Psychology America With Dr. Alexandra

This episode is about identifying our values and living according to them, including strategies to help us from getting distracted and derailed.   In this episode Tom Russo, author of There are no Politics in Heaven, shares some of the life lessons he has learned including overcoming his earlier years of being bullied, escaping into the unsavory aspects of political power, finding and living according to his deepest values and transforming into a servant-leader.    Dr. Alexandra teaches listeners about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) along the way.   Thomas Russo, a former elected official in two NJ municipalities, currently serves as town manager of Newton NJ in addition to teaching at Seton Hall University and Pillar College.  Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra)

Dr. Alexandra, Dr. Michelle Pievsky and Neill Clark share seven practical tips on how to cope with stressful and unexpected circumstances.For further podcasts that may be particularly helpful for coping during COVID 19, search Psychology America with Dr. Alexandra for. . . .Caring for our Immune System:#31. Mind Your Microbiota#16.  Your Best SleepGeneral Coping:  #4.  Facing Our Fears#25. Resilience, Overcoming and Fortitude#20.  For Couples:  The Second Shift#5.  When Our Thoughts Get in the Way (and How to Get Relief)#19. Facing the Unknown Part 1#29. GriefThank you to my 5th grade son George for the cover artwork.  Find his artwork and photography on toads and more at his artwork (@grego.andrew).  Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra)

I so enjoyed this conversation on the “Love and Psychology of Dogs” and am excited to share it with you!  The guests on this podcast episode are Dr. Nancy Shay, veterinarian and Jeannette Carpenter, dog walker.   Join us as we discuss the following and more:our thoughts on recent research on the “intelligence,” including emotional intelligence, of dogs dogs’ emotions and sense of moralityamazing research on the effects dog ownership has on the health of children and adults Dr. Nancy has worked at the Highlands Veterinary Hospital in Sparta, New Jersey for 22 years.  She has a special interest in physical rehabilitation and animal behavior.  She earned her veterinary degree from University College Dublin Veterinary School of Ireland and is currently working toward her certification in canine rehabilitation.Jeannette Carpenter has owned her own dog walker/pet sitter business for 10 years.   I have aways enjoyed and appreciated her funny and moving stories about her “clients.”  In this recorded conversation I es

I am grateful to have experienced joy and even bliss when my children were infants and toddlers, but this is not always the case.  In fact, on this show I learned that 80% of mothers experience postpartum blues.    In this episode you’ll also learn: Advice on screen time for infants and toddlersInfants, toddlers and sleepThe best way for little ones to learn languageHow to discipline a toddlerWhat both she and I might do differently in raising our infants and toddlersDr. Michelle Arkow Pievsky, PhD is an expert on the psychology of infants and toddlers and serves as a fellow at both Youth Consultation Service Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health in East Orange, NJ and at Mindful Assessment and Psychological Services in Pequannock, NJ.  Her many publications include a meta analysis on the neurocognitive profile of ADHD.  Last year Dr. Pievsky presented on many topics, including  “Autism Spectrum Disorder in Primary Care” and “A Behavioral Health Toolbox for Pediatricians.”  Enjoy!  Support the show

This episode inspired me to change the way I eat and I’m excited to share this topic with others.   Guest Jeanne Petrucci and I discuss the connection between our mood, our health and the gut, including: *  Promising research on how our gut impacts our mood and vice versa*  What it means for the gut to be “leaky” and its relation to inflammation and the immune system*  The gut and the increase in food sensitivities *  What to feed the gut for your health and cancer prevention*  The role of fecal transplants*  What pregnant women and parents of young children need to know about the gutJeanne Petrucci is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the founder of Living Plate (livingplate.org), an organization which seeks out the latest scientific research on nutrition and then shares that information through educational and culinary programs.  Enjoy!  Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra)

With compassion and elegance the guest on today’s episode, Dr. Nancy McWilliams, helps listeners understand the following and more:  What is healthy versus pathological narcissism? Can certain parenting create narcissistic personalities?What are some practical suggestions for those in a romantic relationship with a partner with narcissistic tendencies?What does it feel like if you have narcissistic personality disorder and what can help?What is overt, covert and psychopathic narcissism?What if you work for someone with narcissistic tendencies? How can companies spot narcissistic tendencies when hiring leaders?Dr. Nancy McWilliams (nancymcw@aol.com) teaches at Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology and practices in Lambertville, New Jersey. She is author of Psychoanalytic Diagnosis (1994, rev. ed. 2011), Psychoanalytic Case Formulation (1999), and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (2004) and is associate editor of the Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual, 2nd ed. (2017). A former p

Guest Dr. Deb Bernstein (drdebbernstein.com) endured the loss of her young brother, her young romantic love and most recently both her mother and father.  As a clinical psychologist she has specialized in grief through research and through her 35 year private practice in Warwick, NY.  In this episode Dr. Deb and I discuss the following and more:   The many and varied symptoms of acute grief and how long it lasts How our relationship with the deceased affects our grief, such as when we have mixed feelings about them How Elizabeth Kubler-Ross apologized about how her “Stages of Grief” were misconstrued How to respond to a grieving friend Strategies for copingSome books and authors we brought up in our conversation include:  When the Bough Breaks:  Forever After the Death of a Son or Daughter  by Judith R. Bernstein, Ph.D.Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy, Fifth Edition:  A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner  by J. William Worden PhDThe Other Side of Sadness: What the New Science of Bereavement Tells U

Did you know that most people with dementia don’t notice that they’ve had memory loss or personality changes?  It tends to be relatives and close friends that notice it and then encourage the individual to seek an evaluation. I learned from the guest on this episode that the “self awareness” part of the brain is likely to be one of the areas harmed by dementia!     In this episode, also learn: How do Dementia symptoms differ from normal aging?  How can one tell the difference between Dementia and depression?  What does research recommend on how to prevent dementia?What steps should you or family take once a Dementia diagnosis has been made?What is the latest technology on identifying Alzheimer’s Disease?What is it like for those caring for the Dementia patient?  The guest on today’s episode is Dr. Michelle Papka (www.thecrcnj.com, 973-850-4622), who has nearly 25 years' combined experience as a researcher and clinician specializing in the field of aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. She practices a

Your heart is racing,  your hands are tingling, you can’t breathe and you wonder:  “Is this a heart attack?  Why does it feel like the world is crashing down on me?”In this episode learn: * What a panic attack is and is not* Evidence-based strategies for overcoming panic* The role of medication when treating panic disorder *  The treatment approach for Tourette’s syndrome, a disorder related to motor and vocal tics, another expertise held by the episode guest.   Expert guest for this episode is Dr. Rob Zambrano, a psychologist at Stress and Anxiety Services of New Jersey (stressandanxiety.com).  Dr. Zambrano, who specializes in panic, Tourette’s syndrome and the anxiety spectrum disorders, will surprise listeners with what may seem like a paradoxical strategy to overcoming a panic attack.  This episode is dedicated to Ginnie’s House, a non-profit organization which provides 100% free therapy to abused children and their caregivers.  Learn more at ginnieshouse.org. Thank you _geogre.art_ , my son, for the phot

Two days after my first baby Rebecca was born, as I held her, nursed her and loved her so much, I also mourned. . . knowing that one day I would need to let her go.    Now she’s seventeen, lovely, and about to enter her senior year of high school.  At the end of next summer she’ll be living at college.  It’ll soon be the start of her launch, and her freedom.  When she comes back, she’ll have already tasted independence like never before. . . In this episode on “Launching Children and Letting Go” learn about:  What it’s like for parents after children are launchedHealthy and unhealthy attachmentWhat it means when the adolescent or teenager “pulls away” How to prevent secrets and lying with adolescents and teenagersHow to “let go” of childrenHow to assist children with moving toward independenceInspirational examplesSong by Tom Askin of PonderRosa Studios, butterfly illustration by Briana GiasulloSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra)

Parents like myself would like to know that their children will “be okay” and bounce back should bad things happen to them, and tough times will inevitably happen in life.  How can we build skills in ourselves and in our children to be able to “bounce back” and grow stronger from adversity?Expert guest Heidi Keller, PhD discusses resilience, how we can have more of it and how we can teach our children to have more of it.   Dr. Keller, a clinical psychologist, has been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and at the end of the episode she talks about how what she has learned about resilience has helped her.  Other topics discussed include:  Three practical questions that help build resilience in adults and childrenThree ways the people who have experienced abuse or trauma are different than othersHow the self-esteem movement in the United States was unhelpfulThe wrong way to compliment a child and the best way to give a child encouragementWhat the U.S. military does to teach soldiers resilienceFor listeners

I am excited to share this episode with you not only because Kevin is a dear friend from college but because he is one of the most delightful and interesting people I know!    Our conversation in this episode includes:   What it’s like for non-traditional and African American fathers battling stereotype expectations about fatherhoodHow men’s bodies change once they become fathers, including decreases in testosteroneThe “father culture” of SwedenFathers in prison“Dead Broke” DadsReforming child support to include the economic value of “time spent.”Spoken and unspoken rules about storytelling and its impact on societyKevin Maillard (kevinmaillard.com) is Professor of Law at Syracuse University and a contributing editor to the New York Times.  He specializes in Family Law, Constitutional Law, and popular culture. He also has written for The Atlantic and has provided on-air commentary to ABC News and MSNBC. He is the co-editor of Loving v. Virginia in a Post-Racial World (with Rose Villazor, Cambridge 2012).  An

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is characterized by having a combination of obsessions (when you have repetitive persistent worries that are hard to dismiss) and compulsions or rituals (these provide temporary relief from obsessions).  These obsessions and compulsions are very disruptive - disruptive enough to create problems in one’s relationships, work, school or general functioning.  Do you think you have OCD or do you suspect a loved one or co-worker has it?  Learn about the true definition of OCD, evidence based treatments and helpful resources through this episode of Psychology America with Dr. Alexandra.  I love the stories this guest shares!  Expert guest Dr. Allen Weg, psychologist, is the Co-Founder and President of the Board of OCD New Jersey, an affiliate of the International OCD Foundation.  He is the author and presenter of  "OCD Tips," a series of short YouTube video clips and the author of OCD Treatment Through Storytelling: A Strategy for Successful Therapy.  Dr. Weg has been fe

Individuals identified as having Borderline Personality Disorder may show some or all of these symptoms: intense emotions, frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, recurring conflict in relationships, impulsive or reckless behavior, self harm, chronic feelings of loneliness or boredom, frequent outbursts of anger, switching between loving someone and then hating them and suspiciousness about others.  In this episode learn:  What is Borderline Personality Disorder and how can we better understand it?What it’s like for family members and loved ones and what can they do to cope or help?How can things improve for individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder?Expert guest Emily Biggs-Heisler has worked on a treatment study at the New York State Psychiatric Institute comparing the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in a population with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).  Her dissertation at Fairleigh Dickinson Univers

If you haven’t had a chance to hear this podcast episode I highly recommend it!  Fascinating new learning from Robert McGrath, Ph.D. who just co-authored (with Ryan Niemiec) The Power of Character Strengths:  Appreciate and Ignite Your Positive Personality (https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578434296/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_-xVFCb972S2HK), a book which teaches us about positive psychology while offering practical “how to” ideas for self improvement.   The delightful conversation in this podcast offers interesting ideas and stories gleaned from Dr. McGrath’s world expertise on positive psychology, including:  * What are the six virtues that religious and moral traditions across the planet have in common?*  What have studies of over one million people determined to be the “essential three” virtues*  What does it really take to be a good person?* What are the roles of courage, curiosity and humor?* What can Ben Franklin teach us about virtues?* Can we have too much of a virtue?* What happens if you are great at one virt

You and your loved one have each had busy and full working days and you both feel mentally and physically tired.  It’s now evening and you’re both home.  At this point, who continues to “work?”  Who is still seen moving  around - getting things cleaned, getting things ready, cooking, and caring for the needs of the home and/or children?  The time we spend working after working hours, which includes those evening times and weekend hours, is referred to as the “Second Shift,” a term coined by author Arlie Hochschild.   In this episode learn:** What research has found about men and women today - who works more overall?** How to discuss and negotiate the Second Shift responsibilities of living together** Steps to take if your spouse or loved one doesn't wish to changeSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra)

Worry about the unknown can take up our precious time and energy.  We may feel like the worry is going to help us control the outcome, but chances are constant worrying about the unknown is wasting our time!  This podcast offers a few practical steps for productively dealing with the unknown so that we can instead turn our energy toward our more fulfilling, productive and meaningful commitments.  Learn: *   Why our brains assume the worst when facing the unknown*   How repeated chronic stress can leads to back and stomach pain*   How to move out of the physical state of stress when it’s *bad**   How to mentally shift our perspective when facing the unknownThis podcast is dedicated to Ginnie’s House, a non-profit which offers free therapy for abused children.  Learn more or support them at ginnieshouse.org.  Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dralexandra)

Forgiving isn’t excusing or forgetting; it is a decision that gives greater physical and psychological health to the forgiver.  In this episode Dr. Enright provides profound insights into forgiveness including:*  How and why forgiveness benefits the forgiver*  Practical, proven steps on how to actually forgive*  How to forgive after being betrayed by unfaithfulness*  What five steps to take if you have been unfaithful *  What to do when the person you need to forgive is yourself*  How to forgive someone who has already died*  How to get over divorce anger*  The unexpected and beneficial effects of offering mercy to the offender*  How to prevent your own excessive anger from “living on” in your children and future generationsDr. Enright is a professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and the pioneer of the scientific study of forgiveness.    He is the author of seven books, including ”8 Keys to Forgiveness” and the children’s book “Rising Above the Storm Clouds: What it’s Like to Forgive.”

I’ve been experiencing chronic pain in my arm very recently which I attributed to overuse from playing tennis.  This conversation got me really thinking about what this injury could mean on a deeper level.  In this episode my expert guest and I explore: Can negative thoughts such as “unspeakable anger" manifest as pain in our bodies?Why is it that two people can show the same exact damage from an injury on an MRI but feel the pain in two very different ways?What are some steps we can take to help our chronic pain go away?   Can working through our past and present anger prevent chronic pain from emerging?My guest for this episode, Dr. Jeff Axelbank, is a psychologist and expert on chronic pain.  Dr. Axelbank is a recipient of the New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA) Psychologist of the Year Award and the Rutgers University Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) Peterson Prize for outstanding contributions to professional psychology.    Learn more about his work and practice

In my podcast Episode 7 entitled “Commitment to Self Care and Self Care for Commitment” I discuss five life habits that I found helpful for taking care of my energy… because what good is free time if we have no energy within that free time to pursue our most meaningful commitments?  One of the strategies I mentioned is to take care of my sleep through the principles of “sleep hygiene.”    Since then listeners have asked for a podcast on this topic.  My guest for this episode is Anna Urbaniak, who teaches sleep hygiene on a daily basis to US Veterans at the VA Hospital in East Orange NJ, USA.   Anna specializes in the treatment of anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).In this episode we learn about: Practices we should follow to achieve our best sleepThe link between sleep and larger appetite How sleep deprivation affects our brainsTeenager and elderly patterns of sleepDividing sleep into two parts in the evening (bifurcated sleep)This episode is dedicated to Gi