The 50 Minute Hour

Today on the show I talk with clinical psychologist Dr. Ren Massey about doing therapy with transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals. We talk about being mindful of use of terms in sessions, the crossover between medical and psychological knowledge in this work, and what it means to be competent when working with transgender individuals. We also talk about the importance of safety in the therapy room and how the current political climate has impacted working with transgender and gender-nonconforming folks. Dr. Massey also talks about how he came to specialize in this area. And we talk about more fictional characters we want to see in therapy including Harry Potter and the film A Star Is Born! For more information on Dr. Ren Massey, visit his website: www.drrenmassey.com

Chicago is known for many things and one of those things is comedy. Specifically, The Second City Theater that has launched the careers of countless comedy writers, performers, and producers. What you may not know is that Second City also has a Wellness Program focused on merging comedy and mental health and wellness. On the show today, I speak with Becca Barish, LCSW the director of programming of the Wellness Program. We talk about the Improv for Social Anxiety Program, how improv can help anxiety, and how gender and sexuality issues can be addressed in improv. We also talk about some of our favorite films of the year and more fictional characters we'd like to see in therapy!

Chicago is known for many things and one of those things is comedy. Specifically The Second City, a training ground for many stars of comedy in writing, standup, and improv. What you may not know is that Second City also has an expansive programming focused on wellness, including their Improv for Social Anxiety program. On this episode I talk with the director of the wellness program Becca Barish, LCSW about just how improv can help people manage their anxiety. We talk about the origins of the program, how she manages multiple roles as a performer and a clinician, and how gender and sexuality can be addressed in the work. We also talk about some of our favorite films of the year and more fictional characters we want to see in therapy!

For many years the myth that people with mental illnesses are more prone to violence has been perpetuated by TV, films, books, video games, and the news. On this episode, I finally air my grievances about one of the biggest recent offenders: the films of M. Night Shyamalan. An episode full of spoilers, I talk about the Sixth Sense, The Village, Devil, and his new film Split. I also explore the deeper meaning behind the public's fears of people with mental illness and debunk the belief that people with mental illness are more prone to violence. I also talk about Batman's Arkham Asylum and my own experiences working with individuals with mental illness!

Burps? Black-outs? And winding up on a rollercoaster in Coney Island? What's going on with Kimmy?? I review season two of "The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and talk about the psychological ideas behind the issues Kimmy is facing. I talk about dissociation, the unconscious, somatization, and how our psyche tries to help us see the things we're afraid of facing. I also talk about her therapist, played by Tina Fey, including what she did well and what was not so great.

I review the movie Pawn Sacrifice (2014) starring Tobey Maguire and Liev Schreiber about chess genius Bobby Fischer! I talk about the film's depiction of Bobby's possible mental health issues, the definition of psychosis, and how environments can bring about paranoia!

Relationship and dating expert Anita Chipala, LMFT comes on the show to talk about couples therapy and dating. She talks about what often brings couples to therapy, how sarcasm can be toxic, and why people shouldn't wait to come to therapy. She also talks about working with single people on getting into healthier relationships and learning to make better choices in partner selection. We also talk about more fictional characters we want to see in therapy!

After a hiatus, I'm back! Today on the show, I talk to Mona Berman, MA, LCPC about treating anxiety disorders with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). What makes the CBT approach unique and what does it look like in the therapy room? Plus, we talk about emetophobia (fear of vomiting), using improv to treat social anxiety, and more fictional characters we'd like to see in therapy!

The second and final part of my interview with Dr. Brittany Lakin-Starr on Psychodrama. We talk about other examples of what group work looks like with psychodrama, the main components of a group psychodrama, and how it can help change relationship dynamics outside of the therapy room. Plus we talk about The Office and Shameless!

I've noted it and hinted at it in other episodes and now it's here: psychodrama. Dr. Brittany Lakin-Starr, a licensed clinical psychologist, and I talk about psychodrama. What exactly is it? Where did it come from? How can it help people? We go over all of that and a whole lot more. So much so, this is only part one of a two part interview on psychodrama. Enjoy!

You've seen it on TV and in movies, but what actually happens in family therapy? What brings families to therapy, what family members need to be there, and what are ways in which therapy can help families with their issues? On today's episode, I chat with clinical psychologist Dr. Michael Aisenberg about family therapy, why a therapist would recommend a budding arsonist to start more fires, and how parents can work on being more flexible. Plus we talk about All That Jazz and Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train!

Therapy can sometimes look and feel like other relationships. You're talking with someone about your concerns and having a dialogue. And yet, the therapist doesn't share about themselves. At the beginning of this episode I talk about the mechanics of therapist self-disclosure and how the therapeutic relationship is a very unique relationship. And then I share an extra bit from my interview with Dr. Mike Mecozzi about spirituality and the therapy room.

Dr. Mike Mecozzi (author of "The Other Side of Pain") and I talk about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), what acceptance means, the importance of values, and how ACT uses metaphors to help people change their relationship with their thoughts. We also talk about The Godfather and Parks and Rec!

The first interview! Dr. Colleen Cira and I talk about trauma (how to define it), complex PTSD, and which fictional characters we would most like to see in therapy.

So you're interested in therapy, but not sure how to get started. On this episode, I talk about how to use your insurance, how to find providers, and what can help guide decision-making in choosing a therapist. And I talk about the Unbreakable Kimmie Schmidt!

Today's episode addresses "why should anyone go to therapy in the first place?" I'll be discussing the many different reasons people come to therapy and the potential benefits therapy can bring people. I'll also be talking about Mad Men and how Don Draper giving a good hug relates to the benefits of therapy.

The very first episode! Starting things off by explaining who I am, the aims of the show, and upcoming episodes.