The Psych Central Show: Candid Chat On Mental Health & Psychology

Dive into the depths of your past and discover the keys to unlocking your present as we explore the powerful concepts of "family of origin" and “origin wounds.” From the tender moments to the subtle missteps, our early family dynamics shape the very core of who we are. It's not just about trauma or neglect; even the most loving caregivers leave imprints that ripple through our lives. Join us as New York Times bestselling author Vienna Pharaon guides us through the intricate web of relationships, self-worth, and worldview that we inherit from our upbringing. Together, we'll uncover the patterns that stealthily influence our present, and learn how confronting our origin wounds can lead to profound mental health and personal growth. Don't miss this eye-opening journey into the heart of your past, where understanding paves the way to healing and self-discovery. “I'll hear people kind of with the narrative of, well, they did the best that they could, or they were so much better than their parents were to them. Rig

We discuss the importance of starting mental and emotional health conversations with children from a young age, highlighting the benefits for their emotional development and future stability and happiness.  In today’s episode, Rebecca Rolland, a Harvard lecturer and author, emphasizes that these discussions should be ongoing and developmentally appropriate, focusing not only on negative emotions but also on the positive aspects of mental health to build resilience and empathy.  Rolland encourages openness and adaptability in these talks, reassuring children they have support and an open line of communication for any emotional challenges they may face. “Just as children are constantly developing over time in, say, their ability to read, their ability to tie their shoes and do physical things, we want to think about them as developing emotions and emotional vocabulary. We wouldn't tell a 6- or 7-year-old, well, let's talk about the nuances of depression in the same way we would do that with a teenager. That wou

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is a psychometric test used to assess personality traits and psychopathology. It’s also used to determine hiring, promotion practices, and even parole status. However, is a test really able to determine if someone will excel at a job? Today’s guest, Dr. Lindsay Oberleitner, acknowledges that while the MMPI has been revised to better represent diverse populations, it still has limitations, particularly when used in isolation for job screenings. She emphasizes that the test should be one of many tools used to gain insight into an individual, rather than a stand-alone measure for important decisions like employment. While personality tests are very common in workplaces, there is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding them. Listen now to learn more.  “The MMPI should be one piece of a puzzle. I would never, in my own clinical practice, use the MMPI in isolation because I want to know how does it fit in with this broader picture of the individual I'm sitting wi

Today’s guest shares his personal journey with obsessive compulsive disorder, explaining the challenges of getting a correct diagnosis and effective treatment. This is in no small part due to the condition's misunderstood nature and lack of specialist providers. This led our guest, Stephen Smith, to start his company, NOCD, aimed at addressing these deficiencies.  NOCD, an online therapy platform, addresses these issues by offering specialized exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy and has demonstrated success in improving OCD management more efficiently than the standard of care. Individuals seeking help for OCD can learn more and access NOCD's services through their website, NOCD.com, or mobile app, with the option of scheduling a free 15-minute call to discuss therapy options. “The OCD journey is broken in many ways. First, there are issues related to awareness which causes misunderstanding, which causes a misdiagnosis. Second, then people don't really get the trust needed to start treatment. It's

On today’s episode, two members of The Sweet Spot Burlesque discuss why embracing one's sensuality leads to empowerment and self-discovery. They point out that embracing our sensuality doesn’t mean having an affair or joining a swinger’s club, and they encourage us to explore our sexuality without shame and within the context of our values and relationships.  The Sweet Spot is designed to be an inclusive experience, sparking conversations around sex positivity and allowing people to engage with their sensuality in a fun and open environment. Our guests, Ainsley Burrows (founder) and Laurielle Noel (CEO), define “what sensuality and sexuality” means to them and offer easy steps toward increasing the sensuality in your life. Hosted by Gabe Howard. “And whenever we have male dancers, the majority of men would get up and go to the bar or go to the bathroom. When I'm hosting this show, I said, okay, fellas, we're about to have a male dancer on stage, and I know what's happening right now because I grew up in the p

Today’s guest is Morra Aarons-Mele, host of the Anxious Achiever podcast and author of "The Anxious Achiever: Turn Your Biggest Fears into Leadership Superpower." Morra is a renowned expert on the topic of living well in spite of anxiety. In this episode, she discusses the spectrum of anxiety, its role in achievement, and strategies for people to manage anxiety in their personal lives and the workplace. Morra emphasizes the importance of understanding and identifying anxiety, self-advocating in treatment, and shifting workplace cultures to better support those with anxiety. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. “We create workplaces that are designed to use anxiety as a tool to drive performance. By constant surveillance, by not having enough time, by being on Zoom all day, by delivering packages all day without the ability to take a bio break or a lunch break, and by having constant leaderboards that show your progress against others. And then we wonder why people

Why do mental health professionals diagnose mental illness by medical observation and not by something more definitive like a blood test or a brain scan? It’s often pointed out that illnesses like cancer or diabetes have blood or urine tests, scans, and so forth. So why not mental health issues? Join us as our host asks these questions and discusses the state of genomic research with the executive director of the National Institute of Mental Health, Dr. Joshua A. Gordon. Dr. Gordon shares current research, explains the limits of scientific testing, and answers why there isn’t a more definitive test for disorders like bipolar, depression, schizophrenia, and so on.  “Simplifying can be useful because it helps us understand fundamental concepts. Genes cause mental illness. That's true, right? But it's also not wholly accurate. It doesn't tell the whole story. The whole story is genes contribute to mental illness, but so does trauma. So does infection in pregnancy. So does stress because you lost a job. All those

Dating is difficult. Most everyone agrees but most people don’t understand that it can be even more difficult when you live with depression (or other mental health issues). But, just because something is difficult doesn’t mean we don’t want to do it.  When you have depression symptoms, it can feel impossible to find the energy to go on a date, which can lead to feeling even more alone. Join us as today’s guest, therapist Kati Morton, gives some tips on dating with mental illness and mentions that you might not even be ready to date yet. “You mentioned how isolated you felt when you were like, I'm going to be single. I cannot encourage people enough to invest in their friendships. I know with a mental illness, that can even be tricky. But connect with those people because, really, statistically speaking, our friendships last way longer than most of our romantic relationships. So, we need to have that also so we're not putting all of our social connection and fulfillment on one person.” ~Kati Morton, LMFT To le

Even though grief is part of the human condition and we will all experience it eventually, there are a lot of misunderstandings surrounding it. For example, how long should we grieve? Is there a “right” way to grieve? Does the length of time you are grieving show how much you loved the person you lost? Join us as today’s guest, host of the “Mentally Stronger” podcast, Amy Morin, LCSW, answers these questions and more. Amy also shares her personal experiences of grief and some strategies for handling crying in public. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the episode page. “And then we have this other stuff about the stages of grief which most people have heard. So then it kind of leads people to believe that you go through these nice, neat stages and then you can be like, hey, I'm in stage three. This must be almost over, or we don't really know how long it's supposed to last. Companies give you like three days of bereavement time. So then we think, oh, at the end of the fourth day I'm goin

Dave Pelzer endured unimaginable abuse as a child, which he chronicled in the 1995 book, “A Child Called ‘It.’” When he was finally removed from his abusive home at age 12, he weighed 64 pounds and he couldn’t speak because his esophagus had been burned by the ammonia he was forced to swallow. But that was then. How is Dave doing now? Would it surprise you to know that he considers himself to be the most blessed person he knows? Join us as Dave explains how he survived, thrived, and shares his daily philosophy. “I am definitely not saying that child abuse is a good thing, but I'm looking at a bigger picture here. I try to tell people [that] whether it's a divorce or cancer or child abuse, whatever the challenge was, you survived for a reason and hopefully, you survived to be happy. So it's that kaleidoscope of looking through things through a different lens.” ~Dave Pelzer To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our Guest, Dave Pelzer, is the author of nine inspirati

As we head into the New Year, many of us have self-improvement plans for 2024. But what if what you really need is a little time for self-reflection? Join us as today’s guest, “A Million Little Things” and “The Devil Wears Prada” actor Stephanie Szostak, shares the eight self-reflection exercises she created in her new playbook. Listen in to learn more about yourself, which can lead to increased confidence, joy, and meaning. “What do you say to yourself about your story? You know, what? I'm really unlucky. I'm really. What do you repeat in your head about who you are? What's your self-talk? What does your self-talk sound like? We are the authors of our own stories. And if we rewrite the way we talk to ourselves or the story we tell ourselves about our reality, we can really change our reality.” ~Stephanie Szostak To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Stephanie Szostak is an actress and Give an Hour Ambassador who speaks on overcoming failure, being an o

Most people think of ketamine therapy for mental health conditions as being experimental and new. Today’s guest shares that ketamine has been successfully used for mental health conditions for over 20 years and for other medical purposes for decades. The discussion answers important questions like why we are so hesitant about this treatment option when we are so quick to embrace others. Join us as the CEO of Mindbloom tells us about a recent study showing that at-home ketamine therapy is one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and depression.  “I think we've lumped a bunch of these illegal drugs or substances together. Some of them have been shown for a long time to have stunning and profound therapeutic benefits. Seemingly overnight, people have been starting to prescribe or use psychedelic therapies like ketamine therapy. There's that quote: An overnight success is ten years in the making. In this case, ketamine would be 20 years in the making. The first study on ketamine for depression was publish

Have you ever started to cry at work and felt unable to control it? Did this cause you feelings of shame or embarrassment? Similarly, have you ever tried to comfort a co-worker who was crying? For many people, crying — whether themselves or someone else — can be an unwelcome emotional response while in the workplace.  Today’s guest, Alex Wills, MD, shares how to handle crying at work, basic tips for managing emotions, and why crying is so stigmatized but shouldn’t be. Listen now! To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page. Our guest, Alex Wills, MD, is a board-certified psychiatrist. He is a graduate of the Sackler School of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship training in Hawaii with additional training from Columbia University. He is the owner of Perma Mental Health, a private psychiatric practice with offices across Idaho. Alex’s clinical days are spent using the Radical Emotional Acceptance method to help patients heal from issues ranging from past traumas t

This episode is sponsored by NOCD. ERP is widely considered the gold standard treatment for OCD. Unfortunately, very few people with OCD receive this type of therapy due to many external factors. It can take up to 17 years for someone with OCD symptoms to receive any treatment let alone the best one. Also, many people with OCD are unaware of ERP’s existence or how it even works.  We explain what OCD is and is not and address some common reasons people don’t seek help for OCD.  Join us as our host, Gabe Howard, speaks with Dr. Patrick McGrath, the clinical director of NOCD.com, an app-based platform that specializes in bringing ERP to those who need it. Special thanks to NOCD for graciously sponsoring this episode. Learn more at treatmyocd.com. Our guest, Dr. Patrick B. McGrath serves as the Chief Clinical Officer for NOCD, an app-based platform for the treatment of OCD, leading their teletherapy services across the world. He opened Intensive Outpatient, Partial Hospital, and Residential Treatment Programs fo

Dating apps are the most popular way to find romance in America. However, many people believe they cause more issues than they resolve. Some experts have opined that apps can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and rejection, for example. Also, a contingent of people have not tried them and are suspicious about how they work. Join us as Michael Kaye from OkCupid shares some tips for success and what is going on right now in the online dating world. Our host, Gabe Howard (who met his wife on OkCupid), shares his own experiences as well. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Michael Kaye is the Head of Global Communications at OkCupid, one of the world's largest dating apps, where he leads public relations programming, influencer marketing, and social media. Michael has been a leading voice in dating and relationships and has been featured in ABC News, Business Insider, Bustle, CBS, CNN, Cosmopolitan, Elite Daily, Good Morning America, The New York Times, a

In 1980, about 1 in 100 children in the US were taking psychiatric medications. Today, that number is 1 in 10. Even more shockingly, 1% of 3-year-olds in the US are taking psychiatric medications. Across the board, 1 in 5 Americans takes daily psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, and sleeping pills — and these numbers continue to rise.  Presumably, humans haven’t changed in the past 40 years, so why has the way we are treating their symptoms changed? Join us as Dr. David Cohen looks at psychoactive drugs and how their desirable and undesirable effects have been constructed for society through language, policy, attitudes, and social interactions. Today’s two-part episode looks at how we got here, examines the possible implications for our society, and attempts to answer the question, “Is this the best medical treatment available?” Please note, this is part 1 of 2. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. For

In 1980, about 1 in 100 children in the US were taking psychiatric medications. Today, that number is 1 in 10. Even more shockingly, 1% of 3-year-olds in the US are taking psychiatric medications. Across the board, 1 in 5 Americans takes daily psychiatric medications, including antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, and sleeping pills — and these numbers continue to rise.  Presumably, humans haven’t changed in the past 40 years, so why has the way we are treating their symptoms changed? Join us as Dr. David Cohen looks at psychoactive drugs and how their desirable and undesirable effects have been constructed for society through language, policy, attitudes, and social interactions. Today’s two-part episode looks at how we got here, examines the possible implications for our society, and attempts to answer the question, “Is this the best medical treatment available?” Please note, this is part 2 of 2. The first episode is titled "Do We Medicate Normal Behaviors? With Dr. David Cohen (Part

Is your child acting entitled and selfish? Are you worried they are showing signs of narcissism? Some warning signs can include constantly wanting to be the center of attention, never compromising, and continually insisting that things can only be their way.  However, as a parent, how can you tell the difference between a budding narcissist and a child throwing a tantrum? After all, healthy children push boundaries and act out as part of typical development. Join us as our guest, renowned early childhood narcissism expert Dr. Mary Ann Little, explains the difference between usual childhood behavior and potential warning signs. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Mary Ann Little, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who has been in private practice for over four decades. She is currently an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and has served as an adjunct professor in the departments of psychology and special ed

Everyone wants to be happy, but reaching that goal is quite complicated. For example, what does happiness even look like for you? Many of us haven’t defined it in our own minds. Then we get to more complex questions like, is it even possible for humans to truly be happy?   Join us as noted voice-over talent, podcaster, and actress Randye Kaye explains that our goal shouldn’t be happiness; it should be to be happier. She explains why that distinction is important and how we can get there. And, you guessed it, she shares how this can be a much simpler process. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Randye Kaye's passions for theater and improv help her inspire audiences and workshop participants to get human again - Connect, Create, Communicate - so we empower each other to live happier, more meaningful lives. Two bestselling books, Happier Made Simple and Ben Behind His Voices, tie into her work as speaker, radio and podcast host, actress, singer, and men

Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about the power of positive thinking, the mind-body connection, and the realization that many of our limits are self-imposed. Dr. Langer even helps our host with some of his own insecurities and answers the question: "can positive thinking improve hearing loss and the need for glasses?" Dr. Ellen Langer is known as the “mother of mindfulness” and was the first woman to whom Harvard gave tenure in psychology. She is nothing less than psychology royalty. Listen now! To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Our guest, Dr. Ellen J. Langer, was the first woman to be tenured in psychology at Harvard, where she is still professor of psychology. The recipient of three Distinguished Scientists awards, the Arthur W. Staats Award for Unifying Psychology, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Liberty Science Genius Award, Dr. Langer is the author of twelve other books, including the international bestseller Mindfulness, as well as The Power of