#56 Dr. Elaine Walker, Renowned Schizophrenia Expert, on Why Early Intervention is Critical to Effective Treatment

02/18/21 • 36 min

Dr. Elaine Walker is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Emory College’s Department of Psychology and her research focuses on the precursors and neurodevelopmental aspects of psychopathology of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are major mental illnesses that involve an abnormality in central nervous system functioning. Dr. Walker’s research program is concerned with shedding light on the nature and origins of this abnormality, its interaction with neuromaturational processes and the role of environmental stressors in triggering psychotic episodes. Her team is studying the prodromal period of adult-onset psychosis in order to identify manifestations of dysfunction and the predictors of conversion to clinical psychosis. The focus is on exploring the relations among clinical symptoms, neuromaturational processes, neuropsychological functions, and Central Nervous System development. She is leading the Mental Health and Development Research Program supported by the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Walker is the co-author of Abnormal Psychology (2001) and co-editor of Adolescent Psychopathology and the Developing Brain: Integrating Brain and Prevention Science (2007) as well as co-editor of Schizophrenia: A Life-Course Developmental Perspective (1991).

Schizophrenia is a serious illness that affects thinking, emotions, behavior and psychosocial functioning. Psychotic symptoms can include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and are prominent symptoms in Schizophrenia. Individuals suffering with Schizophrenia may seem internally preoccupied or may be observed responding to internal stimuli. The more psychotic aspects of Schizophrenia generally emerge between the late teens and mid-30s, although prodromal symptoms (slow and gradual development of signs and symptoms of the disorder) are usually apparent sooner and may manifest in social withdrawal, stranger habits, or a decline in academic performance. The severity of Schizophrenia can range from significant cognitive and emotional disability to somewhat milder social and occupational limitations. Individuals with milder forms of Schizophrenia may complete school, hold jobs, and start a family.

TherapyShow.com/Schizophrenia

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not a substitute for getting help from a mental health professional.

TherapyShow.com/Schizophrenia

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not a substitute for getting help from a mental health professional.

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#55 Dr. Frederic Reamer on Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in Social Work Practice

Dr. Frederic Reamer is a Professor in the School of Social Work at Rhode Island College for over 30 years. He received his PhD from the University of Chicago and has served as a social worker in correctional and mental health settings. Dr. Reamer chaired the national task force that wrote the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics adopted in 1996 and recently participated in drafting new Technology Standards added to the code in 2017. Dr. Reamer lectures both nationally and internationally on the subjects of professional ethics and professional malpractice and liability. He has conducted extensive research on professional ethics and has been involved in several national research projects sponsored by The Hastings Center, Carnegie Corporation, Haas Foundation, and Center for Bioethics of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Reamer is the author of many books, including: Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships in the Human Services; Risk Management in Social Work: Preventing Professional Malpractice, Liability, and Disciplinary Action; The Social Work Ethics Audit: A Risk Management Tool and On the Parole Board: Reflections on Crime, Punishment, Redemption, and Justice; Ethics and Risk Management in Online and Distance Social Work; and his latest, Moral Distress and Injury in Human Services, among others. Dr. Reamer’s journal article Ethical Standards for Social Workers' Use of Technology: Emerging Consensus is the most comprehensive discussion of recently adopted regulatory, ethics, and practice standards to date.

Dual Relationships and Boundary Crossings: Social workers often encounter circumstances that pose actual or potential boundary issues where they may face conflicts of interest in the form of dual relationships. Dual relationships occur when social workers engage with clients or colleagues in more than one relationship outside of their professional relationship such as participating in business, sexual, social or religious activities. Some dual relationships are unethical (for example, when social workers exploit clients), and some are not (unintended encounters outside therapy). Further, some dual relationships are avoidable, and some are not (for example, when social workers and clients live in small or rural communities).

TherapyShow.com/Ethics-Social-Work-Practice

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not a substitute for getting help from a mental health professional.

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#57 Dr. Steven Hayes Developed ACT to Help Individuals Balance Acceptance and Change Leading to Emotional Flexibility‬

Dr. Steven Hayes is Nevada Foundation Professor at the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada and the developer of a new approach to human thought called Relational Frame Theory. He has guided ACT’s extension to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) a popular evidence-based form of psychotherapy that is now practiced by tens of thousands of clinicians all around the world. Dr. Hayes was listed by the Institute of Scientific Information as the 30th “highest impact” psychologist in the world. Dr. Hayes is the author of many seminal books includin Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and my favorite Acceptance & Mindfulness Treatments for Children & Adolescents: A Practioner’s Guide. Whether you are a client or therapist, I encourage you to read his new book A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters.

ACT uses mindfulness and acceptance skills to help individuals respond to uncontrollable experiences with behavior that is more consistent with their personal values and goals. A therapy model where clients learn to accept their inner thoughts, emotions and sensations and begin to practice psychological flexibility which is demonstrated by more adaptive behaviors. ACT teaches individuals to deal with their emotional and mental struggles through a balance of acceptance of their problems and encouraging them to move toward more adaptive change. In contrast to most Western psychotherapy which is based on a medical model, ACT does not have symptom reduction as a primary goal. This is based on the belief that the attempt to get rid of symptoms can actually cause a clinical disorder. As soon as individual’s experience is labeled a symptom, they begin to fight against that symptom in order to eradicate it. In ACT therapy, a person would look to have a new relationship with their difficult thoughts and feelings, change their perspective on them as harmless, albeit uncomfortable, transient psychological experiences. It is through this process that clients utilizing an ACT modality actually achieves a reduction in their psychiatric symptoms.

Re-released from Therapy Show Episode 9

TherapyShow.com/ACT

Dr. Steven Hayes on Twitter: @StevenCHayes

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is not a substitute for getting help from a mental health professional.