Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes
Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes
Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes
Counselors, coaches and sober companions help hundreds of thousands of people affected by Addictions and Mental Health issues each year. Learn about the current research and practical counseling tools to improve your skills and provide the best possible services. Counselor Toolbox targets counselors, coaches and companions, but can also provide useful counseling self-help tools for persons struggling with these issues and their loved ones. AllCEUs is an approved counseling continuing education provider for addiction and mental health counselors in most states. Counseling CEUs are available for each episode.
1120  - The Importance of Gut Health for Mental Health | A Counselor's Guide
00:00 Introduction & Importance of Gut Microbiome 00:40 Gut Microbiome and Stress Connection 02:02 How Stress Affects the Gut 03:34 Neurochemicals and Recovery from Stress 04:30 Fight or Flight vs. Rest and Digest 05:06 Chronic Stress and Vicious Cycles in the Gut 06:14 How the Microbiome Produces Key Neurotransmitters 08:08 Microbiome, Hormones, and Circadian Rhythms 09:05 Thyroid, Disbiosis & Symptom Overview 10:14 Microbiome Disruption Symptoms and Circadian Issues 11:19 Sleep, Hormones, and Microbiome Testing 12:03 Disbiosis in Clinical and Nonclinical Populations 13:04 Inflammation and Leaky Gut 14:04 Diet, Fiber, and Supporting Gut Health 15:24 Inflammation, Immunity, and Gut Diversity 16:20 Fatigue, Brain Fog, and Gut Imbalances 18:09 Pain and How the Microbiome Influences It 19:13 Supporting Microbiome Health Through Collaboration 19:49 Impulsivity, Neurodegeneration & Leaky Gut 21:42 Neuroinflammation, Brain Health, and Proteins 22:57 Emotional & Cognitive Impacts of Disbiosis 23:57 Gut Bacteria, Mood, and Value Assignment 25:02 Developmental Impacts & Antibiotics 28:01 Cognitive Symptoms & Processing Bias in Disbiosis 29:13 Attention, Concentration & Cognitive Slowing 32:01 Environmental Sensitivity & GABA 34:34 Helping Clients: Recognizing and Addressing Causes 36:12 Sleep, Circadian Rhythms & Medication Effects 39:11 Downregulation & Chronic Pain 42:48 Diet, Prebiotics, and Probiotics Education 44:59 Insulin Resistance, Stress, and Microbiome 47:04 Social Stressors, Intergenerational Trauma & Gut Health 49:56 The Additive Effects of Emotional Stress 51:05 Supporting Empowerment and Well-being 53:02 Addressing Trauma, Core Beliefs & Executive Function 55:04 Scaffolding, Environmental, and Sensory Causes 57:01 Spiritual, Lifestyle, and Nature Connections 58:08 Physical Activity, Green Space, and Microbiome 59:28 Conclusion: Gut Microbiome as Essential Target for Treatment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 31
1 hr 2 min
1119 - Improve Mental Health & Brain Fog by Improving Sleep
00:00 Welcome & Overview of Sleep and Mental Health 03:02 Functions of Sleep & Sleep Stages Explained 05:20 Consequences of Poor Sleep & Effects of Medications 09:00 Sleep and Emotional Regulation 11:06 Sleep, Stress Response & Brain Function 13:13 Mental Health Disorders and Sleep Disruption 15:06 ADHD, Sleep Issues, and Brain Patterns 19:29 Sleep Loss, Executive Function, and Behavior Changes in Children 23:20 Sleep Deprivation, Mood, and Ruminations 26:51 CBT for Insomnia and Managing Sleep-Related Thoughts 31:00 Addiction, Relapse, and Sleep Disruption 36:17 Sleep, Brain Aging, Pain, and the Gut Microbiome 45:23 Sleep Interventions: Rapid Improvements in Mental Health 46:34 How Much Sleep Is Enough for Different Ages? 50:15 Practical Sleep Hygiene: The NEUTRALS Mnemonic 55:05 CBT-I Techniques for Insomnia 57:44 Additional Factors: Hormones, Diet, and Substances 01:00:01 Sleep Quality and Overall Well-being 01:00:44 Q&A and Closing Remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 24
1 hr 3 min
1118 - Tinnitus Hyperacusis and Misophonia: What Counselors Need to Know
00:00 Introduction & Overview 00:39 Defining Tinnitus, Hyperacusis, and Misophonia 01:57 Commonality and Impact on Daily Life 03:03 Understanding Hyperacusis and Misophonia 05:13 Symptoms and Triggers of Misophonia 06:13 Prevalence and Clinical Populations 07:07 The Role of Stress and Sensory Gating 08:05 Stress Management and Empowerment 09:04 Hyperacusis: Sensitivity and Co-occurrence 10:00 Misophonia's Daily Impact and Triggers 11:19 Screening and Mental Health Connections 12:02 Association with Emotional Distress 13:05 Sleep Disruption and Tinnitus 14:02 Environmental Challenges and Sleep Solutions 15:14 Chronic Stress, Sympathetic Dominance, and Barriers 17:04 Cognitive and Emotional Impact 18:16 Co-occurrence and Functional Impairment 19:12 Physical Symptoms and Inflammation 20:04 Somatic Issues and Gut Distress 20:39 Diabetes and Increased Risk 21:28 Hearing Loss, Stress, and Motivation 22:01 Causes: Noise Exposure & Neurological Factors 23:04 Central Processing & Emotional Contributions 24:06 Misophonia: Mechanisms and Comorbidity 26:00 Hyperacusis: Sensitivity and Trauma Links 28:02 Psychological Factors and Fear of Sound 28:32 Overlap, Awareness, and Living with Symptoms 29:34 Attention, Salience, and Sound Focus 31:04 Avoidance and Behavioral Implications 32:00 Sympathetic Nervous System and Downregulation 33:43 Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, and Tinnitus Cycle 33:59 Metabolic Conditions and Persistent Tinnitus 35:19 Migraines, Headaches, and Sound Triggers 36:01 Self-Esteem and Coping Ability 36:56 Flare Tracking and Cognitive Interventions 38:14 Social Strains and Daily Distress 39:34 Fatigue, Communication, and Support 41:08 Awareness, Distress, and Social Limitation 42:26 Isolation, Depression, and Anxiety 43:07 Anxiety, Anticipation, and Coping Tools 44:35 Anxiety, Job Concerns, and Daily Function 45:52 Immediate Reactions and Anger in Misophonia 47:10 Depression, Fatigue, and Grief 48:16 Mental Fatigue and Cognitive Slowing 48:59 Cognitive Fatigue and Task Management 49:44 Attention Difficulties in Tinnitus 50:30 Shifting Attention and Reducing Intrusiveness 51:47 Negative Thoughts and Cognitive Restructuring 52:26 Environmental Limitations and Noise Management 54:04 Tools for Comprehension and Accessibility 54:23 Environmental Restrictions and CBT Approaches 56:11 Therapeutic Interventions and Education 57:12 Accurate Information and Coping 57:52 Sound Enrichment and Exposure Balance 58:21 Apps and Resources for Tinnitus Management Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 17
1 hr
1117 - POTS and Autonomic Dysregulation: Clinical Practice Guideline
00:00 Welcome & Overview 00:29 What is POTS? 01:41 Invisible Symptoms & Misinterpretation 02:55 Impact of Stress on POTS 05:07 Why POTS Is Often Missed 08:01 Diagnosis Challenges & Mislabeling 10:15 How POTS Affects the Body 12:25 POTS vs. Anxiety & Malingering 15:08 Understanding Tachycardia & Compensation 18:46 Prevalence & Age of Onset 22:18 Common Mechanisms & Overlaps 26:01 Posture, Sitting, and Blood Flow 27:15 Cognition & Brain Fog Explained 29:40 Co-occurring Conditions 33:00 Physical Impacts of POTS 41:27 Interpersonal Impacts of POTS 46:36 Emotional and Cognitive Impacts 53:06 Evidence-Based Interventions 55:29 Diet, Lifestyle, & Environmental Support 56:36 Assertive Communication & Self-Worth 59:00 Cognitive & Environmental Strategies 01:00:43 Practical Accommodations & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 10
1 hr 3 min
1116 - Oxytocin’s Influence on Immune Function, Pain Modulation & Metabolism
00:00 Introduction to Oxytocin's Role 00:11 When Relationships Feel Unsafe 01:06 Oxytocin's Impact on Physiology 02:00 The 'Tend and Defend' Hormone 03:00 Oxytocin and Social Threats 04:03 Vagus Nerve and Social Engagement 04:44 Threat Perception and Context 06:00 Oxytocin and Pain Perception 06:36 Co-Regulation and Safety 07:42 Oxytocin in Trauma and Hypervigilance 08:48 Oxytocin and the HPA Axis 09:36 Cumulative Stress and Attachment Injuries 11:13 Stress, Sleep, and Immune Connection 11:48 Inflammation, Health, and Social Isolation 13:44 Oxytocin, Pain, and Interpersonal Stress 15:18 Hormones, Reproduction, and Oxytocin 16:35 Hormonal Cycles, PCOS, and Adolescents 18:00 Cycle Variations, Stress, and Aging 19:47 Oxytocin and Metabolism 21:01 Oxytocin, Eating, and Impulse Control 21:35 Learning, Memory, and Social Conditioning 24:14 Therapy and Rebuilding Safety 25:13 Mindful Awareness and Connection 26:31 Exploring Safety in Relationships 28:00 Building Safety Internally and with Others 30:01 Skills for Managing Relational Threats 32:05 Secure Attachment and Self-Relationship 34:03 CARE(S) for Secure Attachment 36:05 Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation 39:07 Nurturing Relationships and Self-Care 41:05 Touch, Self-Massage, and Animals 43:35 Music, Laughter, and Creative Connection 47:06 Nature, Kindness, and Altruism 51:01 Spiritual Connection and Group Singing 52:23 Sleep, Stress, and Oxytocin Signaling 53:47 Nutrition, Probiotics, and Gut Health 54:56 Final Thoughts: Individual Pathways to Safety Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 3
57 min
1115 - The Neurobiology of Insulin Resistance: Impact on Mood & Cognition
00:00 Introduction and Presenter Overview 00:14 Understanding Client Struggles and the Stress Response 01:48 Cumulative Stress and Insulin Resistance Overview 03:10 Mental Health Symptoms Linked to Blood Sugar 04:06 Strategies for Reducing Stress to Improve Symptoms 05:04 Why Focus on Insulin Resistance in Mental Health? 06:10 Diabetes Types and Prevalence 08:40 Addiction and Impact on Pancreatic Functioning 10:51 How Insulin Resistance Develops 11:57 Cellular Metaphor for Insulin Resistance 13:27 Type 2 and Type 1 Diabetes Explained 15:00 Type 3 Diabetes and Causes 16:47 Medical and Lifestyle Causes of Pancreatitis and Diabetes 18:18 Medical Conditions and Supplement Impact 20:35 Symptoms of Insulin Resistance 21:05 Circadian Rhythm, Sleep, and Blood Sugar Instability 22:19 Chronic Pain, Neuropathic Pain, and Neurotransmitters 24:00 Hormonal Imbalance and Thyroid Impact 25:39 The Role of Overtraining and Medications 26:08 Pro-inflammatory State and Medication Effects 27:50 Medication Side Effects on Insulin Resistance 29:05 Symptoms: Fatigue and Stimulant Use 30:11 Shakiness, Panic Feelings, and Blood Sugar Swings 31:01 Cognitive Symptoms: Confusion, Brain Fog, and Attention Deficit 32:46 Eating Changes and Cravings 33:52 Hypervigilance and Emotional Dysregulation 35:02 Depression, Apathy, and Motivation 35:47 Interventions: Circadian Rhythm and Routine 39:35 Reducing Stress Before Bed and Sleep Hygiene 41:33 Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Antioxidants 43:04 Improving Veagal Tone to Reduce Stress 44:14 NEAT, Light Movement, and Intermittent Fasting 47:00 Reducing Interpersonal Stress and Building Boundaries 50:13 Assertive Communication and Reducing Mind Reading 54:07 Building Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy 55:51 Improving Life Satisfaction and Hardiness 58:28 Cognitive Distortions and Emotional Intelligence 01:00:00 Managing Environmental Stress and Sensory Input Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 26
1 hr 1 min
1114 - Clinicians Guide to the Biology of Chronic Stress
00:00 Welcome & Introduction to HPA Axis 03:00 How the HPA Axis Regulates Stress Response 07:00 Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic Systems Explained 12:00 Chronic Stress and System Imbalances 17:00 Hypervigilance, Tolerance, and Resistance 21:00 How Chronic Stress Alters the Brain 28:00 Physiological Triggers and Vicious Cycles 34:00 Key Hormones & Neurotransmitters in Stress 40:00 Mood, Sleep, and Cognitive Impacts 46:00 Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Symptoms 50:00 Common Stress Sources & Risk Factors 52:00 Treatment Priorities & Week-by-Week Plan 58:00 Movement, Lifestyle Habits, and Recap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 19
1 hr
1113 - 5 Intimacy Types That Deepen Connection and Strengthen Relationships
00:00 Introduction & Overview 00:19 Defining Intimacy & Boundaries 01:08 Erikson’s Stages & Early Trust 02:58 Autonomy, Initiative, Identity 04:52 Developing Intimacy Through the Lifespan 05:02 Types of Boundaries in Relationships 07:03 Letting People In: Vulnerability & Trust 10:03 Intimacy & Boundaries: Navigating Them 12:02 Over-sharing & Boundary Challenges 13:35 Pacing Intimacy: Safety & Gradual Trust 17:02 Types of Intimacy & Access Levels 21:06 How We Learn Boundaries 22:09 Attachment, History, & Communication 25:01 Personality Styles & Boundary Issues 26:21 Fear, Trauma, & Intimacy Challenges 28:00 Self-Intimacy and Self-Awareness 31:07 Functional Benefits of Boundaries 32:04 Safety & the Nervous System 33:43 Oxytocin, Healing & Support 35:01 Boundaries & Healthy Intimacy 36:12 Sense of Belonging & Social Support 39:01 Self-Awareness & The Johari Window 41:02 Emotional, Cognitive, and Environmental Gains 42:02 Building Security: The CRAVES Approach 43:00 Responsiveness, Attention, and Validation 45:02 Permission, Disclosure & Supportive Environments 47:49 Supporting Partners Overcoming Trauma 52:00 Working Through the Past Safely 54:01 Setting Limits & Maintaining Integrity 55:02 Overcoming Trust Issues & Encouragement 56:37 Modern Culture, Safety & Cancel Culture 57:00 Building Intimacy Step by Step 57:59 Healthy Boundaries = Healthy Intimacy 58:18 Self-Intimacy & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 12
1 hr
1112 - Revealing the Nutrition–Mood Connection in Seniors
00:00 Intro & Overview: Nutrition in Older Adults 04:00 Body Changes & Nutritional Needs with Age 09:00 Senses, Appetite & Eating Behavior 13:00 Barriers to Adequate Nutrition 17:00 Role of Inflammation & Cognition 22:00 Common Nutrient Deficiencies 27:00 Vitamin & Mineral Functions & Sources 34:00 Absorption, Digestion & Chronic Conditions 39:00 Constipation, Hydration & Bowel Health 46:00 Mobility, Access & Toileting Support 51:00 Stress, Circadian Rhythms & GI Health 58:00 Hydration, Dehydration & Mental Wellness 01:06:00 Mood, Motivation & Lifestyle Suggestions 01:13:00 Addressing Eating Issues & Appetite 01:18:00 Collaborative Strategies & Takeaways Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 5
1 hr 25 min
1111 - Hormones & Mental Health: What Every Counselor Should Know (CEU)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 29
1 hr 5 min
Load more