Category: State of Mind
STATE of MIND – Mental Health First Aid for COVID-19 (17)
Episode #17: Debra Sloss is joined by Anastasia Baboulevich and psychotherapist Kara Bowman, LMFT to talk about ways to help those with mental health conditions cope with the COVID-19 outbreak. Anastasia shares how she is experiencing and dealing with the situation while trying to support her vulnerable mental health. Kara Bowman, LMFT offers helpful suggestions about ways to support one’s self and loved ones during these unprecedented times. Full of practical suggestions you can adopt right away, this show includes an extensive list of mental health resources, most of which are free.
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STATE of MIND – Anorexia Nervosa: An Unconventional Recovery Story (16)
Episode #16: Debra Sloss is joined by biomedical writer Evelyn Strauss and Psychotherapist Jeanne Willis, LMFT to talk about recovery from eating disorders, specifically, Anorexia Nervosa. Evelyn shares how she worked her way out of the physical and psychological manifestations of anorexia through a self-created and unconventional path. By facing her fear of being fat, she made lasting peace with food and her body. Jeanne, a psychotherapist who specializes in eating disorders, educates us about the types and prevalence of these conditions, dispels commonly held myths, discusses the types of treatments available, and shares resources to help support recovery.
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STATE of MIND – Parenting Transgender Youth Remix (15)
Episode #15: In this STATE OF MIND episode Debra Sloss, LMFT is joined by parent advocate Heidi Korokowski and gender therapist Daniel Blumrosen, LMFT to talk about the unique and often challenging experience of parenting a transgender child, They discuss how to provide support for your loved one and where to find help and support for yourself. This show originally aired a year ago, when KSQD was in its first week of broadcasting. Because the topic is of such relevance in our community, we are re-broadcasting it.
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STATE of MIND – Psychiatric Service Dogs (14)
Episode #14: Debra Sloss is joined by Rita & dog trainer Lori Katz to discuss the important roles that specially trained Psychiatric Service Dogs perform. These dogs help their owners with conditions like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and severe anxiety. Trained in obedience and task performance, and working in distracting public environments, these dogs perform tasks that enable their handler to function in ordinary ways that the non-disabled person might take for granted. Rita shares her experience of having had a psychiatric service dog and of training dogs for herself and her son. Lori, a longtime dog trainer, helps us understand how these dogs are trained, the kinds of services they can provide, and where and how someone might go about training or obtaining a psychiatric service dog. Lori also clarifies the differences between the increasingly popular “emotional support animal” and a psychiatric service dog. Joining us for the interview are Rita’s service dog in training, Momo, and Lori’s dog, Chopa.
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STATE of MIND – Demystifying Postpartum Depression & Anxiety (13)
Episode #13: Debra Sloss is joined by Laura Vollset & Maggie Muir to discuss Perinatal Depression & Anxiety (PPD). Laura shares her experience of having had debilitating PPD after the birth of her twins. She sought treatment, found support, and wended her way to back to wellness and joy in parenting. Maggie Muir, a Licensed Psychotherapist, Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and Perinatal Support Group Leader explains what PPD is, who is at risk, and how and where mothers and family members can get help.
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STATE of MIND – Adult ADHD remix (12)
Episode #12: In this STATE of MIND episode, Debra Sloss is joined by guests Judy Brenis and Hannah Jones to discuss Adult ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). Hannah shares the story of her struggles that led to an adult ADHD diagnosis. She learned to understand and accept herself, and she developed strategies to accomplish her goals and dreams. Judy Brenis shares her experience and wisdom gained from having a child with ADHD, leading ADHD support groups for parents and adults, and working as an ADHD coach. Debra, Hannah, and Judy explore the challenges faced by people with ADHD, how to get properly diagnosed, where to find support and resources, and how adult ADHD differs from childhood ADHD. This was the first STATE of MIND show ever recorded (over a year ago) and was previously released only as a podcast. It has now been re-edited for broadcast.
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STATE of MIND – Healing from Dysfunctional Families, The Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) Program & More (11)
Episode #11: In this STATE OF MIND episode, Debra Sloss, LMFT is joined by ACA Program participants Bill Trimpy and Birch Curry to discuss their childhoods in dysfunctional families, the lasting impacts of those experiences, and how they found support and growth in the 12-step Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA) & Dysfunctional Families Program.
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STATE of MIND – Practicing Compassion for Self & Others (10)
Episode #10: In this STATE OF MIND episode, Debra Sloss, LMFT is again joined by Buddhist nun and teacher Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi along Patrick McGinn, one of her mindfulness studies students, to discuss how simple compassion skill practices can help people learn to be gentler with themselves and others, and to feel happier in their lives. Venerable Tenzin shares tips on how to begin practicing compassion and gives examples of how to use these skills. Patrick, a practicing Buddhist, describes how these skills have helped him to be less judgmental and led him to greater joy and connection with others. He also tells how he learned these skills, and shares simple things he does to keep them alive and working in his life.
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STATE of MIND – Managing Emotions Mindfully (9)
Episode #9: In this STATE OF MIND episode Debra Sloss, LMFT is joined by Buddhist nun and teacher, Venerable Tenzin Chogkyi and mindfulness student Holly Costa to discuss how simple mindfulness practices can help people learn to manage their emotions more effectively, improve relationships, and increase ease in their lives even during challenging times. Venerable Tenzin talks about the value of being aware (or mindful) of our emotions and shares specific skills that can be used to help manage them. Holly, a new mindfulness student, insightfully describes how employing these skills has helped her have better relationships at work and with family members who have mental illness and addiction challenges.
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STATE of MIND – Seniors & Loneliness: Lives at Risk (8)
Episode #8: In this STATE OF MIND episode Debra Sloss, LMFT is joined by former dentist Tim Znamirowskilo and social worker Elizabeth Hutton to discuss the issue of isolation in older adults and the mental and physical health risks associated with loneliness. Tim shares his personal challenges with isolation and depression, while Elizabeth sheds light on the many problems older adults face and where to find help. Adult Services Director Mike McConnell also joins the conversation to share about the new exhibit “We’re Still Here” now showing at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History (MAH) that was created by local seniors and features the many challenges they face. Most of us have at least one older adult in our lives, so tune in for this informative discussion and learn more about the many challenges they face and about supports and services available to them.
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