What is Geek therapy and is it just “geeking out” in session? We answer these questions and more in this episode of This Hour has 50 Minutes with guest, Elizabeth Sanchez Arvizu. We discuss what geek therapy is (and isn’t), how she came to be interested in geek therapy, and how it can make therapy a safe space for individuals who may have been marginalized, excluded, or struggled with fitting in because of their interests, gifts, or who they are. So whether you’re into DnD, LARPing, Marvel or Disney films, find out how these and other interests can be explored to improve mental health. Elizabeth Sánchez Arvizu is a first generation Mexican-American with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. She’s currently finishing her PhD while creating safe spaces on social media for everyone. She created her website PsychologyForGeeks and her social media presence, superpwrtoolkit, to reduce stigma placed on mental health and the geek community. She shares resources and tips on how we can all geek out AND take care of our health. HighlightsWhat is Geek TherapyHow did Elizabeth become interested in Geek TherapyWhat social media has meant to herThe benefits of Geek therapy, particularly for those who have been marginalized or excludedResourcesElizabeth's Geek Therapy Resourceshttps://www.psychologyforgeeks.com/resourcesConnectElizabeth Sánchez ArvizuWebsite https://www.psychologyforgeeks.com/ Instagram @superpwrtoolkitTwitter @superpwrtoolkitTiktok superpwrtoolkitTumblr: https://superpwrtoolkit.tumblr.com/Dr. Tamara SolesInstagram  @drtamarasolesTwitter @drtamarasolesFacebook http://facebook.com/[email protected] the ShowIf you're enjoying the show, help us spread the word so others can enjoy it as well1. Leave a review on itunes/apple podcast 2. Share an episode on Social media. Be sure to tag me on it so I can see @drtamarasoles on facebook, twitter and instagram

Struggle with staying on top of writing therapy notes? You’re not alone. Many clinicians struggle with documentation. Dr. Maelisa Hall joins me to discuss why clinicians struggle with writing progress notes (and it’s not just time management!). She shares some of her best tips for writing efficient and clinically meaningful therapy notes including one I’ve implemented immediately after our chat. She also gives examples of how to document difficult clinical situations such as when a crime has occurred or when abuse has taken place. Dr. Maelisa Hall is a licensed psychologist, nail design enthusiast, and serial entrepreneur. Maelisa helps therapists connect meaning to the typically mundane task of clinical paperwork through her business QA Prep. She enjoys creating trainings that are interactive and engaging so that clinicians leave with strategies they feel ready to use immediately. A true ENFP, Maelisa aims to make sure all of her endeavors are meeting a need in the community while also allowing for plenty of laughter and fun.HighlightsHow Maelisa became the "Documentation Diva". Maelisa's "QUOTE" system for understanding the barriers to completing  progress notesMaelisa's favorite tips for staying on top of therapy notes and documentationHow to handle those old notes that you just can't seem to remember in detailHow to write notes for complex clinical situationsResourcesFree Private Practice Paperwork Crash Course with Dr. Maelisa Hall ConnectDr. Maelisa HallWebsite:   https://www.qaprep.com/Dr. Tamara SolesInstagram  @drtamarasolesTwitter @drtamarasolesFacebook http://facebook.com/[email protected] the ShowIf you're enjoying the show, help us spread the word so others can enjoy it as well1. Leave a review on itunes/apple podcast 2. Share an episode on Social media. Be sure to tag me on it so I can see @drtamarasoles on facebook, twitter and instagram

Dr. Nick Wignall and I talk about meaningful ways to experience less stress over the holidays including how to set boundaries AND uphold them. Nick shares why people have difficulties holding boundaries and shares strategies for long-term success that will carry us through the year and beyond.Dr. Nick Wignall is a clinical psychologist who previously worked as a therapist in private practice helping adults with anxiety and insomnia. Dr. Wignall is now focused on on writing and teaching about emotional health on a broader scale, through his blog, his podcast, his courses, as well as consulting for organizations interested in wellbeing and personal growth. HighlightsWhy people struggle with prioritizing their well-being over the holidaysWhat is the real reason people have trouble setting boundaries and upholding themHow to set better boundariesLong-term strategies for managing holiday stressWays therapists can help their clients improve stress managementHow to handle breaks in therapy over the holidaysResourcesPodcast: Book:  Let it Be Easy by Susie MooreConnectDr. Nick WignallTwitter:  @ndwignallWebsite:   https://nickwignall.com/Dr. Tamara SolesInstagram  @drtamarasolesTwitter @drtamarasolesFacebook http://facebook.com/[email protected] the ShowIf you're enjoying the show, help us spread the word so others can enjoy it as well1. Leave a review on itunes/apple podcast 2. Share an episode on Social media. Be sure to tag me on it so I can see @drtamarasoles on facebook, twitter and instagram

A brief update about what's to come and highlights from previous episodes.Highlights from:Ep. 22- Allyson Dinneen- Notes from your TherapistEp. 14- Dr. Joel Schwartz- Neurodiversity and Social JusticeEp. 16- Dr. Cameron Caswell- Understanding TeensEp. 26- Gabrielle Ferrara- Therapists in TherapyEp. 5- Dr. David Paul- Treating PTSDEp. 10- Dr. Regine Galanti- Anxiety in TeensEp. 22- Allyson Dinneen- Notes from your TherapistEp. 9- Dr. Catherine Mogil- Building ResilienceEp. 29- Allison Puryear- Abundant PracticesEp 7-  Allison Haynes- NeurodiversityEp. 1- Dr. Elizabeth Foley- Therapy in the Time of PandemicEp. 28- Dr. Kim Perkins- CompetitionEp. 12- Tiffany McLain- Earning What Your WorthEp. 25- Dr. Miriam Kirmayer- Friendships in AdulthoodEp. 6- Kadesha Adelakun- Race, Ethnicity, and Culture in TherapyEp. 27- Drs. Melissa Thiessen and Karen Dyck- Self-Care

Dr. Mitch Abblett joins me to discuss his new book Prizeworthy: How to Meaningfully Connect, Build Character, and Unlock the Potential of Every Child.  We talk about the difference between praising and prizing, how to see behind the problem and bring mindfulness and compassionate curiosity to parenting and really "see" our children.  Dr. Mitch Abblett is a clinical psychologist, author, consultant and national / international speaker.  The author of numerous books, his latest is for parents, educators and helping professionals - Prizeworthy: How to Meaningfully Connect, Cultivate Character and Unlock the Potential of Every Child.  Dr. Abblett's work has appeared in numerous online and print media such as The New York Times, Newsweek, Tricycle Magazine, and USA Today and he hosts a podcast, The Prize of Possibility in which he interviews thought leaders and influencers around themes of how we all might more authentically, compassionately and courageously connect with the true "prizes" in one another.Highlights The connection between the therapist/client and parent/child relationshipsPraising vs Prizing How Mindfulness and Parenting IntersectWhat does Prizing look likeHow to see “behind the problem”Combining intention with curiosity to drop in and see our childrenResourcesPodcast: Prize of Possibility Book: Prizeworthy: How to Meaningfully Connect, Cultivate Character and Unlock the Potential of Every ChildConnectDr. Mitch AbblettTwitter:  @drmitchabblett   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitch.abblett.56Instagram: @dr_mitchabblett   LinkedIn: @drmitchabbettWebsite:   www.drmitchabblett.com Dr. Tamara Soles Instagram  @drtamarasoles Twitter @drtamarasoles Facebook http://facebook.com/drtamarasoles [email protected] drtamarasoles.com Support the Show If you're enjoying the show, help us spread the word so others can enjoy it as well 1. Leave a review on itunes/apple podcast  2. Share an episode on Social media. Be sure to tag me on it so I can see @drtamarasoles on facebook, twitter and instagram

Dr. Anya Griffin joins me to talk about helping children change their thoughts, experiences and behaviours related to chronic pain, ultimately reducing pain and leading to a more functional life. Anya shares the gold standard of care along with other important supportive therapeutic interventions. Dr. Anya Griffin is a pediatric psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Pain, and Perioperative Medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine. She is the Director of the Stanford Children’s Health Pediatric Rehabilitation Program (PReP), an intensive pain rehabilitation program for pediatric chronic pain with an interdisciplinary treatment team. She has trained and worked in the field of pediatric psychology primarily with children and adolescents diagnosed with chronic pain, Sickle Cell Disease, and cancer. Her research focuses on pediatric chronic pain, mind-body interventions, oncology and more. She was awarded a grant in 2015 from the Stanford Medicine and Muse for her project “Capturing Pain: Photographic storytelling of youth with chronic pain.” She is also a board-certified Dance/Movement Therapist and completed her graduate training at UCLA. HighlightsAcute pain vs Chronic PainChronic Pain as an overprotective parentHow family members may perpetuate the pain Using CBT for chronic pediatric painAdditional supportive therapies for pain managementThe Nocebo effectHow dance and creative movement impact painEmpowering children using PhotoVoice to express the experience of painVirtual Reality in Pain ManagementResourcesCapturing Pain: Photographic Storytelling of Youth with Chronic PainUsing PhotovoiceTame the Beast- It's time to Rethink Chronic PainConnectDr. Anya GriffinLinkedinStanford [email protected] Dr. Tamara SolesInstagram  @drtamarasolesTwitter @drtamarasolesFacebook http://facebook.com/[email protected] the ShowIf you're enjoying the show, help us spread the word so others can enjoy it as well1. Leave a review on itunes/apple podcast 2. Share an episode on Social media. Be sure to tag me on it so I can see @drtamarasoles on facebook, twitter and instagram

Dr. Regine Galanti is with me to talk about anxiety in children. We talk about what this return to school may look like for children and how to support them. If you’re looking for some strategies to try today you can go to drtamarasoles.com/anxiety for a free handout with 10 strategies to reduce reentry anxiety. Regine and I also talk about the ways that children and parents inadvertently cause anxiety to grow and some specific things you can do right away that can reduce a child’s anxiety. In the lessons from the couch, I also talk about the mistakes we may be making as clinicians that reinforce the anxiety.ResourcesFree Handout with 10 Strategies to Reduce Re-entry AnxietyDr. Galanti's New Book: When Harley Has AnxietyDr. Galanti's 1st Book: Anxiety Relief for Teens: Essential CBT Skills and Mindfulness Practices to Overcome Anxiety and StressFree anxiety tools: Anxiety Canada WebsiteConnectDr. Regine Galantiwebsite: Long Island Behavioral Psychology clinicInstagram: @regine.galanti Dr. Regine Galanti twitter @reginegalantiDr. Regine Galanti tiktok @dr.galanti Dr. Tamara SolesInstagram  @drtamarasolesTwitter @drtamarasolesFacebook http://facebook.com/[email protected] Support the ShowIf you're enjoying the show, help us spread the word so others can enjoy it as well1. Leave a review on itunes/apple podcast 2. Share an episode on Social media. Be sure to tag me on it so I can see @drtamarasoles on facebook, twitter and instagram

Dr. Jodi Peary joins me to discuss Supporting Families Through Divorce. As a psychologist and former family lawyer, Dr. Jodi shares her thoughts on how to navigate the complexities of divorce, ways to lessen the impact on families and help people become enlightened co-parents. Dr. Jodi opens up about what her own relationships taught her about marriage and divorce. Dr. Jodi Peary is a psychologist and former family lawyer who helps individuals and families emerge from divorce happy and whole and helps them to co-parent in a way that promotes the well-being of all family members.HighlightsHow to handle high conflict co-parenting sessionsAnswering the Question “are we messing up our children”How to share news of a separation/divorce with childrenHow Dr. Jodi’s own experiences shaped her understanding of divorceThe impact of the extended family on the divorceUsing rituals to help children navigate divorceDr. Jodi’s programs Breakup to Brilliance and Empowered Co-ParentingResourceswebsite: https://www.drjodipeary.com/Course: From Breakup to BrillianceCourse: Enlightened CoParentingConnectDr. Jodi Pearywebsite: https://www.drjodipeary.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drjodipearyPinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/DrPeary/_created/ Dr. Tamara SolesInstagram  @drtamarasolesTwitter @drtamarasolesFacebook http://facebook.com/[email protected] the ShowIf you're enjoying the show, please make a one-time contribution at buymeacoffee.com/thishour or become a monthly Mental Health ChampionHelp us spread the word so others can enjoy it as well1. Leave a review on itunes/apple podcast 2. Share an episode on Social media. Be sure to tag me on it so I can see @drtamarasoles on facebook  twitter and instagram

Dr. Julia King joins me to talk yoga and psychotherapy. Find out how yoga changed her career path and how she went from a thriving forensic psychology career to starting a clinical practice. Julia shares how ancient yogic texts connected with modern psychotherapy practices and how she incorporates yoga into her therapy work. We also talk about what to do when people say that deep breathing isn’t working for them and the specific CBT approach that Julia uses with people suffering from IBS. If you’ve used yoga philosophies in therapy, I want to hear from you! HighlightsHow Julia went from a thriving career in forensic psychology to a yoga teacher and therapistThe connection between yoga philosophies and therapyHaving the courage to follow curiosityWhy deep breathing doesn't work for some people The importance of intentionIBS and anxiety ResourcesIBS and Anxiety. https://www.roottoflourish.com/irritable-bowel-syndromeConnectDr Julia Kinghttps://www.roottoflourish.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/roottoflourish/ Dr. Tamara SolesInstagram  @drtamarasolesTwitter @drtamarasolesFacebook http://facebook.com/[email protected] the ShowIf you're enjoying the show, please make a one-time contribution at buymeacoffee.com/thishour or become a monthly Mental Health ChampionHelp us spread the word so others can enjoy it as well1. Leave a review on itunes/apple podcast 2. Share an episode on Social media. Be sure to tag me on it so I can see @drtamarasoles on facebook  twitter and instagram

Risa Williams, LMFT joins me to talk about anxiety. Risa shares tools from her new book, The Ultimate Anxiety Toolkit which has 25 tools that help you worry less, relax more, and boost your self-esteem. Listen to hear Risa's tips for monitoring your stress levels, reducing overwhelm, and effectively using affirmations through microthoughts. Risa Williams is a Los Angeles therapist and coach who specializes in anxiety reduction tools and time management techniques. She’s the book author of “The Ultimate Anxiety Toolkit: 25 Tools to Worry Less, Relax More and Boost Your Self Esteem” (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2021), a university professor and a wellness magazine writer.HighlightsAnxiety that comes from noveltyPost- Covid Re-entry advicePositive AffirmationsMaking your brain believe your affirmationsMicrothoughtsThe Stress Ruler The Energy MeterResourcesThe Ultimate Anxiety ToolkitConnectRisa Williams, LMFThttps://www.risawilliams.com/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/risawilliamstherapy/ Dr. Tamara SolesInstagram  @drtamarasolesTwitter @drtamarasolesFacebook http://facebook.com/[email protected] the ShowIf you're enjoying the show, please make a one-time contribution at buymeacoffee.com/thishour or become a monthly Mental Health ChampionHelp us spread the word so others can enjoy it as well1. Leave a review on itunes/apple podcast 2. Share an episode on Social media. Be sure to tag me on it so I can see @drtamarasoles on facebook  twitter and instagram