00:00 Introduction to Toxic Relationship Behaviors 00:35 Defining Toxic Behaviors and the HEARTS Acronym 01:01 Impact of Toxic Behaviors on Health 02:34 Interpersonal and Emotional Consequences 04:34 Client Presentations and Learned Behaviors 06:22 Recurrent Patterns and Types of Toxic Behaviors 08:26 Understanding the HEARTS Framework 09:32 Assessing Relationships with Self and Others 11:13 Analyzing Behavior: Function and Reinforcement 14:25 Origins of Toxic Behaviors 16:15 Underlying Themes: Mistrust and Fear 18:53 Cognitive Distortions and Skill Deficits 19:59 Using HEARTS for Self-Assessment 22:57 Unhelpful Behaviors in Relationships 25:51 Lack of Encouragement and Its Effects 28:38 Inattentiveness in Relationships 30:13 Disrespect and Boundary Violations 32:41 Untruthfulness and Deception 34:32 Unsafe Behaviors and Conditional Regard 36:20 Heartless Behaviors: Control and Boundaries 39:48 Interventions for Control Issues 41:33 Jealousy and Competitive Threat 43:48 Addressing Jealousy: Interventions 45:54 Deception: Origins and Functions 47:45 Interventions for Deception 50:13 Self-Centeredness and Its Roots 51:28 Building Empathy and Reciprocity 53:49 Maladaptive Communication Patterns 56:36 Improving Communication Skills 57:32 Blame, Victimhood, and Superiority 59:41 Interventions for Blame and Superiority 01:00:59 Summary and Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness 00:57 What is Mindlessness 05:42 Origins of Mindlessness 10:35 Defining Mindfulness 13:52 Blocks to Awareness 17:55 Blocks to Responding 20:10 Developing Skills and Plans 22:15 Clarifying Mindfulness vs Meditation 24:09 Downregulation Skills ABCDS 25:24 Identifying the Rich and Meaningful Life 27:27 Benefits of Mindfulness 29:02 Learning Mindfulness Skills 30:45 Practicing Mindful Awareness Incrementally 31:16 Addressing Vulnerabilities in Each Life Area 32:54 Applying Skills and Reflecting 34:23 Core Mindfulness: Wise Mind 36:24 Mindfulness Reduces Inefficiency 38:55 Self and Other Awareness 40:31 Reducing Energy Waste 41:12 Balancing and Renewing Resources 42:42 Retrospective Mindfulness 43:24 Defining the End Goal 45:12 Purposeful Action 46:00 Wise Mind Skill: IDEA 48:15 Wise Mind Skill: NOD 49:41 Observe, Describe, Participate 52:36 Activity: Analyze a Scene 53:12 Five-Minute Focus 54:00 Sensory Grounding Activity 54:45 Three-Minute Thought Review 55:34 Vulnerability Observation Activity 57:02 Colors of Emotion 58:34 Relapse and Recovery Observation 59:31 Mindfulness for Balance and Relief 01:00:20 Q&A and Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, provides a comprehensive guide to developing assertiveness skills, defined as the ability to clearly and respectfully state one's feelings, wants, and needs (0:34). Key Takeaways: Defining Assertiveness: It is characterized by honesty, ownership of one's needs, and mutual respect, sitting in the "sweet spot" between submissive passivity and destructive aggression (0:42, 6:42). Barriers to Assertiveness: Stress/Anxiety: The brain's natural "fight-or-flight" response can make it feel dangerous to be direct (10:51). Social Expectations: Changing your communication style may surprise or frustrate those who are accustomed to your previous behavior (14:51, 16:41). Cognitive Barriers: Past experiences or distortions like "overgeneralization" can lead people to believe that being assertive is unsafe or futile (17:21, 25:51). Core Characteristics: Assertive communication relies on appropriate eye contact, open posture, a well-modulated voice, and proper timing (28:20, 31:32). Practical Techniques: Reality Checks: Evaluate your current perceptions against objective facts (24:05). I-Statements: Use the formula: "When you do [behavior], I feel [feeling], because [effect]" to communicate needs without accusation (46:54). Constructive Feedback: Provide objective, actionable information rather than personal attacks (48:13). Win-Win Requests: State your needs and show how meeting them benefits both parties (50:28). Fogging: A method for handling criticism by acknowledging the truth in it while remaining the final judge of your actions (59:07). The presentation encourages learners to start small, perhaps practicing with safe individuals or even pets, to build confidence before applying these skills in higher-stakes environments (9:14, 55:27). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00 Introduction & Topics Covered 01:00 What Are Boundaries? 02:30 How Childhood Shapes Boundaries 04:30 Learning and Modeling Boundaries 06:30 Weak, Rigid, and Mixed Boundaries 08:30 Understanding Safe vs. Healthy Boundaries 10:00 Five Types of Boundaries 12:00 Physical and Interpersonal Boundaries 14:00 Emotional, Cognitive, and Environmental Boundaries 17:00 Setting Boundaries Based on Relationships 18:30 Benefits of Healthy Boundaries 21:00 The Four Laws of Boundaries 26:00 Choosing Who to Let In 31:00 Respecting Others’ Boundaries 37:00 Communicating and Maintaining Boundaries 41:00 Understanding Boundary Violators 44:30 Categories of People and Boundaries 47:30 Maintaining Safety Through Boundaries 49:00 Evaluating and Adjusting Boundaries 52:00 Boundary Workout Practice 55:00 Building Your Boundary Bill of Rights 56:00 Summary and Developing Trust Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00 Welcome & Overview of Self-Esteem/Efficacy 01:06 Why Self-Esteem and Efficacy Matter 02:39 Attachment, Self-Worth, and Social Connection 03:43 Understanding Self-Efficacy and Its Origins 05:00 Building Strengths and Addressing Obstacles 06:06 Secure Attachment & the CARES Framework 07:04 Consistency, Attention, and Responsiveness 09:07 Encouragement, Safety, and Self-Belief 10:53 Group Activity: Stations for Secure Attachment 13:12 Processing Group Activities and Lived Experience 15:45 Overcoming Feelings of Unworthiness and Powerlessness 17:32 Separating Self from Accomplishments and Past Mistakes 19:01 Exploring Core Beliefs and Self-Talk 21:03 Challenging Stereotypes and Being Mindful 22:49 Descriptor Card Activity & Mindless vs Mindful Living 25:30 Examining Autopilot Behaviors and Mainstream Messages 28:00 Teaching Mindfulness and Present Focus 29:53 Activities for Mindful Awareness and Resource Identification 34:04 Addressing Fear, Anger, and Downregulation Skills 35:51 Downregulation Toolbox & Safety Practices 41:07 Challenging Unhelpful Thoughts and Cognitive Distortions 44:44 Gamifying Self-Esteem: Activities & Ads 47:02 Effective Goal Setting in Recovery 50:09 Personal Goal Practice and Group Support 52:00 Morning and Evening Reflections for Self-Concept 54:00 Recognizing Strengths & Playing Jenga for Traits 55:04 Dialectics, Failure, and the Elephant in the Room 57:07 Addressing Hecklers and Emotional Baggage 59:00 Cultivating Your Garden: Plant Lessons for Growth 01:00:04 Lifelong Self-Esteem, Efficacy & Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00 Introduction and Importance of Rapport 03:05 Challenges in Building Rapport 06:04 Rapport and Client Vulnerability 10:00 Creating Safety and Promoting Authenticity 13:44 The SHARE Pneumonic for Rapport 16:20 Mutually Agreeable Goals in Therapy 19:12 Avoiding Common Rapport-Breaking Mistakes 24:32 Voluntary vs Involuntary Clients 26:08 Transparency and Documentation with Clients 28:23 Helping Clients Feel Safe and Heard 32:29 Challenges with Safety and Cultural Sensitivity 36:36 Environmental and First Contact Considerations 42:00 Behaviors for Building Client Safety (ACE Approach) 45:01 Active Listening and Communication Skills 49:06 Questioning Strategies and Non-Verbals 52:49 Understanding Projection and Transference 56:01 Displacement, Supervision, and Losing Rapport 59:47 Maintaining Rapport and Recognizing Signs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00 Welcome & Overview of Relationship Skills 03:04 Awareness of Self and Others 10:06 Authenticity and Honesty 15:59 Acceptance of Differing Opinions 18:36 Attention and Love Languages 21:44 Understanding and Setting Boundaries 25:40 Consistency and Building Trust 27:48 Defensiveness and Communication Challenges 29:42 Communication Styles & Assertiveness 32:32 Cultivating Compassion 35:25 Healthy Compromise in Relationships 38:34 Encouragement and Honest Feedback 41:03 Forgiveness and Letting Go 43:37 Intimacy and Varying Levels of Connection 47:04 Responsibility & The Blame Game 49:09 Healthy Responsiveness 52:16 Unconditional Positive Regard 54:57 Bringing It All Together & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00 Welcome & Overview of Childhood Trauma 04:44 Definitions: Trauma, Attachment, & Adverse Experiences 11:05 What Are ACEs? Basic Concepts & Brain Development 17:19 Prevalence, Impact, and Categories of ACEs 24:09 How ACEs Affect Child Safety and Needs 33:33 Consequences for Family Dynamics & Emotional Development 40:09 ACEs, Caregivers & Household Chaos 46:00 Long-Term Physical and Cognitive Health Effects 52:01 Key Brain Changes and Mental Disorders 58:01 Assessment & Wraparound Interventions 01:01:22 Principles of Treatment and Empowerment 01:02:00 Summary: ACEs, Impact, and Recovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

00:00 Introduction & Overview 00:42 Aging and Drug Responses 02:02 Body Composition and Medication Effects 06:01 Kidney & Liver Clearance in Aging 07:45 Drug Competition & Enzyme Decline 09:49 Nutrient Deficiencies & Drug Absorption 12:12 Medication Interactions in Older Adults 13:11 Health Disorders Impacting Drug Clearance 15:41 Frailty, Cognitive Impairment & Medication Challenges 18:14 Vision, Brain Changes & Medication Safety 21:02 Inflammation, Diet & White Matter 25:00 Addictive Behaviors & Aging Vulnerability 28:09 White Matter Loss & Chronic Stress 30:46 Gambling, Impulsivity, and Clinical Notes 33:11 Is It Addiction or Aging? Diagnostic Challenges 36:08 DSM-5 Limitations and Underrecognized Issues 40:06 Differential Diagnosis & Overlapping Symptoms 43:00 Testing, False Results & Medication Effects 47:24 Substance Use and Aging: Family Awareness & Risks 52:13 Clinical Practice Guidelines & Polypharmacy 53:20 Treatment Challenges in Older Adults 54:37 Key Takeaways & Counselor Role Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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