Mental Health

Addiction and Relapse Prevention National Recovery Month with Ben Brafman of Destination Hope

September is designated as Addiction and Relapse Prevention National Recovery Month. On this episode of eHealth Radio and the Mental Health Channel, we have Behavioral health expert Ben Brafman, the founder and CEO of Destination Hope, a full-service mental health and substance abuse treatment facility located in Fort Lauderdale, FL with gender specific treatment.

Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Ben Brafman discuss the following:September is the 24th annual National Recovery Month, but for those suffering from addiction even those who have been in recovery a long time, each month is recovery month. What is the significance of having a national recovery month and do you think recovery month has made an impact on substance abuse education and treatment over the last 24 years?This year's Recovery Month theme is Pathways to Wellness, highlighting the importance of mental, physical, and emotional well-being as part of the recovery process. This is something you've been focused on throughout your career and something that you have made a tenet of your treatment programs. Why is overall wellness such an important part of substance abuse and mental health recovery?  What can be done to improve an individual's overall wellness while in rehab?One of the things we keep seeing in behavioral health research is the value of family, friends, and community members throughout the recovery journey. How can family members help loved ones suffering from addiction improve their wellness and overall health?On that note, your center, Destination Hope offers intensive family counseling weekends. Why did you start holding these family weekends? What impact have you seen from these weekendsIn the past 24 years how do you think the behavioral health field has changed? What do you see happening in the future?
Duration: 16:19
Ben Brafman, LMHC, CAP, is the Clinical Director, President and CEO of Destination Hope, a nationally recognized substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  With more than two decades of hands-on experience in the field of substance abuse and addiction, Ben is a leading authority on substance abuse, addiction and treatment protocols.  A licensed behavioral health counselor and certified addiction professional, Ben has grown into an industry expert, educating both healthcare and public audiences on issues in the field of addiction.
In 2007, Ben founded Destination Hope, a new model in full service addiction recovery. Combining his experience as an addiction tech, behavioral health counselor and clinical director, Ben developed treatment protocols that focused on individualized treatment, versus an all in one approach.  His unique approach, to treat an individual as a whole instead of a set of symptoms by addressing the psychological, physical and emotional issues related to substance abuse set a new standard in addiction treatment.  Destination Hope was an immediate success, and today has expanded into multiple treatment programs including separate female and male treatment programs.
Ben has experience serving clients and leading therapy programs at a variety of residential, clinical and outpatient behavioral health programs.  Ben is a Member of the Mental Health Association, the Broward County Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol and a member of the Dual Diagnosis Association.  He is a nationally certified counselor, a certified addiction professional, a licensed mental health counselor and an anger management specialist.  Ben has served as an expert witness in DUI/drug cases.
As a behavioral health counselor, Ben is dedicated to helping those beyond the treatment facility.  He is an active volunteer with Community Friends Association, and co-founder of Southern Lights A.I.D.S. project.  Ben has been awarded community service commendations from the Salvation Army – 1990’s Community Service Person of the Year and the Spirit of the Community Award in 2000.Ben Brafman holds a BA from Syracuse University and a MA from Barry University in Mental Health Counseling and Family Therapy. He and his wife live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with their three wonderful children.   He has completed three marathons and is training for a triathlon.



Links: www.drugrehabfl.net

Sleep Problems in Children with Dr. Anandhi Narasimhan

Dr. Anandhi Narasimhan, a double board certified child and adult psychiatrist who practices in Los Angeles, who will be discussing the topic of sleep problems in children joins eHealth Radio and the Mental Health Channel.

Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Anandhi Narasimhan discuss the following:What are some of the reasons children have difficulty with sleep?How can a parent help a child sleep better?Are there specific medical problems that can cause sleep disturbances in children?What is the difference between sleep terrors and nightmares?What to do if sleep problems persist?Duration: 8:30Anandhi Narasimhan, M.D. is a double Board Certified Physician accredited by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology specializing in Adult, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr. Narasimhan completed her adult psychiatry residency training at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina, and completed her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship training at University of California Los Angeles Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Narasimhan has distinguished herself in child trauma and neuroimaging research and has published her work including co-authoring a book chapter, "Child and Adolescent Responses to Trauma." Dr. Narasimhan currently  runs a private practice in Westwood, Los Angeles, and serves as a child and adult psychiatrist for two non-profit mental health agencies, Aviva Family and Children's Services and Masada Homes. Dr. Narasimhan has had several media appearances including CNN, Fox News, USA Today, and CNN International.
Links: www.doctoranandhi.com

The role of a mental health counselor with Ann Marie Sochia of Waves of Change

Ann Marie Sochia, Owner of Waves of Change in Cary, NC joins eHealth Radio and the Mental Health Channel. Waves of Change offers Licensed and Certified counseling, employing a holistic approach, which includes Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, and Hypnosis with a special emphasis on Neuro Linguistics Programming (NLP).
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Ann Marie Sochia discuss the following:Just what is mental health counseling, and what is the role of a mental health counselor?Who are the people who use your services?What is the initial session like? Describe a typical ongoing session? You mentioned that you take a holistic approach to therapy. Can you tell us more about that?What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and how do you use it in your practice? What about Hypnotherapy? Do you have any success stories you would like to share?
Duration: 11:22
Ann Marie Sochia has an MS degree in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University. While there, she was inducted as a member of the Chi Upsilon Chapter of the Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society.  She is also a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), North Carolina Counseling Association, and the National Guild of Hypnotists (NGH). She is certified and has been working as a Hypnosis Practitioner since 2002 and was initially trained in Neuro linguistic Programming (NLP), and in 2012 she graduated from the Dave Elman Hypnosis Institute with advanced training and certification in Hypnosis. 
She is also certified as a Meditation Expert, and a Certified Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) in North Carolina.
Ann Marie owns Waves of Change in Cary, North Carolina (www.wavesofchangenc.com). Waves of Change provides the following services; Mental Health Counseling, Hypnotherapy, Meditation, Mindfulness, and Technology assisted relaxation services.   Areas of specialty are relaxation, stress reduction, depression, Neuro Linguistics Programming (NLP), and communication skills.  Waves of Change works with children, teenagers, adults, and families. 
Ann Marie is caring, compassionate, and believes with a positive attitude and being mindful almost anything is possible.

Links: www.wavesofchangenc.com

Common problems that cross all mental health issues with Hugh McGillivray

Hugh McGillivray, a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist at Modern Health Solutions Counselling in Okanagan, BC, Canada who specializes in Depression, Anxiety, Relationships and ADHD joins eHealth Radio on the Mental Health Channel.
Listen to interview [audio player below] with host Eric Michaels & guest Hugh McGillivray discuss the following:
What made you choose therapy as a career?
What does "Cognitive Behavioral" mean and how does it work in therapy?
What sets you apart as a therapist?
In your experience are there any common problems that cross all mental health issues?
You've stated elsewhere that you practice a very practical brand of therapy. Can you tell us a bit more about that?
Are there mental health issues that you do not treat?
Can you give the listeners a couple of ways generally to improve their mental health?
Do you have any tips for listeners who are concerned with mental health?


About Hugh McGillivray
Generalist. Focus is on Depression, Anxiety, Loss and Grief, Relationships, Careers, Family, ADHD.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: the relationship between thought and behavior. Family Systems: the dynamics of relationship. Person Centered: Your world, your needs.
Hugh has a wealth of personal experience which includes alcohol, the loss of my kids' mother, single parenting, ADHD, as well as work on the ocean, in the bush, in restaurants, hotels and in a small corporate enterprise.
Map on to that Hugh's training as a professional counsellor at a noted College here in Kelowna, and his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and you have someone who knows what you are going through, and what to do about it.
His goals are to provide a service to the community which promotes health and understanding through skilled communication; to provide and disseminate useful information to people seeking it; and to do my part to initiate and motivate dialogue about mental health.
Related Web Site: www.modhealth.org

Keith Lisenbee, CEO of Atlas Behavioral Health Consulting

Keith Lisenbee, a licensed clinical social worker and is the CEO of Atlas Behavioral Health Consulting who has nineteen years of clinical and management experience in the behavioral health field joins eHealth Radio and the Mental Health Channel.
Listen to interview [audio player below] with host Eric Michaels & guest Keith Lisenbee discuss the following:
Which one of the principles that you describe do you think is the most important?
How do you assist organizations and business clients?
How are the principles you describe differ between individuals and organizations?
What makes Atlas Behavioral Health Consulting different from everyone else?
How does one contact Atlas to get started?


Keith Lisenbee currently provides consultation services to individuals and businesses in order to assist them in developing clear, rational, assertive, and progressive strategies to move themselves or their business into a position where they can prevail during challenging times.

 He utilizes sound business principles that applied to the behavioral health care setting provides the road map to move the organization in a forward direction. This direction is based on embracing the clear reality of their situation and making the rational moves needed to overcome enormous internal and external challenges.
Keith has over nineteen years of clinical experience and over ten years of management experience in the behavioral health services related field. He has developed, implemented, and supervised adult behavioral health service programs and services including Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), Crisis Stabilization, Medical Detoxification, Emergency/Crisis, Forensics, and Counseling/Psychotherapy Services. He has also developed, implemented, and supervised children's behavioral health services including therapeutic day treatment, Emergency/Crisis, Forensics, Intensive In-Home, Case Management/Care Coordination, and Counseling/Psychotherapy Services.
Related Web Site: www.atlasbehavioralhealthconsulting.com

Children who have anxiety at a young age should get help early with Stefanie Weiss

Stefanie Weiss a Mental Health Consultant specializing in OCD, Anxiety, ADHD, PANDAS, and other related mental health disorders joins eHealth Radio and the Mental Health Channel. She says that children who have anxiety at a young age should get help early.
Listen to interview [audio player below] with host Eric Michaels & guest Stefanie Weiss discuss the following:
Explain to our listeners what you do for families as a  Mental Health Consultant?
How do families benefit by coming to you before searching and finding a psychologist/psychiatrist on their own?
What are your areas of expertise?
You are located in NYC, are you able to work with families out of the New York area?
Do you feel there is still a social stigma surrounding mental health today?
How much do you believe parents should be involved in the process of therapy when it comes to a child?
One of the disorders you see is very controversial and getting more press lately, PANDAS- What is it and can you tell us more about it?
Do you believe that children who have anxiety at a young age should get help early on or should parents take a more "wait and see" approach?
Why do you think more and more children are being diagnosed with ADHD today?
Where do you hope the future of mental health is in the next 10-15 years ?


Stefanie Weiss is a Mental Health Consultant specializing in OCD, Anxiety, ADHD, PANDAS, and other related mental health disorders. She meets with the parents of children who have these disorders so that they can speak openly  and honestly about their child. Based on an in- depth consultation and intake process, they collaborate on selecting a team of doctors that will be most appropriate for the child.
Stefanie gives families information on their child’s disorder and coaches parents on how to deal with their schools, teachers, friends,and doctor appointments. She is a true “hand-holder” guiding parents who feel anxious and overwhelmed, and need that extra time and support while dealing with their child’s disorder.  As a mother of three children, she is extremely sensitive to what parents require emotionally.  Working with Stefanie is a boutique experience. Stefanie only refers to a select group of doctors that are the very best in their field. She has thoroughly interviewed every doctor that she refers to.  This process is vital to her. It helps her observe the doctor’s bedside manner, personality, office staff, and experience with specific disorders.
Stefanie believes that parents have a hard time gaining the courage to take the initial step of seeking professional help for their children. Going to the “right doctor” the first time puts families on the right track immediately, instead of going through a daunting process of 3 or 4 doctors until they finally find the one that they connect with and believe in. She helps make that process easier by getting parents in the right hands immediately. This saves them time, money, and energy. Exposing yourself and your child emotionally is a difficult step. Stefanie makes sure families are comfortable and confident with whom they select.
Related Web Site: www.askstefanie.com

The problems with ADHD Medications with Dr. Charles Parker

Dr. Charles Parker, the author of New ADHD Medication Rules, brain science & common sense joins eHealth Radio and the Mental Health Channel.
Dr. Charles Parker is a nationally recognized speaker, neuroscientist and psychiatrist with 43 years of esperience that takes on the medical community and provides cutting-edge solutions to professionals, parents and patients.
Listen to interview [audio player below] with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Charles Parker discuss the following:
What is ADHD? Is it real, imagined, or actually biologically based?
How did your experience with SPECT brain imaging change your practice and your view of mind function?
Why do so many have bias against ADHD meds and diagnosis?
What are the real problems with current diagnostic categories?
What are the problems with ADHD Medications?
Why write New ADHD Medication Rules?


Dr Charles Parker - A writer, nationally recognized speaker, (Deep Recovery, ADHD Medication Rules, CorePsych Blog), a neuroscientist certified for SPECT brain imaging, and a practicing child and adult psychiatrist with more than 43 years of experience in clinical practice. From psychoanalysis to psychopharmacology, Parker brings a unique perspective and passion to the changes that must be made in the current diagnostic and treatment protocols for psychiatric conditions in general, and ADHD most specifically. He knows the territory not only from direct experience with active practice clients, but from those many years, since ’96, lecturing to medical colleagues on the science and applications of psychotropic meds for several pharma companies. His cutting edge interest in the dramatic advances in molecular and cellular physiology associated with effective brain function teach professionals and clients at every level about cognitive and emotional imbalance. Parker’s mission is compelling and persuasive: brain science translation into common sense packages for everyday use.
His CorePsych Blog has won numerous ADHD writing awards over the years, and set new standards for the diagnosis and treatment of Executive Function Disorders. This is his second book. Dr. Parker works and lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Related Web Site: www.drcharlesparker.com

How To Overcome the Holiday Blues with Dr. Daniel Trussell

Dr. Trussell the CEO of Webstar Behavioral Health and author of How Families Flourish and Kicking Depression Out of Your Life joins eHealth Radio and the Mental Health Channel to talk about how to overcome the holiday blues. As a licensed professional counselor and positive psychology behavioral coach, he has dedicated his career to helping people eradicate mental health problems from their lives.
Listen to interview [audio player below] with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Daniel Trussell discuss the following:
What are the symptoms of holiday blues?
Are the holiday blues a sign of clinical depression? Are the holiday blues different from depression?
What exactly contributes to the holiday blues?
Ok, how do we prevent the holiday blues? What’s the treatment?
Can you give our listeners some tips to preventing the holiday blues?

Related Web Site: www.webstarbh.com

There is an unnecessary epidemic of mental illness with Dr. Daniel Trussell

"There is an unnecessary epidemic of mental illness in our country" says Dr. Daniel Trussell. Dr. Trussell the CEO of Webstar Behavioral Health and author of How Families Flourish and Kicking Depression Out of Your Life joins eHealth Radio and the Mental Health Channel. As a licensed professional counselor and positive psychology behavioral coach, he has dedicated his career to helping people eradicate mental health problems from their lives.
Listen to interview [audio player below] with host Eric Michaels & guest Dr. Daniel Trussell discuss the following:
You say there is an unnecessary epidemic of mental illness in our country. What do you mean by that?
So you think prevention is the key to reversing depression. How can we prevent a chemical imbalance in the brain?
Are you saying that depression is a myth?
What are some ways we can prevent depression?
What do you see in store for mental health treatment in the future?
So you have written a book called How Families Flourish. Do you think that is the blueprint for preventing mental illness?


Related Web Site: www.webstarbh.com

Addiction and Relapse Prevention with Ben Brafman

The topic today is Addiction and Relapse Prevention with September being National Recovery Month. On this episode of eHealth Radio and the Mental Health Channel, we have Behavioral health expert Ben Brafman, the founder and CEO of Destination Hope, a full-service mental health and substance abuse treatment facility located in Fort Lauderdale, FL with gender specific treatment.
Listen to interview [audio player below] with host Eric Michaels & guest Ben Brafman discuss the following:
Prescription drug abuse is the latest epidemic in the war against drugs. How prevalent is prescription drug abuse? What are the most commonly abused drugs? Can you tell us a little about who is affected and what is going on in America today?
Communities, governments, law enforcement, the medical community and drug manufacturers have all banded together to try to stop the epidemic. They've reformulated certain drugs, arranged drop-off locations for unused prescription drugs and started education campaigns. What has been the effect of all of this? Is it working?
Ben, you work in addiction treatment and recovery. How many people are seeking help for prescription drug abuse? How do they seek treatment? What type of treatment is available and is it effective?
Relapse is obviously the largest concern for someone who has suffered from prescription drug abuse. Do you have any relapse prevention advice for individuals in recovery?


Ben Brafman, LMHC, CAP, is the Clinical Director, President and CEO of Destination Hope, a nationally recognized substance abuse and dual diagnosis treatment facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With more than two decades of hands-on experience in the field of substance abuse and addiction, Ben is a leading authority on substance abuse, addiction and treatment protocols. A licensed behavioral health counselor and certified addition professional, Ben has grown into an industry expert, educating both healthcare and public audiences on issues in the field of addiction.
In 2007, Ben founded Destination Hope, a new model in full service addiction recovery. Combining his experience as an addiction tech, behavioral health counselor and clinical director, Ben developed treatment protocols that focused on individualized treatment, versus an all in one approach. His unique approach, to treat an individual as a whole instead of a set of symptoms by addressing the psychological, physical and emotional issues related to substance abuse set a new standard in addiction treatment. Destination Hope was an immediate success, and today has expanded into multiple treatment programs.
To date, under the leadership of Ben Brafman, Destination Hope has successfully helped hundreds of individuals from across the country navigate a path to sobriety. A combination of dedicated behavioral health counselors and truly unique care has made the Destination Hope’s program one of the most noted drug rehab programs in the country.
Behavioral Health Counselor
Ben has experience serving clients and leading therapy programs at a variety of residential, clinical and outpatient behavioral health programs. Ben is a Member of the Mental Health Association, the Broward County Task Force on Drugs and Alcohol and a member of the Dual Diagnosis Association. He is a nationally certified counselor, a certified addiction professional, a licensed mental health counselor and an anger management specialist. Ben has served as an expert witness in DUI/drug cases.
Ben regularly writes and leads workshops on substance abuse and addiction, mental health and treatment protocols for private companies as well as professional trade organizations. For more information on his speaking schedule or past events, please visit Ben’s Drug Abuse and Addiction Newsroom.
Behavioral Health Advocate
Recognizing a need to elevate the continuing professional education of addiction professionals and behavioral health counselors like himself, Ben founded the Academy for Addiction Professionals. An education and professional licensing facility dedicated to professional advancement, the Academy provides industry certifications as well as ongoing education for addiction professionals. Ben is also the founder of a non-profit organization to help those who cannot pay for substance abuse and addiction treatment, RxAngels. RxAngels helps subsidize medication for those that cannot afford prescription treatment for mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
As a behavioral health counselor, Ben is dedicated to helping those beyond the treatment facility. He is an active volunteer with Community Friends Association, and co-founder of Southern Lights A.I.D.S. project. Ben has been awarded community service commendations from the Salvation Army – 1990’s Community Service Person of the Year and the Spirit of the Community Award in 2000.
Ben Brafman holds a BA from Syracuse University and a MA from Barry University in Mental Health Counseling and Family Therapy. He and his wife live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with their three wonderful children. He has completed three marathons and is training for a triathlon.

Related Web Site: www.drugrehabfl.net