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

What are boundaries, exactly, and how do we know if we have good ones? What types of things keep us from setting good boundaries — and how do we set them in the first place? Join us as today’s guest teaches us how to be a “Boundary Boss,” and explains why women often have extra challenges when it comes to understanding and setting boundaries. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page here. Guest BioTerri Cole is a New York-based, licensed psychotherapist, relationship expert, and founder of Real Love Revolution, Boundary Bootcamp, and the co-founder of Crushing Codependency. Her female empowerment courses reach women in over 90 countries. She has been featured as an expert therapist and master life coach on A&E’s Monster In-Laws, TED X, The Lisa Oz Show, Real Housewives, and had a weekly radio show on Hay House Radio. Plus, she’s a regular contributor to The Huffington Post, Positively Positive, The Daily Love, Well+Good, and has been featured in Italian Elle, Forbes, Origin,

If you’ve never had a panic attack, it can be hard to understand. The worry, the anxiety, the physical sensations — What is going on? If you have had a panic attack, you’ve probably gone to great lengths to avoid another... and probably failed. If you have, or suspect, that you’ve experienced anxiety in any form, or just want hints and tips to better manage anxiety, anxiety attacks, or panic attacks, this is the episode for you. Join us as the Anxiety Sisters, Abbe and Maggie, explain what anxiety is, give us some tips for combating it at any level, and let you know you’re not alone. To read the transcript -- or learn more -- visit the show's official episode page here. Guest Bio Abbe Greenberg and Maggie Sarachek are trained counselors, mental health advocates, researchers, educators, writers, and long-time anxiety sufferers. In 2017, they launched their online community, which now includes more than 200,000 people in 200+ countries and territories. Together, the Anxiety Sisters write an award-winning blog

“Donald Trump is a textbook narcissist.” We’ve all heard that many times over the past 6 years. But what, exactly, does that mean? What is a narcissist? And what makes mental health professionals believe that our former president is one?  Join us as Dr. Karyne Messina from Suburban Hospital | Johns Hopkins Medicine discusses narcissism, as well as her book, “Aftermath: Healing from the Trump Presidency.” To learn more, or read the transcript, visit the shows official episode page here. Guest BioDr. Karyne Messina is a psychologist and psychoanalyst. She’s also on the medical staff of Suburban Hospital—Johns Hopkins Medicine. Her books include: “Misogyny, Projective Identification and Mentalization: Psychoanalytic, Social and Institutional Manifestations,” “Aftermath: Healing from the Trump Presidency,” “Aftershock: How Populism and Projective Identification are Changing the Political Landscape Around the Globe,” and “It's Not Me, It's You! How Narcissists use Projective Identification to Get What They Want an

Television’s Jenn Lyon is beautiful and famous; from the outside looking in, she seems to have it all. But Ms. Lyon has a serious eating disorder that, while in recovery, still impacts her daily life. Join us as the “Claws” star shares her lifelong struggle with food and dieting. We also discuss how the smoke and mirrors of Hollywood contribute to diet culture and how that culture affects every aspect of American life — especially for women. Visit the official episode page here to learn more -- or read the transcript. Guest Bio Jenn Lyon stars as Jennifer in the hit TNT series “CLAWS,” opposite Niecy Nash, returning for its fourth and final season this December.    Jenn has graced both stage and screen, starring opposite the likes of Timothy Olyphant in “Hold On To Me Darling,” and as his love interest in FX’s “Justified,” (seasons three and four). She also starred opposite George Lopez and Danny Trejo in the sitcom “Saint George.” Having struggled for many years with an eating disorder that almost ended her

It’s that time of year again — the holidays are upon us! We all want that to mean family, parties, and good cheer. But what if that isn’t working out for you? What if you have trouble getting along with your family or you have trouble navigating drinking at holiday parties? Join us as Dr. Nicole Washington helps us out with some quick hints and tips for surviving the holiday season. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- visit the official episode page here. Guest BioDr. Nicole Washington is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she attended Southern University and A&M College. After receiving her BS degree, she moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to matriculate at the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed residency in psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa. Since completion of her residency training, Dr. Washington has spent most of her career caring for and being an advocate for those who are not typically consumers of mental health services, namely underserved co

Resilience is a word we’ve been hearing a lot lately, but does anyone really understand what it means — or if you have it? Good Morning America’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton knows a thing or two about resilience. In today’s episode, she helps us understand it, too.  Join us as we learn what we all need to know to be resilient in the face of COVID and other adversities. We also discuss the different types of resilience, from financial to psychological, and how to tell if we’re resilient — and if we’re not, Dr. Ashton shows us how to be. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the show's official episode page here. Guest BioDr. Jennifer Ashton is ABC News’ Chief Health and Medical Correspondent. As part of the ABC News medical unit, she reports on major health and wellness issues across all ABC News platforms. She also reports the latest breaking medical news for “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” informing viewers about how to stay safe and healthy during the pandemic and beyond

Are we using the wrong criteria to diagnose mental illness? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the gold standard used by healthcare professionals as the authoritative guide to diagnose mental health conditions. But is it the best tool for clinicians to use? Were you even aware there are other options?  Today’s guest, Dr. Margaret Chisolm, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, tells us all about the “Perspectives Approach,” a method of evaluating a patient using multiple perspectives of their lives and experiences.  This method has existed for over 40 years and is taught and researched at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Chisholm will explain how this method is superior, and some limitations and flaws of the DSM.  To read the transcript -- or learn more -- please visits the official episode page here. Guest BioDr. Margaret S. Chisolm, MD, FAMEE, FACP, FAAP, is vice chair for education, psychiatry, and behavioral sciences; professor of psychi

When “Twin Peaks” and “Riverdale’s” Mädchen Amick’s son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she was already a famous actress. Many would think that would shield her family from the worst of the American mental health care system, but as we hear about the difficulties she and her husband faced getting their son the care he needed (and needs), we discover that their family’s story sounds very much like many family’s stories.  Join us as a mother walks us through her son’s bipolar disorder diagnosis and treatment and realize that mental illness cannot be contained by celebrity or fame. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Mädchen Amick is the lead of Greg Berlanti’s “Riverdale” for which she directed her second episode and simultaneously reprised her role in David Lynch’s acclaimed “Twin Peaks” reboot for Showtime. Previously, she starred on such prolific series as “American Horror Story,” “Witches of East End,” “Damages,” “Californication,” “Gossip

Do you understand concepts like code-switching and why the BIPOC community sees the need to do so? While we’re beginning to understand that the overall needs of the BIPOC community are different from the needs of the white community, that doesn’t mean it’s being applied everywhere — like in the workplace.  Join us as today’s guests, the founders of the mental health app Shine, explain their personal journeys as BIPOC women in corporate America and how they came together to offer a unique mental health space to their communities. To read the transcript -- or learn more -- visit the official episode page here. Guest BioMarah Lidey is the co-founder and co-CEO of Shine. She earned a spot in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in 2018 for Consumer Technology, and she was featured in Vanity Fair as one of the 26 Black female entrepreneurs who have raised more than $1 million in venture capital. She previously built her career in product and content at companies like American Express, Viacom, and Autotrader.com. Marah lives in At

When it comes to addiction treatment, many people believe you need to start a 12-step program and practice complete abstinence. The general belief is that these are the only treatment options and ways to judge success. If you have a relapse and start using again, you’ve failed and need to start over.  But is that true? Join us as today’s guest, Dr. Michael Tkach, explains that there’s more to treating addiction than just the well-known abstinence-only approach. Listen as he discusses how important concepts like harm reduction, social support, and family and friends are to the recovery process. To read the transcript or learn more, please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Dr. Michael Tkach is the chief behavioral health officer for Affinity. He oversees the integration of mental health-informed practice and related research initiatives for select divisions of Affinity, as well as leads the Return-to-Work division where Affinity is an industry leader in providing enterprise-wide COVID-19 testing

Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be scary, and being told it’s terminal even more so. If it goes unaddressed, this kind of trauma can — and often does — lead to a mental health crisis. While the medical community does a stellar job addressing our physical needs, mental health is often ignored.   Today’s guest, Bershan Shaw, featured on this season of “The Real Housewives of New York” shares her journey from a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis to reality TV star. She tells how during her cancer treatment her physical health was cared for, but her mental health was not. Listen in as she shares how we can do better to help people who are diagnosed with serious and terminal conditions manage their mental health. To learn more (or read the transcript) visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Bershan Shaw is an international motivational speaker, business coach, author, entrepreneur, and tech founder who is appearing on this season of Bravo's “The Real Housewives of New York City.” Bershan is a powerhous

Did you buy a lottery ticket this week? Did you contribute to the major league sports office pool? Gambling is an accepted part of our culture, but how do you know when a trip to the casino stops being fun and becomes a problem?  Listen as Allison Henning, LCSW, LCAS breaks down gambling and helps us understand the nuances of this common pastime. Where’s the line between recreation and addiction and how to help someone who has crossed it? To read the transcript, or learn more, please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Allison Henning, LCSW, LCAS, is employed by MindPath Care Centers. MindPath Care Centers is committed to supporting the highest quality and most comprehensive outpatient mindcare available to help people navigate life's challenges, whenever and wherever they need it. Their unique, collaborative care approach and integration of the latest mental health treatments and technologies ensure patients receive the continuum of care required for optimal outcomes.  MindPath’s services are del

Do you know someone who believes in QAnon? Are you afraid of QAnon? Have you been wondering where it comes from and what it even means? Join us as today’s guest explains how seemingly normal, intelligent, sane people believe in lizard people, pedophile cabals, and micro-chipped trackers delivered via vaccines. Want to learn more? Visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Sophia Moskalenko is a social and clinical psychologist studying mass identity and conspiracy theories at the Georgia State University’s Evidence-Based Cyber Security group. Dr. Moskalenko’s research on psychology of radicalization and terrorism has been presented in scientific conferences, government briefings, radio broadcasts and international television newscasts. As a research fellow at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (NC-START) she has led research projects commissioned by the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of State. She h

Today's guest, Gregory Zarian, is an Emmy-nominated actor with starring roles in TV and movies, most recently "Westworld." Join us as he shares his insecurities working in a cut-throat industry, struggles with sobriety, and history of being bullied as a child. A candid look at the human side of celebrity, he reminds us that even “rich and famous” Hollywood celebrities can struggle with mental illness, addiction, and trauma.  Read the transcript or learn more on the official episode page. Guest information  Gregory Zarian is an award winning actor who most recently appeared on the third season of the hit HBO series “Westworld.” He can currently be seen in the film, “86 Melrose Avenue.” In 2020, Gregory was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding performance by a supporting actor in a digital drama for his role on the Emmy-winning web series, "Venice the Series.” His Emmy submission clip can be viewed here. The role deals with issues of bullying, which hits close to home, as that is something he deal

Menstruation is one of those topics that has long been surrounded by misunderstanding and stigma. Join us as Dr. Sara C. Flowers tells us why. Listen in as she explains how this common biological function can affect one’s mood and mental health, while sharing personal experiences of her own. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio  Sara C. Flowers, DrPH, MPH, became Vice President of Education at Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 2018. An advocate for evidence-informed practice and emotional intelligence in sex education, Sara’s research focuses on fidelity and adaptation of sex education curricula, dismantling sexual and reproductive health disparities, serving youth of color, and strengthening abortion access. In this role, Sara sets the vision, priorities, and strategy for sex education and training at Planned Parenthood. She’s the spokesperson for sex education, providing contextualization and grounding for the nuanced ways sex educatio

In this episode, television producer Joel Relampagos discusses the intersectionality of his identities — Asian American, former addict, and gay man — and how the wave of hate crimes against Asian people has impacted him and his community. We discuss his latest project, which was developed to stop Asian hate, titled “Recipe for Change,” featuring interviews with luminaries Michelle Kwan, BD Wong, and Lisa Ling. Joel was born in Manila, Philippines, and immigrated to America on his 6th birthday. At age 19, Joel opened up about his sexuality on MTV’s “True Life: I’m Coming Out.” Since that time, he has become a prominent hollywood producer, producing such shows as “The Biggest Loser” and “Hell’s Kitchen.” To read the transcript, or learn more, please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Joel Relampagos was born in Manila, Philippines, and immigrated to America on his 6th birthday. At age 19, Joel opened up about his sexuality on MTV’s True Life: I’m Coming Out. After national recognition from the LG

According to Prentis Hemphill, "Healing justice is active intervention in which we transform the lived experience of Blackness in our world." But it’s important to understand what those words mean.  Today’s guest, Yolo Akili Robinson, the executive director of BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective), explains how his organization utilizes healing justice to engage with marginalized communities. Yolo explains why he advocates for discussions surrounding mental health and mental illness in the Black community to include how racism, sexism, and other biases are deeply intertwined with psychology and psychiatry.  To read the transcript, or learn more, please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Yolo Akili Robinson is an award-winning writer, healing justice worker, yogi, and the founder and executive director of BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective). Yolo has worked primarily in three areas: Batterers intervention/family counseling with Black men and boys, HIV/AIDS, and heal

We commonly hear things like “We only use 10% of our brains” and “The brain is divided into the emotional right brain and our rational left brain.” But is that true, or just myths passed down as facts from generation to generation? Our brains make us who we are, but science knows surprisingly little about arguably the most important organ we have.  Join us as today’s guest, neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, explains what’s fact and fiction when it comes to our gray matter, and delves into what, if anything, was so special about Einstein’s brain.   To learn more or read the transcript, please visit the official episode page here. Guest Bio Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor is a Harvard trained and published neuroanatomist. In 1996, she experienced a severe hemorrhage in the left hemisphere of her brain, causing her to lose the ability to walk, talk, read, write, or recall any of her life. Her memoir, “My Stroke of Insight,” documenting her experience with stroke and 8-year recovery spent 63 weeks on the New York Time

What do you picture when you think of someone who has anorexia?  Today’s guest shares her journey with anorexia, from her sickest points, her diagnosis and treatment, and what life is like now that she is in recovery. She tells us how society’s limited understanding of eating disorders contributes to the care of those most in need being ignored. Anorexia survivor and mental health advocate Alex Carroll shares her firsthand experiences of her recovery journey. She candidly talks about what it was like to be inpatient, what happened to her after getting out of the hospital, and how anorexia is so much more than an out-of-control diet. Join us for a powerful firsthand account of life with anorexia.   To learn more or read the transcript, please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Alex Carroll is a mental health advocate with a passion for educating the community and raising awareness about the reality of eating disorders in society. After being diagnosed with anorexia nervosa during her sophomore year of

Dr. Phil McGraw is one of the most prominent mental health advocates in America. In today’s episode, our host Gabe Howard and Dr. Phil discuss transitioning out of pandemic mode and into post-pandemic mode, all while taking into account that we aren’t out of the woods yet. Topics like vaccination, distrust of doctors, and the politicized nature of COVID-19 are all examined.  With many of us struggling to understand the mental health toll of the past 18 months, it can be overwhelming to transition into the “new normal” of a post-pandemic life. Dr. Phil shares his unique blend of straight talk and folksy wisdom to help navigate our way through — and out — of this difficult time. To learn more -- or read the transcript -- please visit the official episode page. Guest Bio Dr. Phil McGraw, one of the most well-known and trusted mental health professionals in the world, is the host of TV’s #1 daytime talk show, “Dr. Phil.” Now in its 19th season, this trailblazing and award-winning show continues to provide the