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At first glance, perfectionism looks like an asset; however, the same internal drive that fuels greatness can also erode well-being, leaving success feeling empty and unsatisfying. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Heather Wheeler, psychologist and former elite athlete, to explore the psychology of perfectionism in high achievers. In this conversation we cover: 

• Defining perfectionism: What is it and is it ever adaptive?
• Early Conditioning: The role of coaches, parents, and social environments in shaping perfectionistic traits.
• When It Becomes Harmful: How to recognize when a drive towards excellence is tipping into burnout or mental health risk.
• Identity & Performance: How high performers conflate self-worth with performance—and what happens post-retirement.
• Working with High Performers: Navigating some of the specific challenges that can come with working with high performers 
• Perception by others: How perfectionistic high performers can be perceived by others in an untoward fashion and what can be done about it 
• Evolutionary Significance: The potential evolutionary origins of perfectionism
• Unmet Needs: How leveraging awareness of unmet needs, loneliness and a lack of connection within one's broader life can help high performers achieve a higher quality of life 
• Injury & Recovery: How a perfectionistic mindset can both help and hinder the recovery process.
• Mental Health Risks: Links between perfectionism and anxiety, depression, and eating disorders in high performers.
• Values: Facilitating effective discussions with high performers in therapeutic, parenting and coaching contexts 

Heather is one of Canada’s leading experts at the intersection of mental health and high-performance sport. Recognized for her deep knowledge and skill as a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in performance psychology, alongside her passion and enthusiasm for creating change, Heather’s impact is system-wide; including support for athletes, coaches, sport leaders and organizations across all levels of the Canadian sport system. She has been on the leading edge of the evolution of mental health prioritization in sport in recent years, helping build awareness of the unique challenges related to “mental injuries,” including eating disorders. She is adept at driving high-performance cultures through a series of steps and processes that develop the right conditions for people and organizations to grow to their full potential. As Mental Health Lead for Athletics Canada, Swimming Canada and Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, Heather leads the path for early intervention and treatment of athletes and coaches. She is also the psychologist for the HighPerformance Centre – Ontario (HPC-ON), working with the national swim team athletes and coaches and creating a psychologically-informed environment. She has been supporting high-performance and world-class athletes and coaches on their journey up to and including the Olympics and Paralympics since 2008 and is a provider for Game Plan’s Mental Health Network. Heather has over two decades of experience providing psychological assessment and evidence-based treatment to diverse populations, in both private practice and the public healthcare system.  Beyond clinical practice and leadership roles, Heather is a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, known for creating engaging, transformative experiences and workshops related to mental health for high-performers. 

www.heatherwheeler.com 

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Dr. Chris Taplin,a psychiatrist and founder of Ottawa’s TMS Life clinic, joins us for a deep dive into one of the most promising frontiers in psychiatric care: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS. As clinicians, many of us have encountered the heartbreak of treatment-resistant depression — watching clients struggle despite best-practice psychotherapy and pharmacology. TMS offers a non-invasive, evidence-based alternative that is reshaping how we approach these cases. In this conversation, we unpack the science, patient experience, clinical decision-making, and broader implications of this technology. Whether you’re a skeptic, a curious clinician, or already working with neuromodulation, I think you’ll find this a thoughtful, grounded look at where TMS fits in the future of mental health treatment.

Topics We Cover:
🧠 Understanding TMS
– What is TMS, and how does it work?
– FDA-approved indications vs. emerging off-label uses
– How TMS compares to ECT and other neuromodulation tools

🪑 The Patient Experience
– What a typical TMS session looks and feels like
– Common side effects and time course of therapeutic response
– What patients report during and after a course of treatment

🔬 Mechanisms and Research
– What brain mechanisms underlie TMS’s effectiveness?
– Neuroplasticity and circuit-level change
– Emerging biomarkers and predictors of treatment response

🌍 Broader Impacts
– How TMS is shifting the landscape for treatment-resistant depression
– What’s new and exciting in TMS research
– Future directions: Could TMS expand to anxiety, PTSD, or neurological conditions?

⚖️ Practical and Ethical Considerations
– Barriers to access and systemic challenges
– How to assess if a patient is a good candidate
– Ethical issues in offering brain-based treatments

👥 Personal Insights
– Dr. Taplin’s journey into TMS
– A powerful patient success story
– Guidance for clinicians exploring TMS integration

Dr. Chris Taplin, MD, FRCPC is a board-certified psychiatrist and the founder of TMS Life, a leading mental health clinic based in Ottawa, Ontario. He specializes in the treatment of complex and treatment-resistant mental health conditions, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sports-related psychiatric concerns.

Dr. Taplin is a nationally recognized expert in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and completed specialized training in repetitive TMS at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). His clinical approach integrates TMS with evidence-based psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and interpersonal therapy, offering a comprehensive and individualized care model for his patients.

A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Dr. Taplin completed his psychiatry residency in Ontario and has been in independent practice since 2022. He is deeply committed to improving access to innovative treatments and has contributed to academic efforts aimed at enhancing psychiatric education and recruitment.

Outside of his clinical work, Dr. Taplin enjoys spending time with his family, rock climbing, and connecting with nature.

tmslife.com 

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Behavioural activation is one of the best, if not the best treatments for depression. Clinical psychologist and author, Dr. Nina Josefowitz joins us for an in-depth discussion of themes contained in her new book The Behavioural Activation Workbook for Depression.  In this discussion we cover:    

• The basic premise of behavioral activation and how it differs from other depression treatments.
• The negative feedback loop of depression and why it is so challenging to break.
• How behavioral activation addresses the physical and emotional symptoms of depression.
• The role motivation plays in behavioral activation and how individuals can overcome a lack of motivation.
• The difference between the causes of depression and its treatment.
• The importance of individuals assessing their level of depression before starting treatment.
• The purpose of activity monitoring in the context of behavioral activation.
• Common pitfalls people encounter when trying to monitor their activities and mood.
• How detailed activity monitoring should be to be effective.
• Specific examples of mood-boosting activities.
• The importance of identifying personal values when setting goals for managing depression.
• Common avoidance behaviors that perpetuate depression.
• How the physical environment impacts an individual's ability to engage in positive activities.
• Common setbacks individuals face when engaging in behavioral activation.
• Strategies for sustaining progress in managing depression.
• The benefits of combining behavioral activation with medication for a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Nina Josefowitz, PhD, is a clinical psychologist. In addition to her clinical practice, she teaches at the University of Toronto, and has offered training in North America, Asia, and Africa. She is author of numerous professional articles on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and issues related to general clinical practice. Along with David Myran, she coauthored CBT Made Simple and has co authored the new book The Behavioural Activation Workbook Depression (available on Amazon.com). She has appeared in court numerous times as an expert witness in cases involving interpersonal violence. Dr. Josefowitz was on the Council of the College of Psychologists of Ontario for 9 years, and President of the College from 2001-2003. She has published in the area of trauma, cognitive behavior therapy, women’s issues, ethics and clinical psychology.   Dr. Josefowitz is well known for integrating years of clinical experience into a practical, actionable strategies.  

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Treatment resistance/non-response in psychotherapy is a major contributor of disability and loss of functioning among clients as well as a considerable source of  burnout in mental health clinicians.  Renowned psychiatrist and psychotherapist Dr. Allan Abbass joins us for a discussion of treatment resistance/non-response in psychotherapy which includes: 

• how treatment resistance is defined
• the prevalence of treatment resistance in psychotherapy
• structural factors (i.e., the dose of therapy available in public/private settings) that may contribute to treatment resistance
• the biological & social factors that predict treatment resistance  
• clues that treatment resistance may be attributable to an underlying medical condition 
• how psychosocial overlay to prescribing practices could influence treatment resistance 
• the special challenge that adverse early life events pose with respect to creating non-response to treatment
• conceptualization of non-responding clients from a psychological perspective 
• common maladpative therapist responses to treatment resistance in the context of the treating relationship 
• burnout in the context of treatment resistance clients and what can be done to avoid this
• the active ingredients in Intensive Short Term Dynamic Therapy (ISTDP) that help to address some of the unique challenges experienced by non-responding clients
• analogs in CBT to ISTDP that could be leveraged to address treatment resistance
• general tips/perspectives for clinicians relating to treatment resistance in their clients

Dr. Allan Abbass is a psychiatrist, teacher, and researcher. He is a professor of psychiatry and psychology and the founding director of the Centre for Emotions and Health at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. Dr. Abbass has consulted widely with governments, universities, and health agencies on the cost-effectiveness and applicability of short-term psychotherapy.  He has provided over 300 invited presentations around the world as well as ongoing video-recording-based training to professionals in several countries. In addition, he has been awarded many research grants and has over 200 publications.  He is also the author of Reaching Through Resistance: Advanced Psychotherapy Techniques as well as co-author on numerous other books.  Dr. Abbass has been a consultant to the American Psychological Association on the Unified Psychotherapy Project and to the American Psychoanalytic Association, where he serves on the Scientific Committee. He was a board member of the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association. He has been an editorial board member for the American Psychological Association journal Psychotherapy. Dr. Abbass is proud to be the David Malan Professor of Psychotherapy at the Tavistock, London, UK.

http://reachingthroughresistance.com
https://twitter.com/ISTDP
https://www.facebook.com/allan.abbass.7

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Dreams have long been a source of fascination, mystery & intrigue, yet there is now an abundance of scientific evidence to shed light on the origins, nature, and purpose of this captivating aspect of the human experience.  Leading sleep & dream scientists Drs. Antonio Zadra & Robert Stickgold join host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych for an in-depth consideration of many of the themes explored in their new book When Brains Dream.  In this discussion they cover:       

• the experiences that led Drs. Zadra & Stickgold to become interested in studying dreams
• a brief primer on the basic architecture of sleep
• the science around why we dream including an elaborated description of their NEXTUP model (Network Exploration To Understand Possibilities). 
• the surprising importance of daydreaming 
• the origin and neurological basis of hypnogogic hallucinations 
• potential science-based frameworks for dream interpretation
• the neurobiology of why emotions and events in dreams can feel so incredibly powerful and significant
• an in-depth consideration of lucid dreaming 
• sleep & dream disturbance in the context of mental illness
• Drs. Zadra & Stickgold's view on the utility of sleep studies
• exploration of the notion of "epic dreams"
• a brief discussion around the biggest unanswered questions around the science of dreaming

Antonio Zadra, PhD, is a sleep and dream scientist at the Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur's Center for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine and professor of psychology at the Université de Montréal. In addition to numerous publications on sleep, dreams, and dream-related disorders, Dr. Zadra is the co-author of When Brains Dream: Exploring the Science and Mystery of Sleep and the author of The Dreamkeepers, a suspense novel blending sleep science with dream mythology. He lives in Montreal, Canada. 

Robert Stickgold is a professor of psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. He has published over 100 scientific publications, including papers in Science, Nature, and Nature Neuroscience. His work has been written up in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Boston Globe Magazine, and Seed Magazine, and he has been a guest on The Newshour with Jim Leher and NPR’s Science Friday with Ira Flato several times, extolling the importance of sleep. He has spoken at the Boston Museum of Science, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and NEMO, the Amsterdam museum of science. His current work looks at the nature and function of sleep and dreams from a cognitive neuroscience perspective, with an emphasis on the role of sleep and dreams in memory consolidation and integration. In addition to studying the normal functioning of sleep, he is currently investigating alterations in sleep-dependent memory consolidation in patients with schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and PTSD. His work is currently funded by NIMH.

https://antoniozadra.com
https://brain.harvard.edu/?people=robert-stickgold

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It is no secret that working within the mental health care system while rewarding, can at times present significant challenges with respect to the provision of optimum client care as well as the well-being of mental health clinicians themselves.  In this wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Connie Dalton, C.Psych, Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy joins host & colleague Dr. Pete Kelly, C. Psych to reflect not only on the challenges within the mental health care system, but also opportunities for innovation.  In this episode they touch on: 

• consideration of the current situation for therapists in public and private settings with respect to demand for services, community resources available, ability to refer clients to speciality or intensive services etc.
• factors contributing to mental health being the “orphan" of the health care system with disproportionately less resources devoted to mental health despite being a major cause of disability
• candid personal reflections on the emotional experience of working in the mental health system
• identification of, and ideas around navigating competing tensions and values with respect to providing health care within a fee-for-service environment such as private practice 
• potentially self-defeating emotional and behavioural responses of clinicians to constrained resources and feelings of burnout
• the role of, and opportunities for innovation in psychotherapy with an emphasis on a stepped care model of service delivery
• the emergence of iCBT and its role (and limitations) in the innovation landscape  
• reflections on building a private practice that is suited for 2021 and beyond

Dr. Connie Dalton is Clinical Director of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and a Clinical Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa.  She also served at the regional clinical lead for the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program at the Royal Ottawa Hospital from 2018 to 2020. Over the past 15 years, Dr. Dalton has delivered numerous CBT workshops and training seminars in CBT and has actively involved in the supervision and consultation of mental health professionals in CBT including physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists at various stages of training.  She has expertise in the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders and has helped to develop and establish CBT programming at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. Dr. Dalton is currently involved in the development of innovative methods for the delivery of CBT within the community, including home and community-based services, group therapy programs, virtual reality therapy and intensive day treatment programs for mood and  anxiety disorders, OCD and PTSD.

https://www.ottawacbt.ca/dr-connie-dalton

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The emergence and research of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has yielded a number of  insights with respect to potential mechanisms of change in psychotherapy.  The experience of "love" (including perceiving the love of others, self-love or even being love) has been identified as a particularly powerful element in some forms of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy.  In this episode, clinical psychologist, research scientist and author Dr. Adele Lafrance and host Dr. Pete Kelly explore the role of love in psychotherapy including:  

• the personal and professional origins of Dr. Lafrance's interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
• a brief consideration of the kinds of mental experiences reported by clients during psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, including love from others, self-love or being love
• important caveats around safety & potential disruption in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy 
• the difficulty in discussing "love" in psychotherapy both among professionals as well as with clients, with an important focus on what is meant by the term "love" in the context of psychotherapy (i.e., not romantic love), professional boundaries,  client perceptions, working with vulnerable populations etc.
• love as a form of truth & relationship to ideas around consciousness   
• the critical importance of self-love in psychotherapy 
• how clinicians can foster self-love as a way of bolstering self-care

An important disclaimer: today’s episode is for general information only.  Although we are discussing insights gained from formal scientific research of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, it needs to be underscored that psychedelic compounds are powerful psychoactive chemicals that can carry significant risk of harm for certain vulnerable individuals, especially those with active symptoms of psychosis or bipolar disorder or a clinical or a family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder.  Use of these compounds outside of research settings is also currently illegal in many jurisdictions. As such, in the discussion of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy we are in no way endorsing or encouraging the use of psychedelic compounds for any particular individual. If you are interested in further information around psychedelic assisted psychotherapy please see below for suggestions around sources of reputable information around ongoing research trials in this area. 

Dr. Adele Lafrance is a clinical psychologist, research scientist, author and co-developer of emotion-focused treatment modalities, including Emotion-Focused Family Therapy.  A frequent keynote speaker at professional conferences, Adele has published extensively in the field of emotion and health, including a clinical manual on EFFT published by the American Psychological Association. She is passionate about helping parents to support their kids in a way that is informed by the latest developments in neuroscience. The knowledge and tips in her book, What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work is an effort to do just that.  With colleagues, she also makes a wealth of caregiving resources available at no cost at Mental Health Foundations. Adele is also a leader in the research and practice of psychedelic medicine, with a focus on ayahuasca, MDMA, psilocybin and ketamine. Currently, she is a collaborator/clinical supervisor on the Imperial College study for psilocybin and anorexia nervosa. She is a founding member of the Love Project.  Adele has a particular interest in mechanisms and models of healing, including emotion processing, spirituality and family-based psychedelic psychotherapy. She is a frequent contributor in the media relating to emotion, health and the science of psychedelics.
https://dradelelafrance.com
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"Success" is something that many strive for, but a deeper consideration of success yields a number of interesting conundrums and considerations around what success actually means and how one might actually go about achieving it.  Best selling author, management consultant and entrepreneur Mr. Richard Koch sits down with host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych for a discussion around: 

• caveats and conundrums around defining "success"
• signs of healthy vs. unhealthy processes around the pursuit of success
• balancing internal (e.g., meaning) vs. external (e.g., recognition) pulls in the context of success
• the importance of leveraging both self-belief and self-doubt to achieve success
• the importance of process vs. outcome for avoiding stagnation
• a brief summary of the 4 pillars of Richard's roadmap for success 

Richard Koch is a former management consultant, entrepreneur, and writer of several books on how to apply the Pareto principle (80/20 rule) (including the international bestseller "The 80/20 Principle") in all walks of life.  His latest book, Unreasonable Success, outlines a roadmap for success drawn from the life, actions and perspectives of several prominent figures in history from a variety of fields who have realized what Richard has coined “Unreasonable Success”.  Richard has also used his concepts to successfully invest in several private equity investments. Richard’s investments have included Filofax, Plymouth Gin, the Great Little Trading Company and Betfair. Previously he had been a consultant at Boston Consulting Group and later a partner at Bain and Company, before leaving to start management consulting firm L.E.K. Consulting with Jim Lawrence and Iain Evans.

https://richardkoch.net/

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The “classical” model of emotions which emphasizes the innate, universal (and even primitive) nature of emotions has been the basis for psychoeducation provided by clinicians to clients about the nature of their emotional experiences. However, there is a very large body of evidence to suggest that emotions are, in fact, constructed concepts that are “wired-in” by culture and reflect consensus-based social realism rather than innate processes. Acclaimed author, professor,  and neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett joins us for an absolutely fascinating discussion of her constructed model of emotions including:  

• an overview of the classical model of emotions
• an in-depth review of Dr. Feldman Barrett’s constructed model of emotions
• myths about the classical model of emotions that are relevant for clinicians & mental health consumers
• the important role psychotherapy plays in constructing emotion concepts 
• a consideration of the neurobiological mechanics around unconscious processes and actual (vs. theorized) mechanisms of change in psychotherapy
• conceptualizing psychopathology and therapeutic intervention from the lens of the constructed model of emotions
• a neurobiological explanation for the experience of “knowing” one thing, but “feeling” another with implications for therapeutic interventions.         

Lisa Feldman Barrett, PhD, is among the top one percent most cited scientists in the world for her revolutionary research in psychology and neuroscience. She is a University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, with appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. She is also Chief Science Officer for the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior at Harvard University.  In addition to the books Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain and How Emotions are Made, Dr. Barrett has published over 240 peer-reviewed, scientific papers appearing in Science, Nature Neuroscience, and other top journals in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, as well as six academic volumes published by Guilford Press. She has also given a popular TED talk with nearly 6 million views. Dr. Barrett received a National Institutes of Health Director’s Pioneer Award for her revolutionary research on emotion in the brain. She also received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2019.  She is also an elected fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the Royal Society of Canada.

https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/

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There has recently been a tremendous increase in awareness and acknowledgment of the systemic oppression and challenges faced by racialized populations not only generally, but in the context of mental health.  Clinical psychologists Drs. Mandisa Peterson & Jude Mary Cénat join host Dr. Pete Kelly for a very important discussion around:    

• the prevalence and nature of mental health challenges among racialized populations
• the important contribution of chronic stress stemming from racism & intergenerational trauma on mental health in racialized populations
• caveats, conundrums & guidance with respect to employing current diagnostic frameworks with racialized or diverse populations
• examples of the everyday challenges that are faced by racialized populations from the lens of racism and discrimination
• Drs. Peterson &  Cénat’s experiences of racism, both personally & professionally 
• barriers to accessing mental health services among racialized populations
• themes to be aware of around cultural differences that can exist with respect to symptoms, help-seeking etc.
• promoting greater access to diversity in training experiences
• structural racism within mental health settings
• resources that are available to help promote better insight and awareness among clinicians as well as reflections on having difficult conversations

https://mentalhealthforeveryone.ca
https://www.changingmindscanada.org
For a full list of resources related to racism and mental health click here.  Sample resources: 

• Racism in Psychiatry by Morgan Medlock
• Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We’re Not Hurting by Terrie Williams
• How to Provide Antiracist Mental Health Care Free Training Modules
• Manual for CBT for English-Speaking People of Caribbean Origin

Dr. Peterson is the co-founder and director of Changing Minds, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to addressing barriers to accessing evidence-based mental health care in the Ottawa area (changingmindscanada.org).  She provides psychodiagnostic assessments as well as individual and group therapy treatment for diverse adult populations. Her primary approach to therapy is cognitive behavioural and she has experience and training in a number of evidence-based approaches, including dialectical behaviour therapy, mindfulness, and acceptance and commitment therapy. Dr. Peterson has a particular interest and experience working with posttraumatic stress and forensic issues. She is involved in the supervision of doctoral students in clinical psychology. She is also committed to continuing program development and evaluation in the community in an effort to develop more effective and accessible mental healthcare programs.

Dr. Jude Mary Cénat is an Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology and the Director of the Vulnerability, Trauma, Resilience & Culture (V-TRaC) Research Laboratory at the University of Ottawa. His research program explores factors associated with vulnerability, trauma, and resilience, with a particular interest in the role of cultural factors. Dr. Cénat conducts research on racial disparities in mental health and social services, the impact of natural disasters and infectious disease outbreaks on mental health, interpersonal and non-interpersonal trauma, and overall mental health. He conducts research in Nor

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Eating disorders are among the most serious of mental health challenges, and yet are mired in stereotypes, stigma and misunderstanding.  Clinical Psychologist Dr. Meagan Gallagher joins us for an in-depth discussion of eating disorders which covers:  

• How Dr. Gallagher became interested in treating eating disorders from a personal and professional perspective
• An in-depth clinical consideration of the most common eating disorders in adults
• Conceptualizations around the clinical presentation of eating disorders, including misleading stereotypes
• Core-interventions/phased-treatment approaches for eating disorders
• Opportunities & caveats around the integration of family members into treatment
• Managing the special challenges with respect to insight/willingness that can at times characterize eating disorders
• Effectiveness of available treatment and how to shape expectations about outcomes for client and clinician alike
• Addressing "social contagion" considerations around eating disorders as well as navigating unhelpful online influences and communities with respect to eating disorders
• How to help children and adolescents think critically about societal messaging with respect to body types, body ideals etc.  

Dr. Meagan Gallagher is a clinical psychologist who works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families who are experiencing a range of difficulties related to mental health concerns.  She provides psychological assessments and treatment using evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (including Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy and Prolonged Exposure for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Emotionally Focused Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness. Dr. Gallagher has specific interests and extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of Eating Disorders and body image concerns, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Mood Disorders, and adolescent mental health. She is currently in private practice at Integrated Wellness Ottawa.

https://integratedottawa.ca

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Helping clients to develop their own solutions to challenging problems as well as work through a variety of perspectives when considering an important decision are among the most important functions of therapy.  Building on their Applying the 80-20 Rule to CBT episode of Thoughts on Record, OICBT clinicians Drs. Jeff Perron, C.Psych & Pete Kelly, C.Psych explore effective decision making and problem solving from a CBT lens.  In this wide-ranging discussion they cover internal & external factors influencing decision making and problem-solving including:   

• Core beliefs 
• Values & resolving conflict between values
• Self-justification & cognitive dissonance
• Actor-observer bias/fundamental attribution error
• Sunk cost fallacy
• Endowment bias
• Hedonic adaptation
• “Summit fever”/overidentification of goals    
• Affective Realism/Cognitive distortions
• Learning how to engage in constructive conflict 
• Being effective vs. being right
• Decoding hidden incentives/explanations for the behaviour of others
• Mentalizing/Empathy
• A policy of radical personal honesty around observed patterns of behaviour
• Acceptance to reduce suffering

In addition, they review practical tips borne from clinical experience to implement the concepts, tools and strategies described above.   

Dr. Jeff Perron provides clinical psychology services to adults, with a particular focus on the areas of mood and anxiety disorders.  Guided by client goals and presenting concerns, he applies the range of evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, including Schema Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.  Dr. Perron completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa.  He completed his doctoral residency at the OICBT and his doctoral thesis research focused on the development of a measure related to assessment of readiness to change.  He also holds an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and has a background in Human Resources.

https://www.ottawacbt.ca/dr-jeff-perron

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Psychotherapy can be a powerful & transformative experience for the clinician and client alike.  In this episode psychotherapist and author Nicole Arzt, M.S., L.M.F.T.  discusses her new book Sometimes Therapy is Awkward: A Collection of Life Changing Insights for the Modern Clinician.  In this wide-ranging conversation a number of topics central to the process of therapy are addressed including: 

• identifying and managing impostor syndrome/insecurity as a therapist
• reflections on how the provision of psychotherapy can change the therapist
• cultivating an identity as a growth-orientated therapist
• navigating termination and aiming for the "good-enough" good-bye
• managing compassion fatigue and burnout
• the unique challenges faced by new therapists with thoughts on how to best cope
• a brief consideration of how to manage the distress associated with navigating suicide 
• leveraging process related factors and the clinician's own emotional reaction in session to improve their interventions 

Nicole Arzt is a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in providing psychotherapy to individuals, families, and groups struggling with substance use disorders and psychiatric illnesses. She received her master’s of science degree from California State University, Long Beach in 2014. She has extensive experience working in a variety of dual-diagnosis treatment centers, providing services for all levels of care from detoxification to long-term outpatient therapy. Nicole currently works full-time as a therapist, using psychodynamic and humanistic work. A passionate writer, she has authored several scholarly articles, blog posts, and professional research centered on addiction and mental health.

https://www.souloftherapy.com/
https://psychotherapymemes.com/

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Navigating relationships with emotionally immature parents can evoke very strong reactions, which can be difficult to navigate. In many clinician's experience, when this topic comes up, people tend to react in one of three ways: defending their parents as perfect, blaming them for all their struggles, or questioning their own perceptions entirely - all of which can create stuck points. Author and psychologist, Dr. Lindsay Gibson, who has written and lectured extensively on the topic of emotional immaturity joins us for a discussion of some of the core themes covered in her new book “Disentangling from Emotionally Immature People”.  In this discussion we cover:  

• why has this topic been such a focus over her career 
• the kinds of emotional activation in clients can that flow from discussions around emotionally immature parents.
• the key traits that distinguish emotionally immature people from those who are more emotionally mature
• developmental factors that contribute to emotional immaturity in adults
• recognizing emotional immaturity in parents to help adult children heal from past traumas
• the primary coping mechanisms that emotionally immature people use, and how these impact their relationships
• practical steps can adult children take to set and maintain healthy boundaries with emotionally immature parents
• best practices for communicating effectively with emotionally immature parents, especially during conflicts
• considering whether forgiveness is necessary for healing from the impact of emotionally immature parents, and what alternatives exist if forgiveness is not feasible
• how can adult children of emotionally immature parents focus on building healthy, fulfilling relationships outside of their family of origin

Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist with more than thirty years’ experience working in both public service and private practice. Her books—including the #1 Amazon best seller, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents—have sold more than a million copies, and have been translated into thirty-seven languages. In the past, Dr. Gibson has served as an adjunct assistant professor, teaching doctoral clinical psychology students clinical theory and psychotherapy techniques. She specializes in therapy and coaching with adults to attain new levels of personal growth, emotional intimacy with others, and confidence in dealing with emotionally immature family members. Her website is available at http://www.lindsaygibsonpsyd.com.

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Maligned and misunderstood, addiction can present among the greatest clinical challenge to mental health professionals.  In addition, the stigma and shame associated with addiction is a frequent and strong barrier to clients seeking services.  Teaching professor, Chair of the Department of Neuroscience of Carleton University and host of the podcast Minding the Brain Dr. Kim Hellemans joins host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych to discuss:  

• how Dr. Hellemans became interested in the study of addiction
• current thinking around the definition of addiction
• the neurobiological basis of addiction, considering both subcortical and cortical processes
• psychological factors that influence addiction including trauma, state dependent learning, environmental conditions & social connectivity
• is there such a thing as an "addictive personality"?
• fact and fiction around addiction related to behaviour such as gambling, sex, gaming, eating & work
• harm reduction through a neurobiological lens
• some thoughts on how to leverage knowledge of the neuroscience of addiction to reduce stigma and increase access to care

Dr. Kim Hellemans is a teaching professor and the current Chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University. She received her PhD from Queen's University, where her research focused on understanding the biological basis of drug addiction. She later went on to complete post-doctoral positions at Cambridge University and University of British Columbia prior to joining Carleton University in 2008. Dr. Hellemans has received several prestigious awards for her passion and dedication to university teaching. Outside of the classroom, she's the co-host of the popular podcast, Minding the Brain.

https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/

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Forgiveness has been defined in many ways by many traditions. However, a powerful and clinically relevant way of defining forgiveness is as a suite of skills that can be learned to promote a sense of self-efficacy, emotional effectiveness, physical and emotional well-being & resolution of grieving in the aftermath of betrayal, wrongdoings and even trauma.  In this episode with author, teacher, and clinician Dr. Fred Luskin, we discuss the clinical and practical implementation of his forgiveness model as outlined in his best-selling book Forgive For Good.  In this conversation we review:

• the Forgive for Good definition of forgiveness
• the preconditions of forgiveness, including grieving
• how & when a grievance has formed and when this becomes a barrier to moving forward
• forgiveness as a strategy for resolving complicated grief
• the definition and application of the concept of "unenforceable rules"
• the definition and application of the concept of  the "personal and impersonal pain" dialectic and how this concept is critical to conceptualizing our hurts  
• caveats and considerations around forgiveness in the context of trauma
• a brief consideration of the role of forgiveness in helping address clinician burnout/compassion fatigue.

Fred Luskin, Ph.D. is Director of the Stanford Forgiveness Project, an ongoing series of workshops and research projects that investigate the effectiveness of his forgiveness methods on a variety of populations. The forgiveness project has successfully explored forgiveness therapy with people who suffered from the violence in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone as well as the attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11. In addition his work has been successfully applied and researched in corporate, medical, legal and religious settings. He currently serves as a Senior Consultant in Health Promotion at Stanford University and is a Professor at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. He presents lectures, workshops, seminars and training on the importance, health benefits and training of forgiveness, stress management and emotional competence throughout the United States. He is the author of Forgive for Good: A Proven Prescription for Health and Happiness and Stress Free for Good: Ten Proven Life Skills for Health and Happiness with co-author Kenneth Pelletier, Ph.D.

https://learningtoforgive.com/

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Despite its many benefits, psychotherapy can understandably be an intimidating and scary proposition for many.  In this special "fireside chat" edition of Thoughts on Record, host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych  walks you through:   

• common reasons why people don’t, won't (or can’t) engage in therapy and some food for thought around how to think through these challenges
• some of the top reasons to consider engaging in therapy
• observations around what allows someone the best chance to benefit from therapy
• what to look for in a therapist
• what to expect when you start therapy
• what to expect during therapy
• some additional thoughts on the opportunity that therapy presents

While crafted for those listeners who have been thinking about therapy, but who are scared, on the fence or maybe just a little curious and want to learn more, we're also hopeful this podcast might give junior and established clinicians alike some new ideas for thinking about how to talk about therapy with new or prospective clients.

Dr. Pete Kelly is a Clinical Psychologist and Executive Director of Innovation at the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  He provides individual and group treatment to adults for mood and anxiety disorders and is actively involved in developing innovative clinical programming to increase the accessibility and effectiveness of psychological therapies.  He is a Clinical Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa and Adjunct Research Professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Carleton University. In addition to publishing scientific papers and delivering public lectures, Dr. Kelly is co-author of the clinician manual “Treating Psychosis: A Clinician's Guide to Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Compassion-Based Approaches within the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Tradition”. He is also co-author of the Canadian Adaptation of the textbook “Research Methods in Psychology” for Oxford University Press.  Finally, he hosts and produces the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy’s podcast Thoughts on Record. 

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Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa can reflect among the most severe and debilitating forms of mental illness.  In fact, anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any form of mental illness and unfortunately for a subset of clients, all current "gold standard" treatments can prove ineffective.  Dr. Blake Woodside, MD, a pioneer in the revolutionary use of deep brain stimulation for treatment resistant eating disorders joins us to discuss: 

• the history and development of DBS 
• how Dr. Woodside  personally became interested in DBS for eating disorders
• a description of the clinical presentation and prognosis of severe anorexia nervosa 
• the brain areas are typically targeted in DBS and possible mechanism of action
• inclusion/exclusion criteria for a client being considered as a candidate for DBS
• informed consent in the context of DBS 
• how the DBS procedure is undertaken (client preparation, client experience during surgery, recovery etc.)
• combining DBS combined with psychotherapy and medication 
• a review of the typical response rate to DBT
• philosophical considerations around DBS with respect to free will, ethics, human performance etc.  
• future developments and technological advances in DBS and associated techniques

Dr. Blake Woodside’s specialty in psychiatry is the treatment of eating disorders in adults, and family therapy of adolescent anorexia nervosa. He is Medical Director Emeritus, Program for Eating Disorders at the Toronto General Hospital, where he led the inpatient service for 25 years, and Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.  Dr. Woodside is actively involved in research, presently focusing on novel treatments in eating disorders, including Deep Brain Stimulation, Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, and Family-Based Therapy. He has also served in various capacities for the Canadian Medical Association, and the Canadian Psychiatric Association.

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Unraveling the mystery of consciousness, including experiences nested within consciousness such as emotions reflects the leading edge of inquiry in a variety of fields including neuroscience, psychology and philosophy.   Preeminent neuroscientist, author & musician Joseph LeDoux, PhD., a pioneer in the field of brain mechanisms of memory and emotion joins host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych to discuss: 

• Dr. LeDoux's model of emotions, including a comprehensive tracing of the perception of a stimulus through the central nervous system all the way through to the construction of the conscious experience of an emotion.  
• the importance of a sense of self to the experience of emotions.
• the universality of the need to navigate threat contrasted with the very individual or even culturally bound experience of the emotion of fear
• construction of emotional schemas 
• a brief review of the different forms and layers of consciousness
• implications of Dr. LeDoux's model for improving the effectiveness of psychotherapy, particularly exposure based-therapy.
• consideration of how subcortical, unconscious processes interact to produce conscious states from a therapeutic lens.  
• advantages and disadvantages of the evolution of consciousness with a consideration of the implications for the fate of humanity.  

Dr. Joseph LeDoux is the Henry and Lucy Moses Professor of Science at NYU in the Center for Neural Science, and he directs the Emotional Brain Institute of NYU and the Nathan Kline Institute. He is also a Professor of Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone Medical School. His work is focused on the brain mechanisms of memory and emotion and he is the author of The Emotional Brain, Synaptic Self, Anxious and The Deep History of Ourselves. LeDoux has received a number of awards, including William James Award from the Association for Psychological Science, the Karl Spencer Lashley Award from the American Philosophical Society, the Fyssen International Prize in Cognitive Science and the American Psychological Association Distinguished Scientific Contributions Award among many, many others.  His book Anxious received the 2016 William James Book Award from the American Psychological Association. LeDoux is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the New York Academy of Sciences, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. He is also the lead singer and songwriter in the rock band, The Amygdaloids and performs with Colin Dempsey as the acoustic duo So We Are.

https://joseph-ledoux.com
https://www.amygdaloids.com/
http://www.soweare.net

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Many psychotherapists have a number of clients who are taking psychotropic medications to address symptoms of mental illness; however, focused and in-depth didactic training in psychopharmacology as well as how to conceptualize the use of pharmacological strategies in the context of psychotherapy is not a core component of many graduate psychotherapy programs.  Dr. Cary Kogan, C.Psych, a clinical psychologist with a Post-Doctoral Master's degree in clinical psychopharmacology, shares his insights around:

• the value in training in pharmacology for psychologists
• the current prescribing environment for psychologists in Canada & the United States
• current nomenclature/classification around psychotropic medications
• considerations around the use of psychotropic medication e.g., method of administration, side-effects, brand vs. generic etc. 
• current evidence & risks around medications with antidepressant effects
• brief consideration of psychedelic compounds as therapeutic agents
• informed consent around the use of psychotropic medication
• considerations around combining psychotherapy & pharmacological strategies
• the complex relationship between diagnostic systems, prescription practices and conceptualization of mental illness

Episode Disclaimer:  Any discussion of medical treatment is intended as information only and should not be used as a basis for making treatment decisions without consulting with a licensed professional.

Cary Kogan earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from McGill University and Post-Doctoral Master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in the USA. He is currently Professor of Clinical Psychology in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa where he also serves as Director of the Centre for Psychological Services and Research, a community-based mental health training centre. Dr. Kogan teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels including courses on psychopathology and psychopharmacology. His research interests include classification of psychopathology and translational neuroscience with a special focus on neurodevelopmental disorders. Dr. Kogan is a consultant to the World Health Organization, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, for the revision of the Mental, Behavioural and Neurodevelopmental Disorders chapter of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). He has contributed to the development, testing, and international implementation of the clinical descriptions and diagnostic guidelines for mental health professionals.

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Although emotions comprise among the most profound and meaningful of human experiences, they can likewise evoke intense discomfort, avoidance or even phobic reactions.  Effectively matching one's emotional reaction to  the demands of the environment is a central task of every individual - a task which is increasingly difficult in an emotionally avoidant society with an increasing number of "virtual" interactions and cues.  In our discussion today, OICBT clinician Stacey Kosmerly, Ph.D., sits down with host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych to discuss:

• the definition of emotion from a psychotherapeutic/neurobiological lens
• myths around "good vs. bad" emotions
• the  evolutionary purpose of a number of specific emotions (e.g., sadness, fear, jealousy etc.)
• how humans develop challenges around emotion dysregulation & emotional inhibition
• tips for parents/loved ones for understanding and managing the difficult emotional reactions of children, partners etc. 
• the central role of vulnerability in gaining confidence managing strong emotions
• shame as a particularly difficult emotion to address clinically/interpersonally
• managing emotional reactions to our emotional reactions 
• how clinicians can leverage their emotional reactions to improve their effectiveness as clinicians 
• the role social media may be playing in emotional difficulties

Stacey Kosmerly, Ph.D. is clinician at the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  She has a PhD. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Ottawa and an Masters in Applied Psychology from Laurentian University.  Ms. Kosmerly is highly involved in the Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT) Program and the Adult Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Programs at the OICBT. She uses primarily DBT and CBT approaches to therapy, integrating her past training in emotion focused therapy (EFT) and  acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) when appropriate. During her Master’s degree, Ms.Kosmerly worked closely with Dr. Adele Lafrance, one of the developers of Emotion Focused Family Therapy, and was involved in community outreach related to this. Since 2013, she has been involved in delivering workshops on Emotion Coaching, that is, skills for parents and caregivers to respond effectively to their children’s/loved one’s emotions, in community settings. 

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Many mental health clinicians and consumers operate under the assumption that mental illness results from chemical imbalances in the brain. However, a close examination of the evidence strongly suggests that this is not the case. In fact, there is some suggestion that psychotropic medications such as antipsychotics and antidepressants used to treat mental illness may themselves perturb normal neurochemical functioning.  Importantly, pharmacologically inducted alterations in the functioning of core neurochemical systems may have important implications for the maintenance of symptoms and long-term outcomes.  Author & journalist, Mr. Robert Whitaker joins us to discuss the core themes of his 2010 (updated in 2014) book Anatomy of an Epidemic which seeks to not only put the development and use of psychotropic medications in historical context, but also critically examines the long-term impact of these compounds from a data-driven lens.  In this discussion we cover the evidence around neurochemical "imbalances" in the brain,  findings around the the long-term outcome data around the use of antipsychotics & antidepressants  including the possibility of these compounds contributing to relapse and chronicity of illness, a brief consideration of problems associated with anxiolytics like benzodiazepines and finally, a discussion of the kinds of shift in narrative required around mental illness to move our understanding and treatment strategies forward.  Host note: the information discussed in the podcast today should not be taken as medical advice around the use of psychotropic medications and is for general information only.  If you have questions around the pharmacological management of your symptoms, please consult with your medical provider.      

Robert Whitaker is an American journalist and author who has won numerous awards as a journalist covering medicine and science, including the George Polk Award for Medical Writing and a National Association for Science Writers’ Award for best magazine article. In 1998, he co-wrote a series on psychiatric research for the Boston Globe that was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. His first book, Mad in America, was named by Discover magazine as one of the best science books of 2002. Anatomy of an Epidemic won the 2010 Investigative Reporters and Editors book award for best investigative journalism. He is the publisher of madinamerica.com.

https://www.madinamerica.com

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Despite widespread acknowledgment that self-care is an essential component of sustainable practice for mental health professionals, it is an area where many clinicians struggle to implement consistent healthy habits or necessary behavioural change.  In 2019, Drs. Karen G. Dyck, C.Psych and Melissa Tiessen, C.Psych became the co-founders of the website Intentional Therapist and since then, have been actively engaged in efforts to help female mental health professionals find convenient, intentional, creative, and playful ways to incorporate self-care into their lives.  On the podcast  we explore: 

• their motivation to create the Intentional Therapist initiative and how they define self-care
• why they place an emphasis on female mental health professionals specifically & relevant gender differences when it comes to self-care
• key components/messages shared through their newsletter
• aspects of their messaging that have been especially relevant to them personally
• the upcoming Intentional Therapist retreat 
• shifts in their own thinking about self-care since starting the Intentional Therapist
• a broader discussion of self-care beyond the Intentional Therapist

Dr. Karen G. Dyck completed her Master’s Degree in Developmental Psychology at the University of Manitoba and her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of South Dakota.  She was an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Manitoba for 17 years, 4 of which she served as the Director of the Rural and Northern Psychology Programme.  Within this position Karen had the opportunity to work collaboratively with a range of healthcare providers and administrators and to regularly consult with other mental health professionals.  It is within that context that Karen became interested in the topics of healthy workplaces, employee wellness, and self-care.  Karen left her university position in 2014 to pursue private practice and explore other, less traditional, opportunities where she could draw from her training and experience.  Karen has two wonderful bonus children and lives in Anola, MB, with her supportive husband and 18 year old cat, Kittie Pie. 

OICBT Psychologist Dr. Melissa Tiessen completed her Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology at McGill University. She completed a post-doctoral residency in the Department of Clinical Health Psychology at the University of Manitoba within the Rural and Northern Program, where she had the fortunate opportunity to work under Dr. Karen Dyck.  Melissa went on to work as an Assistant Professor in the Department for 2 years, and then moved to Ottawa where she worked for 1 year within the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program of The Ottawa Hospital/University of Ottawa Heart Institute.  This led to a unique opportunity as the Director of the Education Directorate of the Canadian Psychological Association, where Melissa served for 4 years, overseeing the association’s national accreditation and continuing education programs.  Working in the field of accreditation highlighted for Melissa the incredible importance of quality training experiences for psychology students and the necessity of good work-life balance and self-care.  Melissa also had the opportunity to spend some time living abroad, where she was involved with multiple non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting the health and well-being of women and children.  Since 2018 Melissa has worked in private practice.  Melissa lives in Ottawa, ON, with her supportive husband and young son. 

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While Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common experience, it is not a challenge that many individuals - quite understandably - like to talk about or admit to struggling with.  Unfortunately, many sufferers simply “learn to live with it”, but at the expense of flexibility and enjoyment in their lives around travel, commuting, sports, outdoor activities & relationships.  Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy psychologist Dr. Kathryn Sexton joins host and colleague Dr. Pete Kelly to discuss IBS.  Topics covered include current conceptualizations around the causes of IBS (with a special emphasis on stress), stigma as a maintaining and exacerbating factor, the prevalence, symptoms and diagnosis of IBS, differences between IBS and inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD), treatment of IBS from a CBT perspective, the role of acceptance in coping with IBS and finally, medical and alternative treatments for IBS.    

Dr. Kathryn Sexton is registered as a Psychologist (Interim Autonomous Practice) with the College of Psychologists of Ontario and a registered Psychologist with the Psychological Association of Manitoba, practicing in the areas of both Clinical and Health Psychology.  She specializes in cognitive behavioural treatments for anxiety and mood disorders and chronic stress.  Her areas of special interest and experience are in the assessment and treatment of worry/generalized anxiety disorder, health anxiety, and insomnia, and in chronic stress and pain management related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or to immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as IBD.  Dr. Sexton received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Concordia University in Montreal, training in the Anxiety Disorders Laboratory.  She completed her Pre-doctoral Residency at the Clinical Health Psychology Program within the College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.  She conducted further postdoctoral training in the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical and Research Centre at the University of Manitoba and Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.  Dr. Sexton currently sits on the Board of the Canadian Association of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapies - L’Association Canadienne des thérapies cognitives et comportementales (CACBT – ACTCC).  Dr. Sexton is also an active researcher and has published several scientific articles and book chapters on cognitions and behaviours influencing worry/generalized anxiety disorder, health anxiety, and stress in chronic gastrointestinal diseases. 

https://www.ottawacbt.ca/dr-kathryn-sexton

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Assessing & treating adult ADHD can be both very challenging as well as highly rewarding for client and clinician alike. Psychologist & author, Dr. Russell Ramsay joins us for an in-depth discussion of the assessment and treatment of adult ADHD building on themes in his new workbook, The Adult ADHD and Anxiety Workbook.  In this discussion we cover: 

• why Dr. Ramsay wanted to write a workbook focused on both ADHD and anxiety and why individuals with ADHD may be particularly prone to anxiety
• a brief description of the symptom clusters of ADHD and why a dimensional approach can be helpful
• an evolutionary angle to understanding ADHD
• an extensive discussion of tricky diagnostic issues including: nuance around contextualizing the later emergence of childhood symptoms; assessing ADHD in female clients; understanding the impact of "masking" on the presentation of symptoms; the impact of high trait agreeableness and pleasing behaviours on functional impacts; the course of symptoms over the lifetime
• the contribution of undiagnosed ADHD to treatment resistance around other co-morbid conditions
• addressing the interpersonal challenges that can come with ADHD
• understanding rejection sensitivity in the context of ADHD  
• a strengths-based lens on ADHD
• the so-called "ADHD tax"

Comments or feedback?  Email the podcast at: oicbtpodcast@gmail.com

J. Russell Ramsay, PhD, ABPP, is a licensed psychologist specializing in the assessment and psychosocial treatment of adult attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Before embarking on his solo virtual practice, he was cofounder and clinical director of the University of Pennsylvania’s Adult ADHD Treatment and Research Program, where he was professor of clinical psychology in psychiatry. Ramsay is widely published, including five books on adult ADHD; lectures internationally and virtually; and is in the Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD) Hall of Fame. He is from the Greater Philadelphia, PA, area.

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Despite Canadian group insurance plans managing upwards of 35 billion dollars a year, mental health clinicians frequently experience significant frustration with respect to accessing the funds required to effectively treat their clients - especially those with more severe presentations.  Co-founder of Cubic Health Inc., Mr. Mike Sullivan RPh, BSP, MBA joins Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych for an in-depth discussion of how innovations in the management and allocation of funds held in large self-funded insurance plans could hold the key to revolutionizing the treatment of mental illness.  In this fascinating discussion, Mike and Pete discuss the market gaps that led to the development of Cubic Health, the basic organization and components of the insurance industry in Canada, Mike's observations around where the insurance industry has stagnated, especially around the provision of mental health services, the use of analytics in analyzing and optimizing the provision of insurance benefits, trends in psychotropic medication in Canada, innovations in large group plans that could free up millions in financial resources for the effective treatment of mental illness, the responsibilities of clinicians within the insurance system to foster innovation, and finally, consideration of dynamics around short and long-term disability with respect to mental illness.  Mike also shares personal reflections on the stressors (and opportunities) of running a growing business, observations on leadership and some of his favourite books related to leadership, interpersonal effectiveness and growth.  

Mr. Mike Sullivan, co-founded Cubic Heath Inc. in 2003 in an era when start-ups venturing into the mix of technology and healthcare, especially in the world of employee benefits, had limited access to capital. Fast forward 17 years later, there still is not another company in Canada in Cubic’s space, which for those of us concerned with mental health is concerning because it underlines how slow to change the group insurance industry has been traditionally, although as we will discuss, things are really beginning to change.  Cubic has built a proprietary clinical and analytics infrastructure focused on making employee health benefit plans more efficient and sustainable. Cubic's focus as an independent benefit plan analytics and clinical solutions company is the intersection of Mike’s background as a Pharmacist and his post-graduate studies in Finance. Cubic has evolved into the largest clinical team in the employee benefits industry in Canada, supported by a team of talented Data Scientists, Business Intelligence experts, Developers and Information Systems professionals. Cubic’s clients are primarily large single- and multi-employer benefit plans ranging size from 500 to 650,000 employee lives.   A frequent speaker across North America on benefit plan design and management, Mike has also appeared on CBC, BNN, and in the Globe & Mail. He is a regular columnist for Benefits Canada magazine and serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto.

www.cubichealth.ca

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Sports psychology is strongly recognized as an indispensable tool to help athletes achieve maximum performance in high-stakes situations.  However, in addition to facilitating sport-based outcomes, psychotherapy can also help athletes manage the demands and rigours of sport from a mental health perspective.  Former Olympic coach (Canadian Women's Curling) and Clinical Psychologist (Supervised Practice), Dr. Adam Kingsbury outlines his journey into sports psychology, the definition of sports psychology and the kinds of activities undertaken under the rubric of sports psychology, the unique challenges (both ethical & technical) of delivering psychological services in the context of sport, the line between coaching vs. providing psychological services, the potential role for core-belief work/schema therapy in the context of sport psychology and an in-depth consideration of Dr. Kingsbury's Olympic Coaching experience at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics. 

Dr. Adam Kingsbury, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist in supervised practice, is a graduate of the doctoral program in clinical psychology (Ph.D.) at the University of Ottawa.  He is a former Olympic coach (PyeongChang 2018), and a Chartered Professional Coach in the sport of curling. He provides assessment and psychotherapy services with a special interest in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of ADHD, as well as providing services for high performance athletes, physicians, and those in the creative arts (musicians, actors, visual artists, etc.).

https://twitter.com/adska
http://ottawariverpsychology.com/team/adamdoctoral-associate/

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While it is common to hear that we are in the midst of a mental health crisis, a closer examination of the available data strongly suggests that so-called diagnostic inflation may actually be a key contributor to the apparent increase in mental illness.  Dr. Allen Frances, MD, author of Saving Normal: An Insider's Revolt Against Out-of-Control Psychiatric Diagnosis, DSM-5, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary Life speaks with host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych around why it's so hard to define "abnormal" in the context of mental health, a historical consideration of the origin and development of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) (including human factors - politics, pharma etc. - that have permeated the development of the DSM), how DSM-5 has strongly contributed to diagnostic inflation, challenges and caveats associated with the treatment of mental illness with pharmaceuticals, the importance of psychotherapy in the treatment of mental illness and whether (and how) the DSM might be reformed.  Dr. Frances also provides a psychiatrist's perspective on Trump and the psychological and societal factors that have allowed Trump to ascend to power. 

Allen Frances, MD, is professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Frances was the chairman of the DSM-IV Task Force and a member of the leadership group for DSM-III and DSM-III-R. He is the author of the award-winning international bestseller Saving Normal, as well as Twilight of American Sanity: A Psychiatrist Analyzes the Age of Trump and the reference work Essentials of Psychiatric Diagnosis. He lives in San Diego, California.

https://twitter.com/AllenFrancesMD

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While frequently unpleasant in the short-term, adversity often contains our best opportunities for personal growth.  Newfoundland adventurer, videographer, teacher and author Justin Barbour shares the perspectives he has gained from a number of month to nearly three-month solo expeditions by canoe, kayak, and/or on foot in the rugged wilderness of Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada. We discuss the balance between documenting his expeditions vs. remaining present in the moment, navigating uncertainty under high stakes situations, coming back from "unforced errors", the confidence that can be derived from navigating adversity, the impact of lack of sleep and fatigue on both psychological and physical resources, the gifts and drawbacks of isolation, potential lessons for overall wellness derived from his expeditions, his motivation for sharing his adventures, and the psychological impact of having his dog, Saku, along for the adventure.  Host note: Justin's spirit and resilience in the face of adversity makes me proud to be a Newfoundlander! 

Justin Barbour, author of Man and Dog: Through The Newfoundland Wilderness (Flanker Press, 2019), was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and grew up in the rural community of Bauline until his early teens. His family then moved to St. John’s, where he went to school and played hockey competitively until moving away to Miramichi, New Brunswick, to suit up in the Maritime Junior A League for four years.  Upon returning to Newfoundland, Justin completed a Bachelor of Physical Education and Bachelor of Education at Memorial University. During that time he played in the Newfoundland Senior Hockey League for seven years before moving away to Cartwright, Labrador, to teach K-12 physical education and science for a year.  He is a provincial champion in high school hockey, AAA Midget Hockey, Men’s A Ball Hockey, and he has won a Herder Memorial championship with the Grand Falls–Windsor Cataracts in 2015.  Justin is an adventurer, teacher, writer, public speaker, and he runs a successful YouTube Channel that documents his expeditions. He credits growing up in the woods of Bauline for making him the independent and passionate outdoorsman he is today.  Since 2017, Justin has travelled over 2,000 kilometres in the wilderness of Newfoundland and Labrador, accompanied by his Cape Shore water dog, Saku. In 2018 he was sponsored by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society for an expedition in Labrador, and he wrote about it for Canadian Geographic upon his return. He has been asked to speak in places as far away as Ontario.  Justin Barbour lives in Grand Falls–Windsor with his fiancée, Heather, their malamute husky, Bear, and the famous Cape Shore water dog, Saku.

https://newfoundlandexplorer.com/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5B2uAeVKGu0-68fsFPG5VQ
https://www.instagram.com/nlexplorer88
https://twitter.com/NLExplorer88

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Borrowing heavily from Eastern psychology, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) is currently among the most popular CBT approaches to a variety of human challenges.  Dr. Robyn Walser, Ph.D., a prominent Clinical Psychologist who has published extensively around ACT in a variety of clinical contexts joins host Dr. Pete Kelly, PhD. for a discussion of the origins of ACT, the six core components of ACT with a special focus on willingness, ACT in the context of culturally bound narratives related to psychological pain, ACT as framework for guiding the psychotherapeutic process itself as well as a brief consideration of ACT as a treatment for moral injury in the context of trauma. 

Dr. Robyn Walser is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of TL Consultation Services and co-director of the Bay Area Trauma Recovery Center and staff at the National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division. As a licensed psychologist, she maintains an international training, consulting and therapy practice. She is an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has co-authored 4 books on ACT including the recently released The Heart of ACT: Developing a Flexible, Process-Based, and Client-Centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy  as well as The Moral Injury Workbook: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Skills for Moving Beyond Shame, Anger, and Trauma to Reclaim Your Values.  She also has expertise in traumatic stress and substance abuse and has authored a number of articles, chapters and books on these topics. Dr. Walser has been described as a “passionate, creative, and bold ACT trainer and therapist” and she is best known for her dynamic, warm and challenging workshops. She is often referred to as a clinician’s clinician.

http://www.tlconsultationservices.com/

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It's hard these days to pick up a magazine, browse the internet or peruse the self-help section without coming across "mindfulness"; however, there are frequently deep misunderstandings with respect to the correct definition, framing, application and utility of mindfulness in addressing mental health concerns as well as overall wellness.  Co-director of the North American Chapter of the Mindfulness-Integrated CBT (MiCBT) Institute, Dr. Alia Offman, C. Psych, discusses the clinical path that led her to become interested in MiCBT, the operational definition of mindfulness, core-skills of mindfulness, the structured four-stage therapeutic approach employed by MiCBT including discussion of specific interventions where mindfulness and CBT skills are combined, reconceptualizing mindfulness as an exposure-based intervention, the evidence for MiCBT as well as the neurobiology of MiCBT.   

Dr. Alia Offman is a registered psychologist in Ontario, Canada providing counselling and professional training services using MiCBT. She obtained her doctorate in research psychology at Carleton University, a Master's in Education at the University of Ottawa, and post-doctorate training as a counselling psychologist.  Alia is the Co-director of the North American Chapter of the MiCBT Institute. She has been a Contract Instructor at Carleton University for over ten years teaching in the psychology department. She has supervised their fourth year Honours Projects course, taught a fourth year seminar course in The Psychology of Human Sexuality and undergraduate courses in The Psychology of Women, Statistics and Social Psychology. She has also taught in the education department at the University of Ottawa as a sessional lecturer. She is currently teaching a fourth-year course in Mindfulness and Well-being. Alia is a published researcher with the majority of her work focused on adult populations, studying such diverse areas as workplace productivity, the impact of discrimination on health, communication in relationships and the effects of relationship violence on self-esteem. She was an Associate Researcher at Carleton University and a Research Associate with the Ottawa Health Research Institute.  For many years she volunteered with Planned Parenthood Ottawa and she was recognized for her work in the field of human sexuality and was awarded the Norman Barwin Scholarship from the Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada.  https://self-balance.ca

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Many clinicians are increasingly of the view that an evolutionary lens is essential for a true and deep understanding of the conceptualization and ultimately treatment of mental illness. Dr. Randolph Nesse, MD, one of the founders of evolutionary psychiatry and author of the book Good Reasons for Bad Feelings sits down with host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych to discuss a wide range of topics including the principles of evolutionary medicine and psychiatry; the impact of an evolutionary lens on the conceptualization of mental illness; considerations of dynamics related to the genetics of mental illness; helpful as well as unhelpful aspects of unpleasant emotions, particularly with respect to depression; the impact of repeated exposure to stress on mental health; the impact of clinical content on mental health professionals; considerations around medication from the view of an evolutionary psychiatrist and finally, achieving a sense of meaning in modernity.  

Randolph M. Nesse, MD, is a founder of the field of evolutionary medicine and co-author with George C. Williams of Why We Get Sick. He served for many years as Professor of Psychiatry, Professor of Psychology and Research Professor at the University of Michigan. He was the Founding Director of the Center for Evolution & Medicine at Arizona State University and Foundation Professor in the School of Life Sciences from 2014 to 2019, where he is now a Research Professor.  He is a Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science, a distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and an elected Fellow of the AAAS.

https://www.randolphnesse.com

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It is increasingly recognized that psychological factors play a paramount role in the development and expression of physical symptoms including chronic pain.  Mind-body Syndrome (MBS), a collection of commonly experienced physical symptoms caused by patterns of neurological response to stress and emotional reactions to stressful situations, provides an evidence-based framework for understanding the impact of psychological factors on physical symptoms.  Dr. Howard Schubiner, MD, a pioneer in the field of Mind-Body medicine discusses the characteristics, mechanism and risk-factors for MBS, personality features that may be linked to MBS, the process of acculturating clients to the MBS model, the impact of cultural narratives on the development and expression of MBS symptoms, the treatment of MBS, and finally, considerations around medication in the context of MBS.  Listeners of this episode will definitely want to check out our previous podcast with Dr. Allan Abbass, where we explore in-depth Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Therapy - a form of psychotherapy that has proven particularly effective with respect to treating MBS.  

Dr. Howard Schubiner is board-certified in pediatrics, adolescent medicine, and internal medicine. He was a full Professor at Wayne State University for 18 years and now works at Providence Hospital in Southfield, MI. He is a fellow in the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Society for Adolescent Medicine. Dr. Schubiner is known as a national expert in ADHD in adolescents and adults as well as mindfulness meditation and stress reduction. He has authored over 60 publications in scientific journals and books and performed research in the fields of adolescent health, ADHD and stress reduction. Dr. Schubiner is on the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Adolescent Health and the Journal of Attention Disorders. He has given over 250 lectures to scientific audiences regionally, nationally and internationally on topics related to adolescent medicine, ADHD, and stress reduction. He has been granted funds to conduct research studies of over several million dollars in total. Dr. Schubiner is the founder and director of the Mind Body Medicine Program at Providence Hospital. This program uses the most current research methodologies to treat individuals who suffer from the Mind Body Syndrome (MBS) or Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) as described by Dr. John Sarno. Dr. Schubiner has created a program that uses both meditative and cutting edge psychological techniques to help individuals with chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia, whiplash, back and neck pain, myofascial pain, TMJ syndrome, tension and migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder syndrome, insomnia, anxiety, and other related conditions.

https://www.unlearnyourpain.com/

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Despite maternal mental health having potentially wide-ranging and deep impacts on individuals, families and society in general, constructive and supportive discussion of maternal mental health is often hampered by "myths of motherhood" and an atmosphere of judgment perpetuated on social and other media.  Drawing from her extensive clinical experience, OICBT Clinical and Health Psychologist Dr. Natasha Ballen provides a master class level overview of maternal mental health including i) the definition of maternal mental health ii) risk factors for challenges related to maternal mental health iii) common clinical manifestations of maternal mental health including postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder iv) tips for accessing social support v) challenges around infertility vi) the psychological impact around loss of a pregnancy vi) impact of postnatal period on the mental health of the partner both in heterosexual and same sex couples as well as vii) addressing issues related to use of psychotropic medication during pregnancy as well as breastfeeding.   

Dr. Natasha Ballen is a Clinical and Health Psychologist at the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy who provides individual, group, and couples therapy treatment to adults. She uses primarily a cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) approach, however she also has training and experience in other approaches including experiential, interpersonal, and dialectical behaviour therapy. She treats a wide variety of problems, including mood and anxiety disorders, personality-related problems, health issues (e.g., coping with acute and chronic medical problems, health-anxiety), and women’s health concerns. An area of special interest and experience is in the assessment and treatment of psychological issues related to pregnancy and postpartum adjustment (e.g., postpartum depression and anxiety, “baby blues”).

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While many individuals are able to quickly lose weight through a variety of means, maintaining weight loss over time has proven to be elusive. Dr. Lesley Lutes, R. Psych joins host Dr. Pete Kelly, C. Psych to discuss Small Changes - an innovative evidence-based CBT approach to weight loss and lifestyle change that Dr. Lutes has developed and studied extensively.  In the course of this discussion Drs. Lutes and Kelly discuss why behavioural change is so hard, consider the factors that contribute to obesity from a biopsychosocial perspective, outline the Small Changes treatment approach including its underlying theory, core interventions, integration of values and evolutionary underpinnings, discuss the impact of trauma and other forms of psychological distress on eating, elucidate the link between mental health and obesity as well as consider how parents might discuss concerns around health and weight with young children and adolescents. 

Dr. Lesley Lutes is a Professor and Director of Clinical Training at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan. Dr. Lutes is a registered psychologist whose area of research is in developing innovative behavioral treatment interventions focused on lifestyle change. Much of her research has been in developing an evidence-based new treatment approach called Small Changes, which has resulted in international recognition, national awards, and policy changes. She has secured more than $5 million dollars of research funding to date, helping her publish over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and deliver over 100 community and conference presentations. Dr. Lutes is the supervisor of the healthy weight specialty service in the Interprofessional clinic at UBC Okanagan, working with graduate student clinicians to help individuals achieve positive behavior changes related to weight loss and long-term weight loss maintenance, binge eating treatment, and other factors impacting health and well-being through group or individual therapy. Dr. Lutes values student training, mentorship, caring for patients, developing evidence-based treatments to help improve individual’s health and well-being, and developing policy and systematic change for people to access mental health and health behavior change services. https://www.thecorelabubc.com/drlesleylutes

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Many clinicians experience a sense of helplessness around effectively managing calls from loved ones of an individual living with a mental illness who is not willing to engage in treatment.  There is frequently an impression that little can be done until the affected individual wants to change.  Dr. Alec Pollard joins us for a discussion of he and his co-authors new book "When a Loved One Won't Seek Mental Health Treatment".  In this conversation we cover:    

• why Dr. Pollard and co-authors wanted to write this book
• the challenge for clinicians in fielding calls from loved ones seeking treatment for a loved one who is not motivated to engage in change
• where traditional approaches to a treatment avoidant loved one have fallen short
• operationally defining "treatment avoidance" through a lens of non-blame
• teasing apart the impact of symptoms vs. treatment avoidance
• understanding how the loop of accomodation-minimization within the "family trap" can keep an individual stuck in treatment avoidance
• contextualizing the counterintuitive impact of accommodation 
• considering the extent to which family members are realistically positioned to provide assistance to family members given the complexities involved and the slippery slope of the family trap
• parallels to the family trap within the client-therapist relationship
• the line between clear, transparent boundaries and minimization on the part of the family member and the temporal course matters
• why their approach focuses almost exclusively on the family member as opposed to the loved one that won't seek treatment
• creating a recovery friendly environment
• the complications that personality challenges in either a family member and/or client can present
• understanding when a family when should enlisting professional assistance
• how to discuss this conundrum with a family member who calls for assistance with a loved one

C. Alec Pollard, PhD, is founding director of the Center for OCD & Anxiety-Related Disorders at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute, and professor emeritus of family and community medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine. He is a licensed psychologist with a special interest in the study and treatment of individuals with anxiety and emotional disorders who refuse or otherwise fail to benefit from evidence-based treatment. Pollard, codeveloper of the family well-being approach (FWBA), has authored or coauthored more than one hundred publications and leads the Family Consultation Team at Saint Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute.

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The Pareto Principle or "80-20 Rule" states that whether it be in sports, economics or health care, only 20% of inputs are responsible for 80% of a given outcome. Dr. Jeff Perron, C.Psych and host Dr. Pete Kelly, C.Psych explore this principle in the context of CBT where they identify those strategies and interventions which they feel provide the greatest value proposition for both clients and clinicians. In the course of this discussion Drs. Perron and Kelly outline cognitive restructuring, core belief work, acceptance & commitment therapy, contentedness vs. happiness, mindful awareness, problem-focused coping, sleep hygiene, behavioural activation, and radical acceptance.

Dr. Jeff Perron provides clinical psychology services to adults, with a particular focus on the areas of mood and anxiety disorders.  Guided by client goals and presenting concerns, he applies the range of evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, including Schema Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.  Dr. Perron completed his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of Ottawa.  His pre-doctoral residency was completed at the OICBT and his doctoral thesis research focused on the development of a measure related to assessment of readiness to change.  He also holds an MBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and has a background in Human Resources.

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OICBT clinician Dr. Kiran Vagada, C.Psych joins us to discuss a number of aspects of mindfulness including the definition of mindfulness, the evidence around mindfulness as therapeutic intervention, common myths around mindfulness, the "dark side" of mindfulness, the neurobiology of mindfulness as well as selected tools and strategies to help develop and stick with a mindfulness practice.  We also briefly touch on theories of consciousness as it relates to the practice of mindfulness.  

Dr. Kiran Vadaga, C.Psych, obtained his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Concordia University and completed his pre-doctoral internship at the McGill University health care centre. He provides psychodiagnostic assessment and treatment for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), mood and anxiety disorders, and chronic pain. He also works with clients who have interpersonal difficulties. Kiran uses an integrative approach to therapy drawing from cognitive, behavioural, interpersonal, and mindfulness traditions.

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Dr. Charles Raison, MD, joins us in a wide-ranging discussion of depression from an evolutionary lens considering the role of inflammatory processes in the pathophysiology of depression; the potential adaptive role of depressive symptoms in the face of adverse environmental circumstances; potential pitfalls with respect to current diagnostic conceptualizations of depression; unintended side-effects of treatment of depression with antidepressants; and, the opportunity to leverage difficult circumstances for personal growth.  We also briefly touch on emerging evidence around psychedelic compounds in the treatment of depression as well as the potential utility of meditation practices.     

Dr. Raison is the Mary Sue and Mike Shannon Chair for Healthy Minds, Children & Families in the School of Human Ecology and a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Dr. Raison has written and published over 100 scientific papers as well as over 20 review papers and editorials. Chapters he has written have been featured in over 30 books, and he has written two books, most recently The New Mind-Body Science of Depression. The recipient of several teaching awards, Dr. Raison has received research funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His visionary work focuses on the treatment of depression in response to illness and stress, translating neurobiological findings into novel interventions. In addition to his activities at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Raison is the mental health expert for CNN.com.

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Dr. Allan Abbass sits down to discuss Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) in the treatment of a variety of psychological difficulties.  We discuss the framework of ISTDP, conscious vs. unconscious anxiety pathways, patterns of body response that correlate with different types of emotional responses, where CBT and ISTDP overlap and where they may diverge and finally, the evidence base for this method.  We also briefly discuss how medication can augment but also impede psychotherapy. 

Host note: We will be offering a 6 week essentials of CBT workshop that I will be facilitating beginning March 24, 2023.  For more information and registration, please visit: https://www.ottawacbt.ca/news.  

Dr. Abbass is a psychiatrist, teacher, and researcher. He is a professor of psychiatry and psychology and the founding director of the Centre for Emotions and Health at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Canada. He has consulted widely for governments, universities, and health agencies on the cost-effectiveness and applicability of short-term psychotherapy. Dr. Abbass has provided over 300 invited presentations around the world as well as ongoing video-recording-based training to professionals in several countries. In addition, he has been awarded many research grants and has over 250 publications including his 2 books Reaching through Resistance and Hidden from View. He has won several awards and recognitions for education and research.  He is currently the President of the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association. He is proud to be the David Malan Visiting Professor of Psychotherapy at the Tavistock Institute, London, UK.

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Dr. Bruce Hubbard PhD is a clinical psychologist based in New York City who developed tinnitus, hyperacusis and high-frequency hearing loss in 2005. After many months of struggle, he was encouraged to learn that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), the treatment for stress and trauma he’d practiced his entire career, was the most researched, clinically-proven approach to tinnitus. Armed with his own expertise in CBT and having read everything he could about tinnitus, he guided himself through a successful course of CBT.  Since then he’s guided hundreds of clients, many with severe tinnitus, in applying CBT to achieve high levels of habituation and resume full, valued lives with tinnitus. He founded CBT for Tinnitus, LLC, to help people apply principles and strategies of cognitive behavior therapy to address tinnitus and related hearing issues.  Dr. Hubbard is a Visiting Scholar at Columbia University - Teachers College, Past-President of the New York City Cognitive Behavior Therapy Association (NYC-CBT) and Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).  https://www.cbtfortinnitus.com/

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Drs. Natasha Bouchard, C.Psych & Drs. Pamela Quintana, C.Psych discuss the delivery of CBT using Virtual Reality (VR) technology. We discuss the evidence for VR therapy, the neurobiological mechanisms by which VR may work, common applications of VR in the context of CBT, tips & tricks for clinicians and finally, equipment requirements and technical considerations.  

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Dr. Jennifer Karp, C. Psych discusses pathways to becoming a resilient parent through consideration of self-care, self-compassion, building a village of support, modelling acceptance of uncertainty, the importance of accepting all emotions (especially our own) and the value of staying calm and not taking things personally.  

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Dr. Melissa Tiessen, C.Psych and Dr. Karen Dyck, C.Psych, founders of www.intentionaltherapist.ca, speak to self-care for mental health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

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Eve Blouin, Ph.D. is a Positive Psychologist located in Ottawa, Canada.  We had a wide ranging conversation on creativity, flow states, crafting meaning and self-actualization.  You can learn more about Dr. Blouin's work here: https://bevycreative.com.  You can also visit her on her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Xd0ky89YFiYCA-TplB1GQ

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Dr. Cathy Dandurand, C. Psych and Dr. Pete Kelly, C. Psych embark on a discussion of the amazing book The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking by Oliver Burkeman only to find themselves pulled into an epic exploration of existential and meaning-based issues relevant to clinical work and life. 

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Dialectical behavior therapy or DBT is a wonderful suite of tools that help people to be more effective with respect to managing their emotions and becoming more interpersonally effective.  These are challenges that often loom especially large for those who are highly sensitive.  Emma Lauer, LCSW joins us for a discussion of her workbook DBT Skills for Highly Sensitive People.  In this conversation we cover:   

• what inspired Emma to speak about the implementation of DBT in a way that is tailored specifically to sensitive individuals.
• defining a highly sensitive person in the context of mental health and therapy and how this construct has been empirically defined.
• tell-tale life experiences that are typical of a highly sensitive individual.
• the biggest myths, misconceptions or “lore” about highly sensitive people.
• contrasting sensitivity with weakness.
• why emotional sensitivity can be a super power.
• current self-defeating cultural narratives, behaviours and values around emotional experiences.
• the unique challenges that highly sensitive individuals face that DBT can help address.
• distress tolerance vs. an unhealthy escape from difficult emotions.
• the importance of the so-called "window of tolerance" and top strategies for expanding the window of tolerance.
• some of the unique interpersonal challenges that highly sensitive people experience and how DBT can help to address this.
• managing uncertainty as a central challenge of managing a highly sensitive temperament.
• Laura's favourite emotion regulation strategies.
• some of the challenges of implementing mindfulness for highly sensitive individuals. 

Emma Lauer, LCSW, is a therapist specializing in the treatment of eating disorders, self-harming behaviors, and trauma. Emma is an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-certified therapist, an EMDR Consultant-in-Training, and she has taught both undergraduate and graduate-level courses at Arizona State University. She currently practices therapy and oversees interns and other staff therapists as clinical supervisor at Find Your Shine Therapy, a group private practice in Tempe, AZ.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/emma-lauer-tempe-az/418090

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Dr. Corace is the Director of Clinical Programming and Research in the Substance Use and Concurrent Disorders Program and the Executive Lead of the MindAbility Program at The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at University of Ottawa, an Adjunct Research Professor at Carleton University, a Clinical Investigator with the Institute of Mental Health Research, and a Clinical Health Psychologist. Working at provincial, national, and international levels, her work focuses on improving treatment access and outcomes for vulnerable populations struggling with substance use and mental health co-morbidities, with a focus on developing collaborative care models. She contributes her expertise to numerous standards and guidelines committees as well as policy development initiatives to improve mental health and addictions care, including serving as the Canadian representative to the United Nations (UN) Office on Drugs and Crime Expert Group on the Treatment of Drug Use Disorders in people affected by Mental and Somatic Co-morbidities. She was the recipient of The Royal’s 12th Annual Inspiration Award in the Young Researcher Category (2015). In 2013, the Ontario Ministry of Health Innovation Fund awarded the “Best Innovation in Mental Health Care Delivery” to Dr Corace and her colleague for our Regional Opioid Intervention Service. Dr. Corace is the President Elect of the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), and Chairs the CPA Opioid Crisis Task Force.

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Dr. Monson is a Professor of Psychology at Ryerson University in Toronto, ON. Dr. Monson is one of the foremost experts on traumatic stress and the use of individual and conjoint therapies to treat PTSD. She has published extensively on the development, evaluation, and dissemination of PTSD treatments more generally. She is a Fellow of the American and Canadian Psychological Associations and was inducted into the Royal Society of Canada.  Dr. Monson has co-authored 7 books, including the treatment manuals Cognitive Processing Therapy: A Comprehensive Manual and Cognitive-Behavioral Conjoint Therapy for PTSD. She has published over 150 peer-reviewed publications and chapters. Dr. Monson is well-known for her efforts in training clinicians in evidence-based assessments and interventions for PTSD.

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Dr. Robichaud is a psychologist at the Vancouver CBT Centre, an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC), a clinical instructor in the UBC Department of Psychiatry, and a clinical associate in the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser University (SFU).  Dr. Robichaud’s area of specialization is cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders, with a special emphasis on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). She has published numerous scientific articles and book chapters, as well as co-authored three books on CBT and GAD and excessive worry, for both mental health professionals and consumers.  Dr. Robichaud is a former President of the Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CACBT) and is CACBT certified as an expert in the provision of CBT. She was on the Anxiety Canada Board of Directors from 2006 to 2010, and now serves as a Scientific Committee Member with Anxiety Canada.