It’s Not About the Sex

Positive Psychology and Coaching - Susskind & Merlino

Did you know that the term Positive Psychology was coined less than twenty-five years ago? Although it’s one of the newer additions to the mental health field, it has taken its place as a refreshing, optimistic approach to life fulfillment. In today’s episode we take a look at its connection to coaching as well as a comparison with the Twelve Steps and psychotherapy.

Self-Compassion Break - Susskind

Mindful self-compassion has taken the world by storm as a power tool for wellness and self-acceptance. Borrowing from the Self-Compassion. Break developed by Chris Germer and Kristin Neff, Andrew walks you through this exercise which provides a valuable way to speak to yourself kindly and mindfully.

Interview with Sue Merlino

To celebrate our 75th episode, we turn the tables on our podcast producer, Sue Merlino as we discuss her career which has involved several twists and turns but always comes back to both storytelling and connection. As a close friend and collaborator for the past 37 years, Sue and Andrew take a stroll down memory lane as well as a mindful chat about purpose and direction.

Gut Health and Addiction - Edison DeMello, MD

Dr. Edison DeMello, an integrative physician and author of the recent groundbreaking book Bloated? joins us for an informative, mind-body-spirit discussion about how addictive, compulsive behaviors can be related to the gut.  He normalizes the shame often attached to painful gastrointestinal issues while offering practical healing strategies. Listen to Dr. DeMello’s depth of expertise and refreshing perspective toward optimizing health and wellbeing.

Brainspotting - Susskind & Merlino

Today’s episode entitled Brainspotting: A Step by Step Approach goes behind the scenes and into an actual session. Although it’s a worldwide phenomenon utilized in more than 70 countries, Brainspotting remains a mystery to many. In this episode Andrew and Sue offer a step by step demonstration of the standard sequence used in this healing process.

Psilocybin? Ketamine? MDMA?: Cutting-Edge Therapeutic Approaches - Dr. Eva Altobelli

Today we welcome Dr. Eva Altobelli, a Santa Monica-based addiction psychiatrist and psychedelics expert who speaks openly about the therapeutic use of psilocybin, ketamine and MDMA. This discussion clarifies both the controversy and the research-based direction the clinical community is moving.

The ABC’s of Dual Diagnosis - Susskind & Merlino

Dual Diagnosis? Co-occurring Disorders? Today we explore how these terms originated and how they are commonly used within the medical model. Because they don’t take into account the complexities of trauma, nervous system regulation and attachment ruptures, these terms are limited in their scope and relevance. Tune in to this honest conversation about the multi-faceted, multi-layered approach to treating addictive, compulsive patterns and mental health challenges.

Cutting-Edge Treatment for Chronic Pain - Dr. Mel Pohl

In this episode we welcome Dr. Mel Pohl, a seasoned addiction and chronic pain physician in the field for more than forty years. He is the Senior Medical Consultant at the Pointe Malibu Recovery Center, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Nevada and author of two valuable books focusing on pain management. Together we discuss the challenges and opportunities related to chronic pain recovery as well as the promising advances of neuroscience.

A Day at the Beach - Guided Imagery

Today Andrew offers a short, guided imagery called A Day at the Beach. Take this opportunity to give yourself a few minutes to visit a favorite place from your past—a mini-vacation of relaxation.

Demystifying Group Therapy - Susskind and Merlino

In this episode Andrew and Sue travel behind the scenes of group therapy to take a closer look at the opportunity to learn about oneself side-by- side with others invested in growing together. Group therapy is one of the most  cost-effective and underutilized forms of deeper healing. Join this vital conversation to get a glimpse into this often-misunderstood therapeutic experience.
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