Peace, Love, and Psychology

Dan Raker, PsyD

A Clinical Psychologist explores fundamental principles of psychology and sound approaches to improving your overall mental health.

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Season Two, Episode Eleven: How Psychology Provides Support to the Chronic Pain Patient

Season Two, Episode Eleven: How Psychology Provides Support to the Chronic Pain Patient

This second episode focusing on the experience of chronic pain focuses on how psychologists and counselors support the patient in pain treatment. We first discuss how a person being treated for chronic pain would come to also be in psychological treatment. There are two pathways: the patient may be referred by their treating physician, or the patient may refer themselves.Physicians who treat pain tend to refer a patient to therapy for one of three general reasons. First, the physician may be considering a medication treatment plan that involves the use of powerful, pain-relieving opiate medication. When a physician is planning to pursue this form of treatment, it is usually recommended for the patient to be evaluated for risk factors that might argue against that treatment approach. In these cases, the physician may refer the patient for an Opioid Risk Evaluation. Second, if a patient might benefit from the implantation of a medical device, such as Spinal Cord or Peripheral Nerve Stimulator, their doctor may refer the patient for a psychological evaluation. This step is typically required by most major insurance carriers before they will pre-authorize such a procedure. The focus of the Device Evaluation is to ensure that the patient is informed about the procedure and does not have any history that might contraindicate the implantation of a durable medical device. Third, if a physician observes that some aspect of the pain treatment is causing excessive stress to a patient in a way that might be making treatment more difficult for that patient, the doctor may refer them for psychological support. These types of referrals fall under the general heading of treatment interference, meaning that the patient’s stress level might be making their recovery from chronic pain more difficult or even ineffective.When a person in pain treatment recognizes that some aspect of the process is causing them difficulty, that person may choose to seek psychological support on their own. This is a self-referral to therapy. The therapist will listen to and support the patient in expressing their concerns and work with that person to develop affirmative strategies to cope with the stress of their pain treatment.Once a patient is in therapy, there are several cognitive-behavioral approaches that can help them adjust to their medical treatment and get the most benefit from it. Mind-body approaches that facilitate self-regulation while supporting healthy adjustment of expectations are beneficial to patients in treatment. Helping the patient manage their communication with the treatment team is also a way to reduce stress and provide better feedback about the medical treatment plan. Keeping a pain journal, using a treatment tracker, and having a support & recovery plan all help the patient stay actively engaged in treatment and cope more successfully with what can often be a stressful experience. By engaging psychological support as they undergo pain treatment, a person can draw on proven interventions and coping skills to make the pain journey less stressful and to make pain treatment more effective. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Episodes

Season Two, Episode Eleven: How Psychology Provides Support to the Chronic Pain Patient

Season Two, Episode Eleven: How Psychology Provides Support to the Chronic Pain Patient

This second episode focusing on the experience of chronic pain focuses on how psychologists and counselors support the patient in pain treatment. We first discuss how a person being treated for chronic pain would come to also be in psychological treatment. There are two pathways: the patient may be referred by their treating physician, or the patient may refer themselves.Physicians who treat pain tend to refer a patient to therapy for one of three general reasons. First, the physician may be considering a medication treatment plan that involves the use of powerful, pain-relieving opiate medication. When a physician is planning to pursue this form of treatment, it is usually recommended for the patient to be evaluated for risk factors that might argue against that treatment approach. In these cases, the physician may refer the patient for an Opioid Risk Evaluation. Second, if a patient might benefit from the implantation of a medical device, such as Spinal Cord or Peripheral Nerve Stimulator, their doctor may refer the patient for a psychological evaluation. This step is typically required by most major insurance carriers before they will pre-authorize such a procedure. The focus of the Device Evaluation is to ensure that the patient is informed about the procedure and does not have any history that might contraindicate the implantation of a durable medical device. Third, if a physician observes that some aspect of the pain treatment is causing excessive stress to a patient in a way that might be making treatment more difficult for that patient, the doctor may refer them for psychological support. These types of referrals fall under the general heading of treatment interference, meaning that the patient’s stress level might be making their recovery from chronic pain more difficult or even ineffective.When a person in pain treatment recognizes that some aspect of the process is causing them difficulty, that person may choose to seek psychological support on their own. This is a self-referral to therapy. The therapist will listen to and support the patient in expressing their concerns and work with that person to develop affirmative strategies to cope with the stress of their pain treatment.Once a patient is in therapy, there are several cognitive-behavioral approaches that can help them adjust to their medical treatment and get the most benefit from it. Mind-body approaches that facilitate self-regulation while supporting healthy adjustment of expectations are beneficial to patients in treatment. Helping the patient manage their communication with the treatment team is also a way to reduce stress and provide better feedback about the medical treatment plan. Keeping a pain journal, using a treatment tracker, and having a support & recovery plan all help the patient stay actively engaged in treatment and cope more successfully with what can often be a stressful experience. By engaging psychological support as they undergo pain treatment, a person can draw on proven interventions and coping skills to make the pain journey less stressful and to make pain treatment more effective. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Season 2, Episode 10: The Problem of Pain

Season 2, Episode 10: The Problem of Pain

In this episode we begin to explore the psychology of pain and pain management. We begin by discussing what pain is and what the function of pain is. We explore how acute, localized pain can develop into chronic, generalized pain. We then discuss the effect of chronic pain on the body and mind.Acute, localized pain will tend follow an “ideal” arc of pain treatment, beginning with the appearance of the pain as it is first noticed in the body. This awareness generally leads a person to reach out to a medical provider, who will initiate a process of investigation to determine the cause of the pain. This investigation will hopefully provide the information necessary for the medical team to devise an effective treatment plan, which should address the underlying cause of the pain, resulting in recovery to normal, pain-free functioning. However, when pain becomes chronic and/or generalized in the body, this brief, idealized arc of pain treatment can become an extended journey of pain treatment and, possibly, pain management. We highlight the four stages of this pain journey: crisis, investigation, treatment, and recovery/management. We examine these four stages in depth in order to understand how complications can arise along the way. We discuss how each stage can add additional stress on a person who is already struggling due to the pain overloading their system. We explain how the complications at each stage emphasize the need for effective support, for patient compliance, for clear communication, and for the strength and resilience to adjust to the process. This overview of pain, its effect on our body and mind, and the stages of the pain journey will serve as background for the next episode, in which we will discuss why patients in pain treatment are sometimes referred for mental health support and what kinds of interventions are most helpful for someone dealing with chronic pain.Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Season Two, Episode Nine: Bringing Trauma Home—Intergenerational Trauma and Interpersonal Dynamics

Season Two, Episode Nine: Bringing Trauma Home—Intergenerational Trauma and Interpersonal Dynamics

In this fourth episode on the topic of trauma, we shift from discussing the impact of trauma exposure on individuals to a discussion of how it affects families and couples. First, we discuss the phenomenon of intergenerational trauma, in which the negative consequences of exposure are passed from the generation directly involved to subsequent generations. There are two classic mechanisms for the transmission of this kind of suffering: it is passed through family lore, the stories and legends that families tell about their origins, and it is passed through the modeling of behaviors that represent survival strategies and attitudes formed during exposure to traumatic events. Over the past two decades, there has been growth in research into intergenerational trauma. A significant portion of this research has focused on two generational events: the European Holocaust during World War Two and the attack on America on September 11, 2001. Research data have highlighted that trauma patterns are transmitted not only through narrative and behavioral modes but have also caused changes to the DNA of those exposed that can then be passed along to the children of survivors. We then discuss how trauma impacts couples within the same generation. We explore how early family models of relationship and communication can affect the way an individual exposed to trauma may handle their symptoms in ways that can cause their close partner to also suffer negative outcomes. Both positive and negative early family models of communication can limit the options a survivor of traumatic exposure feels they have to address their symptoms within their partnership. We focus on unfortunate patterns of dysfunction that often occur within two particular examples of partnership by examining how trauma symptoms can be expressed in couples where one partner had been exposed to trauma through combat deployment and in couples where one partner had been exposed to childhood sexual assault. Although a person can not heal their partner’s symptoms, couples can commit to working together to facilitate healing and to learning communication skills in order to decrease the chances of them triggering and reinjuring each other. In any couple affected by the symptoms of traumatic exposure, there is always the hope of recovery, healing, and growth once the partners acknowledge what is happening and begin to address the problem together. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Season Two, Episode Eight: The Wounded Time Traveler

Season Two, Episode Eight: The Wounded Time Traveler

In this episode we continue the discussion of trauma by focusing on the impact of early childhood traumatic exposure throughout the lifespan and into adulthood. Exposure to trauma in early childhood can carry through to adulthood and may present in one of the following experiences: obsolete decisions, misdiagnosis, and the “frozen self.” We review how trauma can affect anyone, and we consider several reasons why children in particular may be vulnerable to the effects of traumatic exposure. We discuss how the neurophysiological systems of children are especially sensitive during early development, how the symptoms of traumatic exposure can be overlooked or overshadowed by normal stages of personality development, and how children’s lack of experience and worldview deprives them of necessary context for a fuller understanding of a crisis experience, leaving them vulnerable to over-generalization and magical thinking.We explore how the overwhelming impact of traumatic exposure at a young age can result in the child making survival-based decisions that do not adapt well as the child ages and matures. In adulthood, these obsolete or outdated decisions can affect a person’s functioning in ways that may seem mysterious, until the connection to the underlying trauma experience is discovered. We then discuss how childhood symptomatic reactions to traumatic exposure may result in a diagnosis that may describe the surface behaviors or moods but does not identify the trauma mechanism driving those behaviors and moods. Sadly, these diagnoses may follow a person through their life, stigmatizing them and cutting them off from potential sources of support and healing.Finally, we discuss the phenomenon of the “frozen self” or “frozen child.” This describes what can happen when traumatic exposure overwhelms the child and creates an obstacle at a particular stage in normal development. Although the child may recover and develop compensating strategies that serve them in most other areas of their life, in adulthood they may experience a dysphoria in certain circumstances that leads them to feel immature relative to their peers—like a part of them had become stuck back at the time of the original injury. The pathway to coming back from trauma that was discussed in the last episode—recovery, healing, and post-traumatic growth—still applies and provides a road map for healing childhood trauma. By understanding why early exposure to trauma may have serious ramifications into adulthood, we can learn to identify that trauma from childhood may still be impacting our lives as adults. The path of coming back from trauma through recovery and healing can lead to post-traumatic growth, no matter when the original injury happened. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Season Two, Episode Seven: Coming Back from Trauma -- Recovery, Healing, and Post-Traumatic Growth

Season Two, Episode Seven: Coming Back from Trauma -- Recovery, Healing, and Post-Traumatic Growth

In order to give hope and provide context to the healing process, in this episode we look at the three levels of coming back from a traumatic exposure: recovery, healing, and post-traumatic growth. In trauma recovery, the primary focus is on learning how to manage the symptoms that persist after exposure to traumatic stress. During this stage, the therapy process will focus on identifying which symptoms a person is experiencing and on understanding how these particular symptoms are affecting the person’s life. We discuss the mind/body model for treatment of trauma and describe how the Cognitive-Behavioral approach to mind/body treatment relates to the “bottom-up” and “top-down” approach discussed in Bessel van der Kolk’s book, The Body Keeps the Score.Over time, effective interventions targeting recovery may lead to a significant decrease in the frequency and intensity of symptoms, signaling a shift from recovery to healing. In the phase of trauma healing, the focus may change from introducing and applying mind/body interventions to a process of identifying triggers in the environment and working to reduce their negative impact on the patient. It is sometimes within this stage that patients begin to feel relief, only to be re-triggered by unexpected life events. We discuss how these episodes do not mean that a person must start back at the beginning, nor are they signs that a person is somehow weak or pathological. Rather, these setbacks can signal a need for more refined or enhanced coping skills along with a strategy to manage environmental triggers. The good news is that the work that the person has already put in can be a solid foundation for rapid recovery from even the most upsetting episodes.Finally, we discuss post-traumatic growth, which is the acknowledgement that some people who go through a traumatic experience can emerge on the other side with a greater degree of life skills, self-knowledge, and an expanded sense of meaning and purpose. We explore the five life domains that are often described as potential areas for growth as a person recovers and heals from trauma. Post-traumatic growth is an often overlooked or neglected aspect of trauma treatment, yet it can give people enormous hope to understand how they can emerge from a life challenge with greater strength and life satisfaction.By understanding the phases involved in coming back from trauma, a person can stay focused on their goal of recovering, healing, and growing after a traumatic experience. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Season Two, Episode Six: Understanding Trauma

Season Two, Episode Six: Understanding Trauma

In this episode we discuss the phenomenon of traumatic exposure in three parts. First, we define what trauma is and explore how the definition has changed and expanded over time. Second, we break down what is happening within our bodies when we are in the middle of a traumatic event. We discuss how the information associated with danger produces rapid, profound changes in our body and can overwhelm our mind’s ability to effectively deal with the situation. We take a look at a conceptual framework clinicians and researchers use to understand what is happening during trauma, the adaptive information processing model, and we discuss how it helps a person to understand the kinds of reactions they may have to traumatic exposure. Third, we discuss four major categories of reactions that a person can have after having gone through a traumatic event: reexperiencing, activation, avoidance, and negative cognitions/beliefs. We explore the different kinds of reexperiencing episodes a person may have following trauma and relate these back to the information processing model. We then explore types of activation in order to understand how they manifest. Coping mechanisms that involve avoidance behaviors are then described, in an effort to distinguish conscious and unconscious processes, and we touch on the possible role traumatic brain injuries can play in these behaviors. Finally, we explore how undergoing trauma can radically change a person’s world view, resulting in negative cognitions and beliefs about the safety of the world and the individual’s place in it.By understanding what trauma is, how it is processed in the body and mind during exposure, and what may happen following trauma, a person can better understand the path to recovering from traumatic exposure. This understanding will set the stage for beginning to visualize what trauma recovery looks like, for learning about approaches to healing trauma, and for discovering a pathway toward post-traumatic growth. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Season Two, Episode Five: Introduction to Therapy – Why Therapy Fails and How to Find the Right Therapist for You

Season Two, Episode Five: Introduction to Therapy – Why Therapy Fails and How to Find the Right Therapist for You

In this episode we conclude our two-part look at the process of psychotherapy. We discuss how therapy can be seen to fail when a patient participates but does not experience any relief from their symptoms and how therapy can be seen to be “stuck” when the patient does not feel any sense of progress in their treatment. We examine the phenomenon of therapeutic failure by discussing patient factors, therapist factors, and intervention factors. As discussed in the last episode, there are responsibilities in the role of both patient and therapist. In this episode, we explore how therapy becomes ineffective or stuck when these responsibilities are neglected. For patients who have had unsatisfying therapy experiences, this knowledge can help them understand why the process broke down and empower them to address these issues with their current therapist or someone else who might be a better fit for that patient. Boundaries and ground rules of therapy are also discussed, as these provide safety for the patient and ensure that the therapist does no harm to the patient.Finally, we engage in a practical discussion of how to go about finding a therapist, what kinds of questions to ask as you are interviewing a potential therapist, and what to expect as you begin a therapeutic relationship.By better understanding what causes therapy to stall or fail, you can learn how to choose a therapist that is a good fit for your needs and how to properly evaluate the progress within that therapeutic relationship. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Season Two, Episode Four: Introduction to Therapy – What It Is and How it Works

Season Two, Episode Four: Introduction to Therapy – What It Is and How it Works

In this episode we begin a two-part look at the process of psychotherapy. We define the process of talk therapy, and we discuss the roles and responsibilities of both the person seeking therapy and the person providing therapy. We explain the difference between the use of the terms “client” and “patient” and examine the context behind the use of these two terms. The person seeking therapy has two basic responsibilities in therapy: to disclose relevant information about how their issue/concern is impacting their life, and to participate in the therapy process. We then discuss the role and many responsibilities of the professional who provides therapy. We also explain what an intervention is and how it relates to the responsibilities of the provider.We then turn our attention to exploring the ways in which psychotherapy helps people get better. As an overview, we discuss the listening intervention, the feedback intervention, the use of homework or experiments, and the intervention of therapeutic modeling, sometimes called “re-parenting."For those considering whether or not to try therapy, this episode can provide an introduction and orientation that will demystify the therapeutic process and help them set their expectations. For the person who is or has been in therapy, this episode can serve as a practical explanation and review of the boundaries and proper function of the therapeutic relationship.Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Season Two, Episode Three: How the Past Affects Our Present Relationships

Season Two, Episode Three: How the Past Affects Our Present Relationships

Part Two: The Power of PatternsIn the second part of this two-part series on relationships, we look at how repeating patterns of conflict are created in relationships, and we look at how to identify and address these negative cycles. First, we discuss how our earliest experiences as infants with our caregivers condition the neurophysiological basis of these patterns. Second, we discuss how the experiences we have in childhood with our larger family system and with other children shape our cognitive-behavioral patterns within relationships. In the third part of the episode, we explore how these patterns can be identified and addressed on your own or within a therapy relationship.In order to understand our destructive patterns, we must embark on a mindful evaluation of our significant relationships by conducting a relationship inventory. For each person we consider to have been a significant relationship in our life, we examine what attracted us to that person, what the good aspects of the relationship were, what the trouble spots of the relationship were, and what ultimately broke up the relationship (or, in relationships that are still active, we look at how difficult conflicts are resolved between us and our partner). We analyze the dynamics of the relationship not to assign blame, but to understand how difficulties gain a foothold in our relationships and to see what might be driving them. We look for how these patterns affect our partner selection criteria, our evaluation of the quality of our relationships, and our communication strategy with our partner. Ultimately, our goal is to see what has to change in order to end these destructive patterns and to create the conditions for healthier, more connected relationships.We can learn to understand how we came to co-create recurring negative patterns in our relationships, and we can learn how to make positive changes in the way we select a potential partner, evaluate a relationship, and communicate with our partner. We can make changes that bring us closer to fulfilling the full potential of loving partnership.Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Season Two, Episode Two: How the Past Affects Our Present Relationships

Season Two, Episode Two: How the Past Affects Our Present Relationships

Part One: Attachment TheoryIn honor of February and Valentine’s Day, we begin a two-part exploration into how our past affects the quality of our relationships. In Part One, we begin by discussing attachment theory. Since its introduction in the 1950s and its refinement over the years, attachment theory has become the dominant view of how our early childhood experiences come to influence the types of relationships we have as adults. We will explore the background and experimental basis of attachment theory and discuss in detail the four attachment styles that flow from the experimental work of Dr. John Bowlby and others. We will look at how the early experiences that form our attachment style come into play in our adult relationships, especially in our primary, romantic relationships. We will also discuss the relevance and limitations of attachment theory as a pathway to improve our relationships.Our early childhood experiences with our caregivers often condition us to seek out and repeat certain kinds of experiences in our adult relationships. We can gain understanding of these styles in order to make positive changes that will bring us greater joy, intimacy, and connection with our partners. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Season Two, Episode One: The Psychology of Self-Esteem

Season Two, Episode One: The Psychology of Self-Esteem

Self esteem is a way of describing how we think and feel about ourselves and our worthiness. While low self-esteem (or low self-confidence) is not a specific diagnosis or separate pathology, it is often a component of mental health diagnoses. In addition, low self-esteem is a common complaint that comes up in the course of psychotherapy.The Two-Factor theory of self-esteem says that our level of self-esteem is a product of what we do and what we say to ourselves about what we do. If we are engaged in behavior that is wrong in some way—i.e., it falls short of the standards we hold—it leads us to hold a negative view of ourselves. When our behavior is objectively acceptable and not inherently or morally wrong, we might still have a low opinion of ourselves. We might be holding ourselves to an unreasonable standard that we have adopted from a source outside of ourselves, such as the opinion of an earlier authority figure in our lives. Often, the way in which we receive and process positive feedback and compliments is a primary way in which we are speaking to ourselves about the things we are doing. To build self-esteem, we must have the courage to reflect on the charges we are holding against ourselves and the commitment to examine where these standards come from. We must engage in a process of evaluating these standards and decide for ourselves whether or not they are reasonable standards. We must consider whether the metrics for our self-assessment are based on objective, measurable factors or simply based on how we are feeling. Finally, we can learn to take in positive feedback from a place of humble gratitude, which begins to retrain our mind to assess our own behavior in a way that is more reasonable, more compassionate, and more objective. By bringing our behavior into alignment with standards we believe in, we will naturally re-shape the things we say and feel about ourselves. This begins and sustains the process of building healthy self-esteem. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Episode Nine: Making The Best Resolution You Can for a Great Year Ahead

Episode Nine: Making The Best Resolution You Can for a Great Year Ahead

Have you made resolutions in the past, only to fall back into the same old patterns a little while later? Why do get trapped into patterns of failure? If we are to make changes for the better in our lives, we need to understand why we keep doing the same actions over and over again, even when we know they will result in failure.When we are trapped in patterns that don’t serve us, we stop seeing reality as it is. Instead, we filter out the broader information available to us and take in only a small slice of what is actually happening. This process of filtering data to fit what we are used to can lead us to believe that we already know all there is to know about a situation or person in our lives. This fallacy of certitude reinforces the information we already have and closes us off to new perspectives that might help us to actually solve the problem. We repeat the pattern of behavior, thinking we know all there is to know, and we keep reaping terrible results. Without fail, this downward spiral leads us to conclude that change is not possible and that things will never get better. We can resolve to see reality as it is, observing what is actually in front of us with fresh eyes. We can resolve to pursue humility about what we know, rekindling curiosity in our lives, opening the door to learning and growing. As we take in new information, we can learn new skills and try new approaches to problem solving, and this gives us the courage to resolve to make positive changes in our lives.Like an artist who uses the power of observation to bring a fresh perspective to a work of art that moves us, we can refresh our natural curiosity and begin to approach life with more hope.Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Episode Eight: Gratitude, Selfless Service, and the Power of Focus

Episode Eight: Gratitude, Selfless Service, and the Power of Focus

During this season, it is natural to evaluate the past year and to think about our plans for the new year. In the process of self-assessment, we should avoid the tendency to focus only on the negatives.Where we put our attention tends to expand and become confirmed by the information we filter into our conscious attention. Cognitive distortion can occur, and this is a significant component in both depressive and anxiety disorders. Excessive focus on ourselves, our problems, and our mistakes can quickly lead to a spiral of negative thoughts. We can understand the importance of learning to shift our focus away from ourselves and onto more positive subjects.We can train our minds to pay attention to the many ways we are supported in daily life, and that will help us feel gratitude for the blessings around us. Even on our worst days, we can choose to notice the complex web of human activities that support our life, giving us hope and helping us feel a sense of positive connection with the community and world around us.When we have a grateful attitude, we naturally fill up with good feelings. With a heart full of gratitude, we can put our attention on serving others with acts of genuine kindness. Human history and modern research demonstrate the many positive benefits of engaging in acts of service, both to ourselves and to our community. Our spirits are lifted, and our community benefits from an increase in social cohesion.We can learn to focus on gratitude, lifting our own level of mental health and making our community a warmer, more-connected place.Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Episode Seven: Surviving the Holiday Season

Episode Seven: Surviving the Holiday Season

The holiday season can be a time for happiness and creating good memories, but it can also be a time of stress. Unrealistic expectations, a lack of structure, and over-indulgence can put pressure on us and our ability to cope. If we travel to spend time with family we haven’t seen in a while, old family dynamics and dysfunction can throw even the most grounded person off-balance. Why is it sometimes so hard to be around family and old friends? What lies beneath the unhealthy patterns of conflict that can emerge during the holiday season? By understanding and managing our expectations, we can set and attain more reasonable goals for the holiday visit. By analyzing past holiday successes and failures, we can develop a plan to make this holiday season much less stressful and more enjoyable. By focusing on a few sound guidelines, we can give ourselves and our loved ones a chance at reducing old patterns of conflict and having a truly happy holiday season.Holidays are meant to be enjoyed, not just survived! By preparing ahead of time and taking better care of ourselves, the holidays can once again be a time of connection, renewal, and treasured memories. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Episode Six: Understanding and Applying the Technology of Forgiveness

Episode Six: Understanding and Applying the Technology of Forgiveness

Human beings learn by making mistakes and learning from them. Living in relationship with other people, we will inevitably end up hurting others and being hurt by other people. Therefore, it is crucial for our development and social survival that we understand and apply the technology of forgiveness. We must understand the process of asking for and extending forgiveness to other people. In this episode, we will examine the meaning of forgiveness and investigate why it can be so hard to forgive ourselves and other people for the injuries we sustain. We will break down the components of an effective apology, which can set the stage for healing in relationships where we have hurt other people, and we will discuss an in-depth process that will help us to forgive others for the debts we hold against them for the injuries they have caused us. We can learn to understand and apply the technology of forgiveness to bring healing to ourselves and our relationships.Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Episode Five: Learning to Improve Our Communication Strategy

Episode Five: Learning to Improve Our Communication Strategy

Communication is a shared process of conveying information between people. The goal of communication is to get our needs met. When communication breaks down, it often causes resistance, defensiveness, and anger between people. By learning an improved strategy, we can learn to identify and express our needs with others in a way that can bring us closer together, achieve resolution to conflict, and increase our satisfaction in relationships. In this episode, we discuss the purpose of communication, we look at the ways communication breaks down, we take an in-depth look at the model of Non-Violent Communication, which provides an effective roadmap for improving our communication strategy, and we discuss several outcomes from applying a new strategy in communicating with others. We can learn to improve our strategy of communication, increasing our chances of having satisfying and meaningful relationships with other people. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Episode Four: Teaching the Old Mind New Tricks

Episode Four: Teaching the Old Mind New Tricks

Once we have learned how to get some relief from repetitive negative thoughts, it frees us up to use our minds to improve important areas of our life. People have intuitively known for a long time that the quality of our thoughts impacts the body—for better or worse. Advances in research into neuroimmunology and epigenetics have shown that harnessing the power of positive thinking can improve our health in numerous ways. We can learn to use affirmations, repeating positive, true, and present-tense statements to improve our motivation and shape our behavior. We can learn to use imaginal rehearsal to unlock better sports performance, artistic performance, and performance in many other areas in our life. We can learn to use the power of imagination to facilitate healing more quickly and more efficiently within our body. We can use our imagination to clarify our goals and values, which can help us live more purposeful and meaningful lives. Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Episode Three: How to Become Mindful of the Mind

Episode Three: How to Become Mindful of the Mind

Negative thinking can affect our mood, impact our behavior, and compromise our ability to effectively use our mind. When our mind is working for us, it helps us to solve problems, to generate creative ideas, and to organize and manage information and our time. When it is repeating distressing pictures or statements, our mind can become our own worst enemy.In this episode, we learn how to develop a better relationship with our own mind by becoming mindful of the mind itself. We approach this on three different levels: by developing better awareness of our thinking, by developing better understanding of our thinking, and by developing better responses to our negative thinking. Specific, concrete exercises are discussed that, when applied, can help us to gain better control of our thoughts and to make better use of our creative potential.Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Episode Two: Building the Bridge between Mind and Body

Episode Two: Building the Bridge between Mind and Body

In Episode 2, we delve more deeply into the mechanisms behind compartmentalization: Resistance and Stress Intolerance. We explore what is happening when we push emotions away and discuss practical Mind and Body approaches to help us learn to tolerate emotions in order to hear what they are trying to tell us about our reality.Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.

Episode One: The Good News about Bad Feelings

Episode One: The Good News about Bad Feelings

In this episode, we explore the meaning of emotions and discuss 4 common "negative" emotions that people often seek therapy about: sadness, fear, anger, and guilt. We discuss what these emotions are trying to tell us about our reality, and we cover some basic strategies for understanding these emotions. We also spend some time talking about the process of ignoring, or compartmentalizing, emotions.Support the Show.Thank you for listening!Please subscribe and share with your friends.Recorded and edited at Studio 970West, Grand Junction, CO.CLICK HERE to support Peace, Love, & Psychology Podcast.