Mindful Things: A Mental Health Podcast

Apr 16 2024 125
Mindful Things: A Mental Health Podcast artwork

Knowing that mental wellness is a topic that deeply affects each and every one of us, McLean Hospital brings you Mindful Things, a podcast dedicated to real talk about the conditions and situations we face daily yet rarely discuss. In each episode, we sit down with some very special guests, including experts from Harvard Medical School, as well as ordinary people living extraordinary lives, to dig deep into everyday challenges while also exploring their own experiences with conditions such as depression, anxiety, and trauma.

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When Parting With Possessions Becomes Problematic

Apr 16 2024 57 mins  
Jeff talks to Dr. Jeff Szymanski about hoarding disorder, its warning signs, and options for treatment. They also discuss the evolution of the diagnosis, how it started as a subtype of OCD, and its current diagnostic criteria. Additionally, Dr. Szymanski shares resources, organizations, and researchers doing work in the field today.Jeff Szymanski, PhD, served as the executive direc

Recognizing and Treating Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia

Apr 02 2024 58 mins  
Jeff talks to Dr. Kathryn Eve Lewandowski about both schizophrenia and the different types of bipolar disorder. Eve shares overviews on both disorders, tips for spotting their signs and seeking treatment, and answers audience questions about successfully supporting someone living with these conditions.Kathryn Eve Lewandowski, PhD, is the director of clinical programming at McLean O

Understanding and Addressing Borderline Personality Disorder

Mar 19 2024 57 mins  
Jeff talks to Dr. Karen Jacob about how borderline personality disorder is diagnosed and treated. The two discuss causes and symptoms of BPD, as well as some misconceptions that are widely held about the illness. Karen also provides tips for supporting someone living with the condition and answers audience questions.Karen Jacob, PhD, is the program director of McLean’s residentia

Promoting Positive Mental Health in K-12 Students

Mar 05 2024 57 mins  
Jeff talks to Dr. Mills Smith-Millman about proven strategies for supporting the mental well-being of students in kindergarten through high school. They discuss mental health training options for school professionals, and Mills answers audience questions about common mental illnesses impacting children and adolescents.Mills Smith-Millman, PhD, is a staff psychologist with the McLea

College Student Mental Health 101

Feb 20 2024 58 mins  
Jeff talks to Dr. Sarah Ketchen Lipson about common mental health concerns for college students and they discuss tips for recognizing and addressing these challenges and the conditions they can lead to. Jeff also asks Sarah some audience questions about typical campus resources for students who are struggling.Sarah Ketchen Lipson, PhD, EdM, is an associate professor in the Departme

Understanding Trauma and Trauma-Related Disorders

Feb 06 2024 55 mins  
Jeff talks to Dr. Matthew A. Robinson about PTSD, DID, and other trauma-related disorders. Dr. Robinson also debunks common myths about these conditions and covers the evidence-based treatment methods to ensure that people are able to manage their symptoms and live rewarding lives.Matthew A. Robinson, PhD, is co-director of McLean’s Outpatient Trauma Clinic, provides individual,

Fear, Anxiety, or Panic?

Jan 23 2024 55 mins  
Jeff talks to Dr. Nathaniel Van Kirk about both the helpful and unhealthy ways we respond to perceived and imagined threats. Nathaniel offers tips for recognizing different panic and anxiety disorders, when to seek help, and answers audience questions.Nathaniel Van Kirk, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, specializing in severe anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorde

Recognizing and Addressing Mental Health Disorders in Teens

Jan 09 2024 58 mins  
Jeff talks to Dr. Guvenek-Cokol about the challenges that children and teens face in today’s world and the impact they can have on their mental health. They discuss the warning signs that parents can look out for that can differentiate “normal” teenage troubles from more worrying concerns and how to go about asking for help.Perihan Esra Guvenek-Cokol, MD, is a double board ce

The Power of Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dec 19 2023 55 mins  
Jeff talks to Dr. Anna Precht about dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT. They discuss the logistics of what DBT is, and what makes it different from other treatment options such as CBT. They mention ways that clinicians can become properly trained in DBT, and how individuals seeking treatment can find properly certified clinicians. They also discuss the history of DBT, its current

Caring for Burned-Out Caregivers

Dec 05 2023 57 mins  
Jeff talks to Marie Clouqueur about the challenges that come along with caregiving. From maintaining and building a support circle to reaching out for help when needed, Jeff and Marie discuss the best ways a caregiver can support themselves, and therefore better care for their loved one.Marie Clouqueur, LICSW, is a geriatric case manager at McLean Hospital in the Division of Geriat