Mental Health

Are relational avatars the future of mental health treatment?

 
 
Tim Hawke, a mental health clinician from Australian company Clevertar, that has a range of app based health coaching programs which are delivered interactively by a relational avatar joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Mental Health Channels. Today's discussion is about their anxiety and depression coach which may well be the future of mental health treatment at scale.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Tim Hawke discuss the following:
How is the prevalence of anxiety and depression growing, and yet the understanding and education of these conditions not matching this rise?
What is cognitive behaviour therapy and how does it work to treat high prevalence mental illness such as depression and anxiety?
Where can self-help material work people? And what can someone do to see changes in their mood or mental health right now?
How do virtual agents like Claire and the Clevertar team bridge a gap in supporting users see change in their mental health?

Tim Hawke is a mental health clinician and cognitive behavioural therapist – he has worked in the health and mental health sector for the past 10 years, with experience in acute and emergency mental health care and is now focused and passionate in providing evidence-based therapies to support those suffering high prevalence mental illness such as anxiety and depression.
Tim believes through improved education and awareness, people can experience breakthrough through struggles of mental illness and find mastery over their mood, experience recovery and improved well being. Tim worked closely with Clevertar and Flinders University's School of Medicine to write the app based mental health coaching program.
 
 
Website: www.clevertar.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/clevertar  Twitter: @clevertar

Brain U Online, the first scientifically-supported cognitive training program

 
 
Dr. John DenBoer of Smart Brain Aging, a company that has developed Brain U Online - one of the few "digital prescriptions" reimbursable to Medicare and shown to have a very positive effect on the quality of people's lives joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Mental Health Channels.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. John DenBoer discuss the following:
How did you start your interest in studying Dementia?
Can you explain please how Brain U Online works?
What has been the benefits to Brain U Online in addition to it preventing memory loss and mitigate decline?
Why has Brain U Online become one of the first "Digital Prescriptions" to be covered by Medicare?
What do you see for the future of Brain U Online?
 
Dr. John DenBoer is a Clinical Neuropsychologist specializing in the assessment and detection of early-stage dementia. He received his internship training at VA Boston Healthcare System (Boston University School of Medicine/Harvard University) and received his postdoctoral training at Barrow Neurological Institute. He has published extensively in the area of Clinical Neuropsychology and has been an expert speaker at many local, national, and international conferences. He is the Founder, CEO, and Chief Medical Officer of SMART Brain Aging, Inc., a company designed to help prevent and intervene in mild cognitive impairment and early-stage dementia.
In the last 3 years he has become a world-renown speaker in the area of early-stage dementia detection and treatment. This has culminated in a Netflix documentary and corresponding book, entitled “This is Dementia?!“.
 
 
Websites: www.brainuonline.com | www.smartbrainaging.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: facebook.com/smartbrainaging Twitter: twitter.com/smartbrainaging

What to Expect with Psychotherapy

 
 
David Collins, from the Toronto-based, Psychotherapy Referral Service that helps over 200 people every year connect with individuals as well as family and couple therapists to help them deal with their emotional and mental health issues joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Mental Health Channels.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest David Collins discuss the following:
There are people out there who may not believe that “talking about your problems to a therapist” will help them in any way. What would you say are the key benefits of therapy?
For people who maybe have never experienced therapy, can you explain basically how psychotherapy works?
What is PRS?
How is professional therapy different from merely talking to friends and family about things that bother you?
What are the indicators that a person should seek therapy?
 
David Collins is a Registered Psychotherapist that specializes in Emotional Disturbance, Childhood Abuse, Self-Harm, and Gender Issues. He strives to establish a strong rapport so that there hopefully will be nothing too shameful, sorrowful or unnatural, that it cannot be discussed. David believes that unlike our everyday lives, the therapeutic relationship is a unique bubble where we hopefully can feel free of the impingements of society for an hour every week to feel, consider and discuss whatever is our inner truth at the time. If in here we can get beyond the everyday self-censoring, we can engage in a real discussion of issues that may be controlling our lives, but from the shadows beyond our conscious attention.
 
Website: www.prstoronto.com

What Society Needs to Be Aware of As States Continue to Legalize

 
 
Dr. Antoine Kanamugire, a Canadian medical doctor specializing in psychiatry that discusses the unknown dangers of recreational marijuana joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Antoine Kanamugire discuss the following:
How does marijuana work in the brain? What are the side effects and long term results of mental health issues including depression, anxiety and suicide?
What does society need to know about the impacts of marijuana in children and young adults? How do you discuss this issue with them?
What are the risk factors of falling into addiction of marijuana and other drugs?
How does marijuana affect the professional and social aspects of people's lives?
Can you please explain the difference between medical marijuana and recreational marijuana?
 
Dr. Antoine Kanamugire, M.D. is a Canadian medical doctor, specializing in psychiatry. He pursued a bachelor's degree in biology in Pittsburgh, USA, then went to Canada where he completed a medical degree at the University of Sherbrooke and then a specialty in psychiatry at the University of Montreal. He is a consultant psychiatrist in outpatient clinics, in the Emergency Department and for mental health first line teams in Montreal suburbs.
 
 
 
Website: www.drantoine.org
Social Media Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrAntoine Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAntoineMD

TMS Neuro Institute: Los Angeles Non-Drug, Depression Treatment

 
 
Dr. Gennady Musher, MD, PHD, and Faculty Member at UCLA, who has just opened the new TMS Neuro Institute in Los Angeles joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Mental Health Channels. Dr. Musher has 25 years of experience in psychopharmacology treatment of multiple psychiatric disorders.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Gennady Musher discuss the following:
What is TMS  Therapy and who are the best candidates?
What are the benefits of this type of therapy versus, or alongside, traditional treatment or medication?
What are the most common misconceptions about the treatment of TMS and what are the benefits and  how common are relapses?
What prompted you to open a new TMS therapy center in Los Angeles?
You are considered a pioneer in this type of treatment. What is the future of TMS therapy looking like?
 
Dr. Gennady Musher MD, PhD is the Founder of TMS Neuro Institute. Dr. Musher is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology. He began his psychiatry career nearly 30 years ago. He completed his PhD in psychiatry in 1988 and he served his residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Musher has 25 years of experience in psychopharmacology treatment of multiple psychiatric disorders. He is also an expert in the treatment of resistant depression with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) with seven years of experience and specific training in neuromodulation techniques. He has been in private practice since 1998 and has experience in the evaluation and treatment of major psychiatric conditions including, but not limited to: major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders and forensic evaluations. Dr. Musher is also a faculty member at UCLA.
 
 
Website: www.tmsneuroinstitute.com
Social Media Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TMSNeuroInst Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TMSNeuroInstitute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tmsneuroinst

So you’ve achieved balance in your life…What’s Next?

 
 
Author and motivational speaker Mia Adler Ozair, who has turned her passion for the mind/body/soul connection concept into a successful brand by utilizing over 25 years of experience in the worlds of education, mental health, health coaching, and the wellness arena into helping others live healthier, more fulfilling lives joins eHealth Radio and the Personal Development Channel. 
 
Listen to host Eric Michaels & guest Mia Adler Ozair discuss the following:
We all strive to maintain balance – whether it’s work/life, diet and exercise or healthy food intake with occasional splurges.  And to some degree, many of us have achieved some level of success in these areas as “balance” became the new mantra over the last decade.  So what should we all be asking ourselves in terms of, “What’s Next?”
Many successful entrepreneurs credit their effectiveness with constantly challenging themselves, and constantly setting and taking next steps to achieve goals. Tell us about your concept of “Unleashing your inner Warrior” and how does this apply to the business world and personal life.
What role does Accountability play in this?
You challenge people to ask themselves what is the deeper, underlying reason as to WHY it is important for people to commit.  Why is this first step so important?  What is the most frequent answer you have seen people give as to why they can’t or don’t commit to a goal?
You believe in focusing on 4 important aspects of life (mental, physical, spiritual, and global).  Tell us more about those and how people can apply those to their own lives.
SUMMARY: Set some ground rules. Push yourself and find the right support system. Don’t be afraid to do things you’ve never done before so that you get the results you have never gotten before.  You will most likely be uncomfortable at some point–that means you are DOING IT RIGHT. 
Invest in yourself emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually, and financially WITH NO REGRETS because you will understand that YOU ARE WORTH IT ON EVERY LEVEL. You must internalize that MEANINGFUL, LASTING CHANGE TAKES TIME AND CONSISTENT EFFORT. THERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS.
 
 
The mind/body/soul connection concept coupled with health and fitness has been a passion of mine since I am old enough to remember. My childhood was filled with every sport activity you can imagine and in high school I was on the springboard diving team (actually held the school record for a period of time!) and pom squad as well as participating in martial arts. I started working at the age of 16 as a lifeguard and swim instructor which continued well into my college years.
Fast forward to today and I have gathered over 25 years of experience in the worlds of education, mental health, health coaching, and the wellness arena. It’s been a great joy to write and author three books (Essential Proteen: Life Skills to Help Teens Succeed, Research Press; Insider’s Secrets: How to Choose an Exceptional Therapist, Oakhurst Publishing; Cook, Pray, Eat Kosher: The Essential Kosher Cookbook, Feldheim Publishers) which are all available on Amazon.com. Over the course of my career I’ve been a featured expert in numerous media outlets including print and radio (see media page) and have dedicated my professional work to helping others live healthier, more fulfilling lives. In Fall 2016 I began working on my doctoral degree at the University of Southern California (USC) in Organizational Change and Leadership in the Rossier School of Education and am so honored to have been awarded a Schwarzenegger Institute on State and Global Policy Graduate Fellowship. It is my hope to use my doctoral work as a platform for helping to reduce the epidemic of childhood obesity in our country and bring awareness to the essential importance of striving to have a sound mind, healthy body, and happy soul. Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about my background and I look forward to ushering you into wellness, leadership & global impact!
 
 
Website: www.MiaAdlerOzair.com
Social Media Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miaadlerozair Twitter: https://twitter.com/miaadlerozair

5 Steps to Get Moving, Get Mindful, and Lift Your Mood

 
 
William Pullen a psychotherapist registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) joins eHealth Radio and the Mental Health Channel. He also is the author of an interactive and instructive new book is Running with Mindfullness.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest William Pullen discuss the following:
What prompted you to write this book?  
Dynamic Running Therapy ( DRT)  takes us outside, into nature, and gets us moving. As a therapy, why is that so effective?
Can you explain the role mindfulness plays in this therapy?
Does DRT really work for clinical cases of depression and anxiety? Can this be done in place of medication?
Do you have other materials to go along with the book — such as an app?
What if you’re not in any shape to go running?
Can you talk about any success stories — people who have escaped cycles of stress or chronically low mood with this approach?
Is this program just for adults? Is there any way to extend it to families dealing with children or teenagers?
 
William Pullen is a psychotherapist registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). He practices Integrative therapy and specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, problems of self-esteem and confidence, and substance abuse. He has been featured in publications such as Vogue, The New York Times, and GQ.  His interactive and instructive new book is Running With Mindfulness. You can follow William Pullen on Twitter @pullentherapy.
 
 
Website: http://williampullenpsychotherapist.com

Things I wish I Knew When I was a Kid

Dr. Nikki Martinez, Psychologist and Clinical Director again joins eHealth Radio and the Relationship & Psychology Channels to discuss things I wish I knew when I was a kid.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Nikki Martinez discuss the following:
Why is it so important to be content with every phase we are at in life?
Can you be both content, and have goals?
Why should we express appreciation each day?
Why should we decide who is and who is not important to us?
Why is it so important to let go of anger and grudges?
Dr. Nikki Martinez received her Masters and her Doctorate from Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and completed her pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship at Gateway Foundation in Lake Villa, Illinois.
She is the Head of Clinical Development for www.DrNikkiMartinez.com, where she can be reached if you are interested in individual or couples work with her. She is an Adjunct Professor in psychology graduate studies, is a  telemental health psychologist, a disability consultant, and a blogger for the Huffington Post and Everyday Power Blog.
 
Website: www.DrNikkiMartinez.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-martinez-35b36231 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNikkiMartinez Twitter: @DrNikkiMartinez Instagram: @nikkimaramartinez

Understanding your process, from concept to inception

Dr. Nikki Martinez, Psychologist and Clinical Director again joins eHealth Radio and the Relationship & Psychology Channels to discuss understanding your process, from concept to inception.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Nikki Martinez discuss the following:
No matter what we do for a living, we all have a process. Why is it so essential to understand our own?
If we are struggling to understand our process, what can we do?
Why does having the best personal process in place make such a difference for us?
Why do some people struggle with taking something from an idea, to a finished product?
Are there actual issues and disorders that make this process more difficult?
Dr. Nikki Martinez received her Masters and her Doctorate from Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and completed her pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship at Gateway Foundation in Lake Villa, Illinois.
She is the Head of Clinical Development for www.DrNikkiMartinez.com, where she can be reached if you are interested in individual or couples work with her. She is an Adjunct Professor in psychology graduate studies, is a  telemental health psychologist, a disability consultant, and a blogger for the Huffington Post and Everyday Power Blog.
 
Website: www.DrNikkiMartinez.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-martinez-35b36231 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNikkiMartinez Twitter: @DrNikkiMartinez Instagram: @nikkimaramartinez

Why the Failure of a Relationship Does NOT Make you a Failure

Dr. Nikki Martinez, Psychologist and Clinical Director again joins eHealth Radio and the Family & Relationship Channels to discuss why the failure of a relationship does not make you a failure.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Nikki Martinez discuss the following:
Why do people feel like a personal failure after the end of a relationship?
Why should they NOT feel this way?
How can they look at this as a growth experience?
Talk about the importance of time alone.
How does this makes them a better partner in the future.
 
Dr. Nikki Martinez received her Masters and her Doctorate from Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and completed her pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowship at Gateway Foundation in Lake Villa, Illinois.
She is the Head of Clinical Development for www.DrNikkiMartinez.com, where she can be reached if you are interested in individual or couples work with her. She is an Adjunct Professor in psychology graduate studies, is a  telemental health psychologist, a disability consultant, and a blogger for the Huffington Post and Everyday Power Blog.
Website: www.DrNikkiMartinez.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-martinez-35b36231 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNikkiMartinez Twitter: @DrNikkiMartinez Instagram: @nikkimaramartinez