Episodes

In this show Michael Pipich, MS,LMFT, therapist and national speaker on Bipolar Disorder, draws upon his new book, Owning Bipolar: How Patients and Families Can take Control of Bipolar Disorder to make owning and properly treating Bipolar Disorder a reality. Citing research and clinical examples, Michael Pipich reports that too many patients and their families are frightened, confused and misinformed about bipolar disorder. As such, he offers listeners important information starting with the fac...

Bullying impacts millions of children, parents, and individuals in our schools and communities. Given that bullying and being bullied can leave life long scars, we need to address the fear, intimidation shame and abuse of power that fuels bullying. In this episode, Connie Palmer LCSW, teacher, counselor and therapist brings us the Bullies To Buddies Program. Drawing upon this model created by school psychologist, Izzy Kalman, Connie Palmer discusses the rationale and a curriculum for empowering ...

Dr. Kristen Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer, renowned experts in self-compassion and mindfulness, have just released a new book, The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength and Thrive. The book is a culmination of years of collaboration, research and practical application in the training of thousands of people in Mindfulness Self-Compassion. In this episode, co-author Dr. Christopher Germer, discusses the essence and benefits of Mindful Self-Compas...

In a #metoo culture that has given voice to denied sexual abuse and misconduct, and at a time when campus sexual violence continues to be a tragic reality, the importance of giving and understanding sexual consent between people of any age is without question. In this episode Drs. Jason Laker and Erica Boas review and discuss the findings of their “Consent Story” research in which they asked college students about sexual experiences and how they communicate sexual intention, consent or dissent. ...

Anti-bullying sites report that bullying has become an epidemic. One in 7 students K – 12, bully or are a victim of bullying. 75% of school shootings are linked to bullying and there is a strong link between bullying and suicide. Against this backdrop, Alan Eisenberg, Founder of Bully Recovery, Coach, and author of A Ladder In The Dark: My Journey From Bullying To Self-Acceptance and Crossing the Line, shares his childhood experience of bullying, his years of suffering with Complex PTSD and the ...

In this episode Wendy L. Patrick JD, author, speaker and trial attorney introduces us to 'The Stealth Predator.' As described in her article in Psychology Today, this predator is one who gets 'over on others' while flying 'under the radar'. Grooming victims, these predators ultimately betray their victim's loyalty by exploiting them financially, emotionally and sometimes sexually. They are well practiced at engaging in uncharged bad acts. Who are they? Vic Schermer, MA, psychotherapist considers...

In this episode, Wendy Williamson and Honora Rose, co-authors of Two Bipolar Chicks Guide to Survival: Tips for Living with Bipolar Disorder, dispel the myths and offer an up close and personal understanding of surviving and thriving with Bipolar Disorder. They clarify diagnosis and misdiagnosis and answer practical questions: Can anyone get my medication right? Why sleep when you feel so creative? Are drugs and alcohol really a problem? How do you know if you are manic or really in love? Drawin...

While there is an ever increasing number of people who have been identified in this #metoo culture for sexual abuse, harassment or gender violence, we rarely hear what happens once they are dismissed or replaced. Do they seek treatment? Is treatment for sexual offenders available and effective? In this episode Steven Sawyer, licensed clinical social worker, co- author of Group Therapy with Sexual Abusers, and president of the Minnesota chapter of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abuse...

Few people want to be called a " Gossip” but most people can’t resist hearing a juicy story about a friend, celebrity or co-worker. Why? What is it about learning private information about others that is so irresistible?

In this episode, Ross Rosenberg, psychotherapist and author of The Human Magnet Syndrome: The Co-dependent Narcissist Trap, draws upon his experience and clinical examples to offer an understanding of the difference between love and entrapment in a Narcissistic Abuse Syndrome. He discusses the meaning of codependency and how its traces back to childhood attachment. He considers the role it plays in keeping a person with a self-love deficiency addicted to a pathological narcissist whose charm bel...

According to The National Eating Disorder Association’s Statistics, up to 70 million people worldwide suffer from an eating disorder. In this show, Dr. Tom Wooldridge, psychologist and psychoanalyst will address the underlying dynamics and treatment of eating disorders. Drawing upon his new book, Psychoanalytic Treatment of Eating Disorders: When Words Fail and Bodies Speak, he will discuss important issues for those suffering, their parents and clinicians working with them. Recognizing the impo...

In this show, Ken Page, LCSW, psychotherapist and author of the bestseller, Deeper Dating: How to Drop the Games of Seduction and Discover the Power of Intimacy, invites us to consider how gender role stereotypes may be crippling our love lives. Do we set aside our authenticity when we think about meeting an intimate partner? Do we worry about being too strong or independent as a woman or how sensitive we can be as a man can be without losing the so-called alpha male attractiveness? Do we defaul...

From the time I heard Dr. Hull discuss his work with children and adolescents diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) and High Functioning Autism (HFS), I wanted all parents to hear him. In this episode, he brings us his passion and expertise. He clarifies diagnosis by demystifying the strengths and difficulties these children have in social, emotional and behavioral areas. He discusses how to approach fears, understand rituals, reduce feelings of terror and maximize use of special interests. Dr...

In this episode, guest Sharon Kathryn D’Agostino shares SayItForward.org and the powerful meaning of storytelling. A passionate advocate for the health, safety, education, and empowerment of girls, women & children, Sharon describes that she created SayItForward.org as a place where any woman or girl can share her story of overcoming fears, self-limiting beliefs or cultural norms that have held her back from growth and development. You will hear some of the stories and learn why thousands of gir...

While the #metoo culture has rallied women in every work situation, there a many women working in factories, farms, or are employed as caregivers and domestic workers who can’t speak out because their work circumstances leave them invisible and vulnerable. Their need for a livelihood coupled with fear of retaliation is still too much to risk. In this episode you are going to hear from Sheerine Alemzadeh Co-director, Co-founder Healing to Action a non-profit organization building a worker-led mov...

In this episode, Gaea Logan, Executive Director and Founder of the International Center for Mental Health and Human Rights, brings her expertise and experience to Psych Up Live. Drawing upon her training of humanitarian workers across the globe, she invites listeners to build resilience in the face of traumatic life events by strengthening their capacity for self-regulation and building protective internal factors that reduce burnout. She redefines trauma, offers the latest neurobiological findi...

Building on an earlier show on Psych Up Live “ Porn on the Brain” with Gary Wilson, this show features Gabe Deem who shares his personal story of Internet Porn Addiction and recovery. As an activist for better sex education, a writer, public speaker and the founder of Reboot Nation, Gabe Deem offers lessons learned and research findings on the physical, neurological and sexual consequences of Internet porn addiction. Recognizing the possibility of rebooting the brain to again be capable and resp...

In this show Jennie Kramer, LCSW-R draws upon her experience in treating all forms of eating disorders and her co-authored book, Overcoming Binge Eating for Dummies to offer expert and useable information on Binge Eating Disorder (BED). With sensitivity and realistic perspective, she answers questions like-What is Binge Eating? Does it differ from compulsive eating or overeating? Who binges and why? She underscores the health risks associated with Binge Eating Disorder and describes first steps ...

In this show Gary Wilson, presenter of the popular TEDx talk ‘The Great Porn Experiment,’ and author of Your Brain on Porn, addresses the ever-increasing problem of internet porn addiction in young male teens as well as men of every age. Drawing upon scientific research and the reports of countless men seeking help for porn related sexual dysfunction, Gary Wilson clarifies the impact of chronic overconsumption of internet porn on the brain. His message is powerful in the clarity with which he di...

A wonderful example of the spirit of giving for the Holiday Season is the message of the Hit Broadway Musical “Come From Away.” For this episode, Host Suzanne Phillips is joined by Sue Frost, the producer and Joel Hatch, a cast member of this remarkable show. Written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, the show is based on the events of 9/11 when the US shut down its airspace in response to the terrorist attacks. Thousands of passengers on international flights could not land in the US. They landed...

In this show Dr. Lori Brotto, Executive Director of the Women's Health Research Institute of British Columbia and the University of British Columbia’s Sexual Health Laboratory discusses the problems of sexual arousal and sexual desire reported by 10 to 40% of women. She clarifies the misconceptions and confusion about female sexual desire, the differences between men and women and why the “Female Viagra Drug” fizzled. She draws upon the psychological interventions she has research for the manage...

In this show, Dr. Gary Slutkin world known epidemiologist, senior advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) and founder of Cure Violence, the organization ranked 1st among organizations devoted to reducing violence, invites us to recognize Violence as a Contagious Disease. Dr. Slutkin shares his background of reversing contagious diseases like TB and Cholera in Somalia and the AIDS epidemic in over 25 countries in central and East Africa and Uganda. Drawing upon this knowledge, he describes...

In this episode Dr. Kristin Neff, widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion, draws upon her personal introduction to self-compassion, her years of pioneering research, and her book Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself, to offer listeners an understanding of this powerful but often misunderstood and overlooked resource. In an interesting and useable way she defines self-compassion and compares it with self- pity and self-esteem. She demonstr...

In this episode, William Pullen, psychotherapist, author and runner, captures the therapeutic power of movement. Drawing upon his interactive workbook, Running With Mindfulness, he guides listeners in the three simple steps of Dynamic Running Therapy, which he applies not only to running; but to walking, pedaling, hiking, or any form of exercise movement, alone or with a companion. His combination of movement, mindfulness, information and self-inquiry (on stress reduction, decision making, expec...