Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

By: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

Language: en

Categories: Health, Fitness, Mental, Education, Self Improvement, Science, Social

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.

Episodes

Exciting Treatments for PTSD_ New Ways to Heal your Trauma
Jan 09, 2026

00:00 Introduction & Overview of Emerging PTSD Treatments

00:31 EMDR: Gold Standard Trauma Processing

01:53 Who Benefits Most from EMDR

02:31 Cognitive Behavioral Therapies & CPT

03:23 CPT Techniques: Reframing Trauma

04:43 Benefits of CPT for PTSD Symptoms

05:17 Prolonged Exposure Therapy & VR Integration

06:16 Processing Memories with Wise Mind

07:27 Desensitization & Reducing Avoidance

09:05 Handling Triggers & Building Empowerment

10:38 Medications: SSRIs & Prazosin

11:57 Evaluating Medication vs Holistic Approaches

13:00 Psychedelics for PTSD: MDMA, Psilocybin, LSD

14:43 Mechanisms & Evidence for Psychedelic Therapy

17:01 Psilocybin: Neurogenesis and Mindfulness

<...

Duration: 00:59:00
Natural Ways To Beat Anxiety Without Taking Pills_ Holistic Healing
Jan 02, 2026

00:00 Introduction & Goals

01:00 Understanding Anxiety: Symptoms and Roots

03:30 Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn & Flop: The Stress Response

07:00 How Anxiety Affects Mind and Body

10:00 Chronic Anxiety & Stress Physiology

13:00 Traditional Treatments & Their Limits

16:00 Emerging Treatments: TMS, Ketamine, Esketamine

20:00 Vagus Nerve, Gut-Brain Axis & Inflammation

23:00 Microbiome, Peptides & Mood Regulation

27:00 Key Gut Peptides & Anxiety

31:00 Natural Ways to Boost Gut Health & Peptide Activity

36:00 Diet, Supplements, and Probiotics

41:00 Intermittent Fasting for Gut, Mood & Anxiety

48:00 Sleep: The Overlooked Intervention

51:00 Building a...

Duration: 01:00:30
Revolutionary New Treatment Strategies for Depression
Dec 23, 2025

00:00 Welcome & Overview of Depression Treatments

00:16 Emerging Interventions Explored

00:45 Deep Dive: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

04:01 Effectiveness and Applications of TMS

06:02 Understanding Treatment-Resistant Depression

07:49 Neuroimaging Insights & TMS for Older Adults

11:05 Advances in TMS Targeting and Integration

14:43 Anti-Inflammatory Approaches in Depression

20:41 Inflammation’s Role in Mood Regulation

25:14 Managing Depression: Exercise, Diet, and Lifestyle

27:37 The Power of Diet & Probiotics

32:02 Reducing Stress and Repairing the Nervous System

34:12 Gut Health and Mental Health Connection

40:48 Microbiome, Leaky Gut, and Mood

...

Duration: 01:10:33
The Impact of Trauma on Each PIECE of Life
Dec 19, 2025

0:00 Physical Impact 19:00 Interpersonal Impact 38:00 Emotional Impact 57:00 Cognitive Impact 1:16:00 Environmental Impact 1:35:00 Spiritual Impact

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Duration: 01:57:24
Addressing Drug and Alcohol Related Brain Damage - Counselor Training
Dec 12, 2025

00:00 Introduction: Drug-Induced Brain Damage

01:19 Physical, Emotional, and Cognitive Impacts

03:09 Alcohol’s Effect on the Brain and Body

04:19 Key Brain Regions Affected by Substances

07:22 Understanding Substance-Induced Brain Disorders

08:15 How Different Drugs Cause Brain Atrophy

08:56 Alcohol: Neurotoxicity and Deficiencies

10:59 Stimulants, Opioids, and Inhalants: Brain Impacts

14:23 Cannabis and Other Substances: Neurocognitive Effects

15:46 Substance Use, Symptoms, and Treatment Challenges

16:51 Hallucinogens and Long-term Perceptual Disturbances

20:01 Delirium and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

23:04 Thiamine Deficiency: Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

27:48 Diagnosing and Managing Alcohol-Related Br...

Duration: 01:03:22
How Are Nursing Homes Failing Addiction Patients in 2025?
Dec 05, 2025

00:00 Introduction & Overview

00:16 Defining Post-Acute and Long-Term Care

01:06 Levels and Types of Care Facilities

02:08 Addiction in the General Population

02:58 Hospitalization and Addiction Statistics

04:54 Prevalence of Substance Use Disorders in Care

05:48 Screening for Co-Occurring Issues

07:08 Medication Management Risks

09:02 Self-Administration & Diversion Concerns

12:00 Alcohol Access and Facility Policies

15:00 Unconventional Substance Use Risks

17:01 Vulnerabilities in Care Settings

18:29 Sleep, Circadian Rhythms & Recovery

20:57 Pain and Physical Vulnerabilities

23:06 History of Addiction and Detox Issues

25:09 Interpersonal & Emotional Vulnerabilities<...

Duration: 00:57:52
Managing Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussions
Nov 26, 2025

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Duration: 01:16:00
Essential Skills for Diabetes-Related Disability Adjustment Counseling
Nov 22, 2025

Essential Skills for Diabetes-Related Disability Adjustment Counseling for social workers, disability management and rehabilitation counselors from a diabetes EXPERT. In this video, a diabetes disability adjustment expert shares their top counseling skills for managing disabilities. Perfect for counselors, social workers, and anyone in the field of disability management!

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Duration: 01:13:24
10 Tools to Understand and Address Agitation, Delirium and Sundowning
Nov 10, 2025

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Duration: 01:02:16
15 Simple Strategies to Improve Dementia Care Today
Oct 27, 2025

•Review the scope of practice

for clinicians

•Identify who is involved

•Review the most common

cognitive staging tools and their

purpose

•Discuss evidence based

interventions for

• Physical symptoms like pain and

sympathetic dominance

• Interpersonal symptoms

• Emotional symptoms

• Cognitive symptoms

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Duration: 01:02:00
A Revealing Look at the Different Types of Alzheimer's and Dementias
Oct 12, 2025

00:00 Welcome & Overview of Dementia

01:20 Defining Dementia & Cognitive Decline

04:30 Symptoms and Impacts on Daily Life

08:40 Executive Function & Memory Impairments

12:00 Alzheimer’s Disease: Causes & Progression

19:00 Alzheimer’s Symptoms: Early to Late Stages

24:10 Vascular Dementia: Causes & Risk Factors

30:00 Stroke and FAST Screening

34:40 Stepwise Decline in Vascular Dementia

36:50 More Dementia Types: Lewy Body & Frontotemporal

43:10 Lewy Body Dementia: Symptoms & Fluctuations

49:40 Frontotemporal & Parkinson’s Dementia

52:00 Consequences of Dementia on Health & Function

57:00 Common Causes of Misdiagnosis

01:00:00 Differentiating Dementia from N...

Duration: 01:13:55
32 Ways to Reduce Your Dementia Risk
Sep 26, 2025

00:00:00 - Introduction: Overview of the 32 risk factors contributing to dementia. 00:00:35 - Early Life Education: Importance of education and cognitive reserve in childhood. 00:03:40 - Midlife Hypertension: Impact of hypertension on brain health and dementia. 00:06:10 - Hypoxia: Role of oxygen deprivation in cognitive decline. 00:08:05 - Sleep Apnea and Breathing Issues: Discussion on apnea, snoring, and their link to dementia risk. 00:11:35 - Obesity and Inflammation: Effects of excess fat tissue on brain inflammation. 00:14:10 - Diabetes and Blood Sugar Management: Stress and sugar levels as contributors to cognitive decline. 00:18:45 - Hearing Loss: The connection between untreated hearing loss and dementia. 00:22:20 - Vision Loss...

Duration: 01:03:16
Developing Rapport with Older Adults Made EASY!
Sep 19, 2025

00:00 Introduction & Overview

00:15 Defining Rapport & Its Importance

01:00 Impact of Lacking Rapport

01:50 Meeting Clients Where They Are

02:44 Consistency & Attachment Behaviors

03:42 Building Trust Through Consistency

04:46 Learning About Client Culture

05:32 Validating and Accepting Older Adults

06:18 Gaining Insight Into Client's Background

07:16 Nonverbal Cues & Acceptance

08:06 Generational Differences and Life Experiences

08:46 Emotional Responsiveness & Validation

09:48 Encouragement & Supporting Independence

11:00 Facing Fears & Stepping Out of Comfort Zones

11:46 Environmental Stability & Safety

12:48 Communication: Consistency, Acceptance, Responsiveness

14:07 Overcoming Communication Barriers<...

Duration: 01:07:06
5 Ways AI is Revolutionizing Mental Health Counseling RIGHT NOW
Sep 12, 2025

00:00 Introducing the Doc Snipes AI Clone

00:48 How the Clone Supports Therapy and Clinicians

02:06 Demo: Using the Coach Clone for Mindfulness

03:01 Morning Mindfulness & Relapse Prevention

04:43 Coping with Ambiguity and Overwhelm

06:38 Family Struggles and Setting Boundaries

10:05 Exploring New Holiday Strategies

11:18 How to View Conversations & Citations

12:07 Sharing Conversations and Progress Tracking

12:47 Benefits of the Doc Snipes Clone

13:53 Demo: The Expert Clone vs. Coach Clone

14:37 Expert Clone in Action: Monday Mindfulness Check-In

15:19 Managing Stress, Tasks, and New Job Anxiety<...

Duration: 00:34:04
The Surprising Truth About Hearing Loss Nobody Tells You
Sep 05, 2025

00:00 Welcome & Why Hearing Loss Matters

01:02 Understanding Acquired Hearing Loss

03:12 Prevalence and Demographics

05:02 Causes: Noise, Age, and More

08:08 Hormones & Hearing Loss

09:26 Ototoxic Medications & Infections

14:01 Trauma, Vascular, and Autoimmune Impact

17:15 Metabolic, Endocrine, and Lifestyle Factors

20:25 Nutritional and Chemical Exposures

22:44 Stress, Psychological Impact & Sympathetic Dominance

29:08 Cognitive Load & Behavioral Changes

30:22 Physical Effects: Balance, Tinnitus & Hyperacusis

40:53 Interpersonal Impacts & Social Isolation

45:04 Mental Health & Family Dynamics

48:17 Cognitive and Emotional Consequences

51:09 Physical Interventions & Communication Strategies

54:04...

Duration: 01:06:48
Essential TRAUMA INFORMED Skills for Counseling Older Adults
Aug 22, 2025

#aging #aginggracefully #nursinghome #aginginplace 00:00:00 - Introduction and welcome by the host, Dr. Donell Snipes. 00:01:59 - Definition of trauma and exploration of how loss is traumatic. 00:03:30 - Identifying losses in different areas of life. 00:05:03 - Impacts of losing balance and mobility in aging adults. 00:07:24 - Discussion of anticipatory anxiety and grief related to aging. 00:09:33 - Effects of aging on independence and strategies for coping. 00:12:00 - Loss of hobbies and social connections due to physical limitations. 00:15:27 - Progression of chronic illnesses and managing their impact. 00:18:54 - Coping with loss of vision and hearing in later life. 00:21:15 - Addressing cognitive decline and...

Duration: 01:11:44
1074-Caregiver ALERT! Reduce STRESS and BURNOUT Now!
Aug 18, 2025

00:00 Introduction & Overview of Caregiving

04:30 Defining Caregivers and Cared For

07:00 Types and Roles of Family vs Hired Caregivers

09:30 Frequency, Intensity, and Changes in Care Needs

13:30 Time, Energy, and Case Management Challenges

17:00 Life Changes and Planning for Caregiving

22:00 Physical Impacts: Benefits & Drawbacks

27:00 Managing Physical Exhaustion and Health Risks

33:40 Interpersonal Relationships and Social Changes

39:00 Setting Boundaries and Maintaining Relationships

45:00 Emotional Impact: Stress, Guilt & Grief

51:00 Resentment, Anger & Communication Challenges

56:00 Cognitive Effects: Learning, Confusion & Mental Fatigue

01:00:00 Environmental and...

Duration: 01:11:58
Aging and Mental Health: The Connections You Need to Know
Aug 13, 2025

00:00 Introduction and overview of aging and mental health by Dr. Donal Snipes. 00:33 Physical changes starting at age 40, including hormonal shifts. 01:36 The grieving process of aging and its emotional effects. 02:06 Cognitive adaptations and resistance to change in older adults. 03:07 Control issues and psychological resistance to aging tools. 03:38 Frustration, irritability, and depressive episodes linked to physical and cognitive decline. 04:42 Grief due to loss of functionality and processing limitations. 06:50 Hormonal changes impacting cognitive health, including loss of neuroprotection. 08:24 Neurotransmitter decline with age, including serotonin and dopamine reductions. 13:41 Oxytocin’s role in bonding and mood, with strategies to increase levels. 18:54 Thyroid health in ol...

Duration: 01:06:18
Revolutionary Mind Body Strategies to address ADHD, Addiction & Trauma
Jul 27, 2025

00:00:00 Interventions for ADHD and Addiction

00:04:11 Challenges of ADHD Integration in a Neurotypical World

00:08:19 ADHD and Its Links to Stress and Autoimmune Disorders

00:12:29 Understanding ADHD and Sensory Overload

00:16:24 Managing Stress Through Better Sleep and Circadian Rhythms

00:20:08 The Impact of Blood Sugar Regulation on Mental Health

00:23:51 The Benefits of Antioxidants and Omega-3s

00:28:01 Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Emotional Regulation

00:31:59 Enhancing Self-Awareness and Impulse Control Through Vagus Nerve Stimulation

00:35:41 Strategies for Managing ADHD Impulsivity

00:39:15 Supporting Individuals with ADHD in Daily Life

<...

Duration: 01:04:10
Uncovering the Truth About Alcohol Pharmacology
Jul 14, 2025

00:00:00 Introduction to the Pharmacology of Alcohol

00:03:47 Alcohol Consumption and Its Impact on Health

00:07:28 Impact of Alcohol on Glutamate and Anxiety

00:11:11 Dangers of Combining Alcohol and Opioids

00:14:53 Impact of Alcohol on Blood Pressure and Hypertension

00:18:35 Impact of Alcohol on Drug Metabolism

00:22:15 Effects of Alcohol on Nutrient Absorption and Inflammation

00:25:45 Understanding Cognitive and Executive Functioning Impairments

00:29:12 Identifying Root Causes of Symptoms in Therapy

00:33:27 Effects of Thiamin Deficiency and Substance Abuse

00:37:31 Early Detection and Treatment of Corov Syndrome

00:40:52 Impact of...

Duration: 01:00:24
Can the PIECES Mind-Body Approach REALLY Improve Your Mental Health?
Jul 07, 2025

[00:00 - 03:45] Introduction to Transdiagnostic Assessment Discussion of how transdiagnostic assessment is gaining recognition. Comparison with older frameworks like motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care. [03:46 - 11:00] Antidepressant Statistics and Issues Insights into the effectiveness of antidepressants for anxiety and depression. Discussion of how antidepressants work and how effective they are based on various studies. [11:01 - 16:00] Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Its Effectiveness Dr. Snipes discusses the results and effectiveness of CBT in managing depression and anxiety. The conversation covers how combining CBT with medications can lead to mixed results. [16:01 - 23:00] Impact of Environment and Relationships on Mental Health How environmental factors...

Duration: 01:16:18
The Dark Truth About How Addiction & Mental Illness Cause ACEs in Kids
Jun 27, 2025

00:00:00 Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

00:03:29 Understanding Basic Human Needs

00:07:10 Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences on Development

00:10:53 Understanding Types of Child Abuse and Neglect

00:14:37 Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Caregivers

00:18:43 Addiction and Its Legal Implications

00:22:43 Impact of Separation Anxiety and Divorce on Children's Mental Health

00:26:30 The Impact of Inconsistent Care on Child Development

00:30:04 Impact of Control and Anxiety on Child Self-Esteem

00:34:02 Identifying Trauma: Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences

00:37:13 Understanding Trauma and Its Triggers

00:40:59 Understanding ACEs and...

Duration: 01:02:30
Disaster Mental Health: Trauma-Informed Tools for Better Response
Jun 20, 2025

Introduction to trauma-informed disaster mental health: 00:00 Understanding the impact of disasters: 00:33 Discussion on PTSD and CPTSD in trauma triage: 01:11 Emotional reactions and their intensity: 01:42 Retraumatization and its triggers: 02:18 The importance of proximity and safe zones: 03:29 The role of support in the first 12 hours: 05:54 Basic needs and Maslow’s hierarchy during a disaster: 06:59 Stress and the importance of circadian rhythm: 10:59 Loss of housing and its psychological effects: 12:43 Changes in routine and circadian rhythm disruption: 14:22 Hypervigilance and somatic stress responses: 16:09 Loss of connectivity and its impact: 16:47 The role of diet and the gut microbiome: 24:58 Emotional impact: anger, fear, and anxiety: 30:36 The co...

Duration: 01:16:21
Revealing the Impact of Trauma and Addiction on all the PIECES of Life
Jun 14, 2025

00:00:00 Understanding Addiction and Trauma

00:03:32 Traumatic Growth and Tornadoes: Finding Safety

00:07:07 Understanding Behavioral Addictions

00:10:45 Understanding Alcohol Consumption and Binge Drinking

00:14:36 Understanding the Addiction Rebound Effect

00:18:23 Understanding Substance Effects on Anxiety and Withdrawal

00:22:29 The Impact of Chronic THC Use on Serotonin Levels

00:26:24 Understanding Trauma's Impact on Mental Health

00:29:59 The Impact of Physical Trauma on Daily Life

00:33:49 Coping with Emotional Trauma from Chronic Illness

00:37:30 The Impact of Genetic Predispositions on Trauma

00:41:13 The Impact of Abandonment and Addiction on Trauma

<...

Duration: 01:00:26
Healing Trauma: A New Approach to Personality Disorders
Jun 05, 2025

Chapters: 00:00:00 - Differential Diagnosis of Personality Disorders from a Trauma-Informed Perspective 00:03:07 - Signs of Personality Disorder in Children 00:06:14 - Paranoid Personality Characteristics 00:09:05 - Childhood Trauma and Personality Disorders 00:12:10 - Flat Affect and Chronic Stress 00:15:07 - Schizoid personality and flattened affect in depression 00:18:05 - Autism Spectrum and Schizotypal Personality Disorders 00:21:04 - Avoidant Personality Disorder and Social Anxiety 00:24:03 - Fear of Abandonment and Intimacy 00:27:10 - Dependent Personality Disorder Characteristics 00:30:04 - Antisocial Personality Disorder Characteristics 00:33:06 - Understanding Self-Destructive Behaviors 00:36:17 - Understanding Abandonment and Borderline Personality 00:39:24 - Borderline Personality Characteristics 00:42:27 - Borderline Personality Characteristics 00:45:16 - Understanding Manic Episodes and Personality Disorders 00:48:07 - Obsessive...

Duration: 01:19:10
How Attachment Trauma Leads to CoDependency & Personality Disorders
May 29, 2025

00:00:00 - Trauma and Personality Disorders 00:05:12 - Caregivers and Inconsistency 00:10:31 - The Effects of Disregulated Stress Response System 00:15:59 - Anxious Attachment Styles 00:21:29 - The Impact of Chaos on the Family Unit 00:26:53 - Fear of Emotional Intimacy 00:32:12 - The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences 00:37:35 - Attachment and Trust Issues 00:42:51 - Insecure Attachment and Emotional Disregulation 00:48:07 - Personality Disorders and Their Behaviors 00:53:23 - Reflecting on Childhood Experiences 00:58:40 - Mitigating Distress and Empowerment 01:03:57 - Helping People Learn Healthy Boundaries and Attachment 01:09:17 - Evaluating Relationships and Behaviors 01:14:29 - Understanding People-Pleasing and Trust Issues 01:19:38 - The Inability to Feel Love and Apathy in HPA Axis...

Duration: 01:27:18
Uncovering the Power of Total Family Intervention | Recovery Month '24
May 22, 2025

Chapters: 00:00:00 - Overview of Total Family Intervention 00:02:18 - Empathy and Interventions for Mental Health Issues 00:04:44 - The Importance of Interventions for Mental Health 00:06:52 - The Importance of Interventionists with Adequate Training 00:09:09 - Effects of Addiction on Family Dynamics 00:11:27 - Involving the Whole Family in Interventions 00:13:44 - Impact of Addictive Behaviors on Family Members 00:16:00 - Impact on Loved Ones of Addiction and Mental Health Disorders 00:18:11 - Challenges of understanding bipolar disorder 00:20:21 - Total Family Intervention Steps 00:22:22 - The Initial Contact in an Intervention 00:24:28 - Educating about Interventions 00:26:33 - Developing Hope Through Intervention 00:28:47 - Motivating factors for interventions 00:33:07 - Involuntary Commitment...

Duration: 01:01:05
You did what? Avoiding Common Ethical Violations in Counseling
May 13, 2025

Chapters: 00:00:00 - Applying ethical principles to common violations 00:00:57 - The Four Pillars of Ethical Mental Health Services 00:01:51 - Ethical Decision-Making Process 00:02:45 - Ethical dilemmas in counseling: Sexual relationships with clients 00:03:35 - Dating Clients and Unchecked Feelings 00:04:45 - The Four Windows of Awareness 00:05:31 - Boundaries and Self-Care 00:06:30 - Breach of Confidentiality 00:07:22 - Maintaining Client Confidentiality in Conversations 00:08:31 - Confidentiality and Privacy Concerns 00:09:27 - Confidentiality Breach in Credit Card Transactions 00:10:21 - Providing Private Entrances and Exits for Clients 00:11:15 - Protecting Identifiable Information 00:12:10 - Redacting Personal Information 00:13:11 - Update to CFR 42 Part Two 00:14:00 - Changes to CFR 42 Part Two 00:14:46 - The Importance...

Duration: 00:21:56
Unveiling Counseling Ethics: Setting Boundaries & Avoiding Abandonment
May 08, 2025

Chapters: 00:00:00 - Boundary Extensions 00:03:01 - Attending Clients' Formal Ceremonies 00:06:00 - Navigating Dual Relationships in Therapy 00:09:17 - Providing Support in Difficult Situations 00:12:16 - Setting Healthy Boundaries with Clients 00:15:15 - Ensuring Continuity of Counseling Services 00:18:23 - Safety Issues with Home Visits 00:21:18 - Ensuring Continuity of Care 00:24:20 - Continuity of Services in the Event of an Interruption 00:27:28 - Accessing Electronic Medical Records Safely 00:30:26 - Protecting Client Confidentiality 00:33:33 - Disaster Preparedness for Electronic Health Records 00:36:39 - Confidentiality and Compliance 00:39:53 - Safeguarding Client Confidentiality 00:42:36 - Advocating for Client Privacy 00:45:22 - Ensuring Client Privacy and Empowerment 00:48:15 - Limiting access to client files and informed consent 00:51:23...

Duration: 01:02:12
Exposing Enabling Behaviors and 20 Tips for Providing Healthy Support
May 01, 2025

Chapters: 00:00:00 - Supporting the Person Without Enabling 00:03:29 - Enabling Behavior in Caregivers 00:06:58 - Coping with Chaos in Family Environments 00:10:35 - Enabling and Resistance 00:14:34 - Enabling Behavior and Attachment Trauma 00:18:14 - The Progression of Addiction and Enabling Behaviors 00:21:52 - The Role of the Enabler 00:25:27 - Enabling vs Helping 00:29:00 - Enabling Behavior and Cognitive Dissonance 00:32:26 - Enabling Behavior and Setting Boundaries 00:35:58 - Consequences of Enabling 00:39:25 - Characteristics of Codependency 00:42:53 - Providing Support and Setting Boundaries 00:46:07 - Fostering Hope in Recovery 00:49:35 - Self-talk and identifying important activities 00:53:02 - The Responsibility Dilemma 00:56:28 - Setting Boundaries and Expectations 00:59:44 - Encouraging and Supporting Recovery 01:03:04...

Duration: 01:14:32
How Stress Alters Hormones, Neurotransmitters & Mental Health
Apr 22, 2025

I. Introduction to Stress and Its Impact

Stress affects the body's hormonal and neurotransmitter systems. Chronic stress can lead to significant mental health challenges.​

II. Hormonal Responses to Stress

Cortisol: Known as the "stress hormone," it increases in response to stress. Elevated cortisol levels can impair memory and cognitive functions.


Adrenaline and Noradrenaline: These hormones prepare the body for "fight or flight" responses. Prolonged elevation can lead to anxiety and sleep disturbances.

III. Neurotransmitter Alterations


Serotonin: Chronic stress can decrease serotonin levels, contributing to depression.


...

Duration: 02:54:34
Overcoming the scars of ACEs and parental alienation
Mar 25, 2025

Parental Alienation Defined

Parental alienation is not abandonment or protecting a child from abuse; it is a form of psychological abuse. It involves a deliberate campaign of denigration, brainwashing, and manipulation of the child to reject the other parent.

Alienating Behaviors

Alienation occurs when one parent actively manipulates a child against the other parent, which can be unconscious or conscious. These behaviors involve brainwashing, manipulating, or lying to the child, often supported by family members or other influential figures in the child’s life.

The Impact on Children

Parental alienation disrupts children’s primary atta...

Duration: 00:44:17
Overcoming Defensiveness_ The Key to Active Listening
Mar 20, 2025

What is Defensiveness?

Defensiveness occurs when individuals feel emotionally or psychologically unsafe, leading them to put up barriers in communication. It can manifest as fight (verbal aggression) or flight (withdrawing and shutting down). Defensiveness often indicates past experiences of betrayal, disrespect, or invalidation that leave people on guard.

Causes of Defensiveness

Traumatic experiences or past emotional injuries. Triggers from discussing sensitive or difficult topics. Hypervigilance, where individuals expect others to hurt or criticize them, based on prior negative interactions.

How Defensiveness Shows Up in Communication

Aggressive responses like "Yes, but…", which aim to shut do...

Duration: 01:01:06
A Trauma Informed Approach to Creating Safety
Mar 18, 2025

Understanding Psychodynamics and Safety

The presentation begins with a focus on psychodynamics, particularly how early experiences of trauma impact one’s sense of safety. Trauma can manifest in emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms that disrupt everyday life, relationships, and well-being.

Effects of Trauma on Health

Trauma increases inflammation, disrupts sleep, and contributes to autoimmune disorders. Chronic feelings of unsafety can result in a constant state of hypervigilance, impacting both physical and emotional health.

Identifying Unsafe Feelings

Individuals can feel unsafe in various domains, including physical, interpersonal, and emotional. Feelings of vulnerability can arise from nu...

Duration: 01:09:52
ACEs Childhood Trauma's Lifelong Effects
Mar 13, 2025

Types of Trauma in Childhood

Childhood trauma can be intentional (abuse, neglect) or unintentional (caregivers unable to meet the child's needs due to issues like depression or addiction). Trauma affects children physically, emotionally, cognitively, and relationally, causing a sense of insecurity and powerlessness.

Physical and Emotional Trauma

Physical trauma includes abuse or neglect, while emotional trauma involves lack of emotional validation or support, which hinders a child's emotional development. Emotional neglect prevents children from learning to identify, regulate, and cope with their feelings.

Cognitive Trauma and Environmental Disruption

Cognitive trauma can result from gaslighting...

Duration: 00:26:50
20 Essential Mindfulness Tools in My Arsenal to Defeat Anxiety
Mar 11, 2025

Introduction to Anxiety Relief Strategies

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes presents 20 strategies to help alleviate anxiety, focusing on individualized approaches based on intake assessments. It's important to address anxiety before it reaches a crisis point, as early intervention can prevent escalation.

Understanding Anxiety Triggers

Anxiety triggers can stem from concerns like loss, rejection, failure, or lack of control. Dr. Snipes emphasizes the importance of identifying these triggers and grouping them to understand the core issues driving anxiety.

Vulnerabilities to Anxiety

Vulnerabilities are factors that make individuals more susceptible to anxiety, such as poor sleep, caffeine intake...

Duration: 00:43:46
Demystifying Trauma Responses 12 Signs of PTSD You May Not Know
Mar 06, 2025

Trauma vs. Traumatic Injury

Trauma is an event that causes a sense of helplessness and horror. Traumatic injury refers to the physical, emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal effects of trauma. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD or complex PTSD (CPTSD).

Symptoms Often Misdiagnosed

Conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and addiction are often misdiagnosed when they are actually symptoms of unresolved trauma. Understanding the root cause of these conditions helps tailor treatment to address trauma.

Trauma in Childhood vs. Adulthood

Childhood trauma, especially in chaotic or abusive households, can have lasting effects on attachment styles and...

Duration: 00:32:04
Revolutionizing Opioid and Trauma Treatment with Neurostimulation
Mar 04, 2025

Introduction to Neurostimulation in Recovery

Neurostimulation techniques, like vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), have been researched for their role in treating neurological diseases, including addiction and trauma-related disorders. Dr. Navid Kodaparash shares his insights into how neuroplasticity, triggered through VNS, helps the brain recover and adapt.

Autonomic Nervous System and Its Role

The autonomic nervous system consists of the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) systems, which work in tandem to regulate stress responses. Dysregulation of this system, especially in chronic stress or trauma, can lead to conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and addiction.

Vagus Nerve: The Wandering...

Duration: 00:58:32
Expert tips for setting and maintaining boundaries in relationships
Feb 27, 2025

Defining Boundaries

Boundaries are behaviors that communicate what we will and will not tolerate from others. Think of boundaries as a door to your safe space that you control—deciding whom to let in or out.

Types of Boundaries

Physical Boundaries: Cover personal space, touch, and eye contact preferences. Affective Boundaries: Reflect the ability to empathize without being consumed by others' emotions. Cognitive Boundaries: Allow individuals to maintain their own beliefs and perceptions. Environmental Boundaries: Relate to personal belongings, space, and time shared with others. Relationship Boundaries: Define who you choose to spend time with and ho...

Duration: 00:29:47
Addiction Counselor's Guide to the Neuroscience of Stimulants
Feb 25, 2025

Introduction to Stimulants

Stimulants affect the neurological system by altering neurotransmitter levels. Key neurotransmitters impacted include dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA, glutamate, and acetylcholine.

Dopamine’s Role in Addiction

Dopamine regulates movement, motivation, and mood. It plays a major role in the brain's reward pathways, which can reinforce addictive behaviors. Stimulants increase dopamine release, creating feelings of pleasure and reinforcing drug use.

Stimulant Effects on the Nervous System

Stimulants trigger the stress response, causing a release of norepinephrine, dopamine, and cortisol. This results in heightened focus, energy, and mood regulation, but also leads to issues su...

Duration: 01:00:40
Mastering Healthy Relationship Boundaries
Feb 20, 2025

Definition of Boundaries

Boundaries in relationships are like a house: you choose who enters and how far they can go. Just like a house has doors and windows, you decide who to let into your personal space (physically and emotionally).

Types of Boundaries

Physical Boundaries: Involves personal space, touch, and eye contact. Interpersonal Boundaries: Defines relationship expectations, such as time alone or together. Emotional & Cognitive Boundaries: You are entitled to your own feelings and thoughts, without needing validation from others. Environmental Boundaries: Pertains to personal belongings and who has access to them.

Trust and Boundaries<...

Duration: 00:07:16
Mastering Trauma-Informed Screening and Assessment _ Counselor CEUs
Feb 18, 2025

Importance of Trauma-Informed Screening

Screening must be trauma-informed, even if not directly screening for trauma. Trauma is at the core of many mental health, behavioral, and physical health problems, so it's crucial to recognize its role.

Trauma and Health Problems

Trauma, including Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), can contribute to a range of health issues, such as hypothyroidism, depression, and autoimmune disorders. Screening should address both the physical symptoms and the underlying trauma-related causes.

Screening and Prevention

Early trauma screening helps prevent additional related issues, such as PTSD, addiction, or chronic health conditions. Recognizing the...

Duration: 01:05:58
Healing the Wounded Inner Child _ Counseling CEUs
Feb 13, 2025

What is the Inner Child?

The inner child refers to the emotional and experiential part of an individual that holds childhood memories and trauma. Childhood trauma or unmet needs may result in emotional wounds that persist into adulthood, manifesting in behavior and relationship patterns.

Impact of Trauma on the Inner Child

Childhood trauma, such as neglect, abandonment, or emotional invalidation, can prevent children from fully processing distressing experiences. Without resolution, these unresolved traumas continue to affect emotional regulation, trust, and self-esteem in adulthood.

Behaviors Resulting from a Wounded Inner Child

Individuals may develop behaviors...

Duration: 01:00:48
Overcoming Adversity and Mastering Resilience
Feb 11, 2025

Resilience Definition

Resilience is the capacity to bounce back from adversity, demonstrated by emotional strength and the ability to handle crises without being overwhelmed. Resilience is like a ball that, when pushed underwater, bounces back to the surface.

Characteristics of Resilient People

Resilient individuals are self-aware, have healthy self-esteem, strong social support, and practice radical acceptance. They possess problem-solving skills, tolerance for distress, and maintain an optimistic outlook.

Importance of Self-Awareness

Resilient individuals are aware of their vulnerabilities and strengths, both emotional and physical. They know how to manage sources of distress, such as...

Duration: 00:53:33
Helping the Inner Child Process Grief
Feb 06, 2025

What is the Inner Child?

The inner child refers to the collection of memories and experiences from childhood. These memories shape mental shortcuts, called schema, which influence how individuals interpret and react to present-day life events.

Children’s Cognitive Development

Children process information concretely and personally, often believing events are their fault. The schema formed during childhood tend to be all-or-nothing and are carried into adulthood unless evaluated and adjusted.

Impact of Insecure Attachment

A lack of secure attachment in childhood can result in a "wounded" inner child. This wounded inner child often struggles wi...

Duration: 00:55:46
CBT Tools to Address Chronic Pain_ It is NOT all in your head!
Feb 04, 2025

Biopsychosocial Impact of Pain

Chronic pain affects not just the body but also mental health, including anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. Pain can disrupt circadian rhythms, causing sleep issues, and leads to grief due to loss of function or identity.

Types of Prevention

Primary prevention focuses on preventing pain flare-ups and pain conditions. Secondary prevention aims at stopping pain from worsening during a flare-up. Tertiary prevention works to prevent secondary issues like depression, addiction, or anxiety caused by chronic pain.

Evaluating Pain

Understand whether the pain is acute or chronic, its quality (e.g., stabbing...

Duration: 00:56:47
Reset Your Nervous System _ Understanding the Dopamine Connection
Jan 30, 2025

What is Dopamine?

Dopamine is often referred to as a motivation chemical rather than just a pleasure chemical. It regulates mood, movement, energy, sleep, libido, and pain tolerance. Dopamine plays a key role in cognitive functions like memory, attention, and decision-making.

The Concept of Dopamine Fasting

Dopamine fasting does not reduce dopamine levels but aims to reduce compulsive behaviors that overstimulate the dopaminergic system. This approach involves reducing stimulating behaviors intermittently (e.g., hours per day or days per week) to reset the brain’s reward system.

Dopamine's Role in Addiction and Stress

Excessive st...

Duration: 00:34:26
9 Powerful Tips for Rewiring an Anxious Brain_ Neuroplasticity Secrets
Jan 28, 2025

Understanding Anxiety and the Stress Response

Anxiety is a natural emotional reaction, often triggered by physical and cognitive stressors. It activates the body's HPA axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis), leading to physical reactions like increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and digestive issues.

Emotional Reasoning

Anxiety may arise from incorrect beliefs about danger, even when no real threat exists. Emotional reasoning leads people to act as though their anxious feelings are facts.

The Brain’s Bias Toward Threats

The brain often prioritizes memories of negative or threatening experiences to keep us safe, causing anxiety when facing similar si...

Duration: 00:46:44
Understanding Unique Needs of BDSM Practitioners_ A Counselors Guide
Jan 21, 2025

Understanding BDSM

BDSM involves consensual sexual practices including bondage, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism. The core principle is that all activities must be safe, sane, and consensual.

The Role of Counselors

Therapists must provide a non-judgmental space for clients practicing BDSM. Recognizing biases and understanding the nature of BDSM relationships is essential to competent care.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

BDSM is not inherently linked to psychopathology or trauma. It does not increase the likelihood of mental illness or indicate that the person was abused.

Relationship Dynamics in BDSM

BDSM relationships often involve clear...

Duration: 01:18:38
Sexual Diversity & Kink_ What Every Counselor Should Know
Jan 16, 2025

Overview of Kink and Sexual Diversity

Kink is a broad term that includes alternative sexual practices like BDSM, polyamory, and consensual non-monogamy. Kink behaviors often fall outside of mainstream practices, but they are a normal part of sexual diversity for many people.

DSM-5's View on Kink

Kink-related behaviors, including BDSM and fetishism, are no longer considered mental disorders unless they cause harm or involve non-consensual acts. It's essential to differentiate between consensual kink and problematic behaviors that cause distress or harm.

Mental Health Impacts

For many, kink activities provide empowerment, emotional expression, and...

Duration: 01:06:58
What to Do When You Love Your Therapist
Jan 14, 2025

Understanding Transference

Transference is when a client projects feelings onto their therapist, often reflecting unmet needs or emotional experiences from other relationships. It's common to develop strong feelings for a therapist, especially if they provide safety, validation, and emotional support.

Therapeutic Relationships as Safe Spaces

Therapists often provide one of the first healthy, secure relationships for clients, leading to feelings of attachment. The feeling of security and validation in therapy can be a source of comfort, which might cause clients to think about their therapist outside of sessions.

Recognizing Dependency

Continuously thinking about your...

Duration: 00:14:58
Discover How Dopamine Impacts Serotonin, Hormones and Happiness
Jan 09, 2025

Dopamine’s Role in the Body

Dopamine is essential for motivation, pleasure, and reward processing. It plays a role in digestion, immune response, and inflammation regulation. Dopamine is found in various parts of the body, including the brain, immune system, kidneys, and pancreas.

Dopamine and Other Neurotransmitters

Dopamine interacts with neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA, and others. An imbalance in dopamine can affect mood, sleep, attention, and motivation. Altering one neurotransmitter, such as dopamine, can impact others, causing a cascade effect.

Effects of Dopamine Imbalance

Excess dopamine can lead to psychosis, mania, ADHD-like symptoms, an...

Duration: 01:09:16
Gut Health and Mental Health: The Impact of the Second Brain
Jan 07, 2025

The Gut-Brain Connection

The gut and brain communicate bidirectionally through pathways such as the vagus nerve and endocrine signals. Changes in the gut microbiome can affect brain functions, triggering or worsening mood disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Stress and the Gut

Stress affects the gut directly via neuronal signals and indirectly by impacting the gut's bacterial composition. When the gut is out of balance, it can worsen stress responses, creating a cycle of dysregulation between the brain and gut.

Gut Microbiome and Mental Health Disorders

Studies show links between gut health and conditions...

Duration: 01:05:06
How to Avoid 5 Group Therapy Leadership Mistakes
Jan 02, 2025

Role of the Group Leader

The leader is responsible for guiding group dynamics. Must adjust leadership style to the group’s stage (forming, storming, norming). Leadership involves setting the group’s tone and level of engagement.

Leadership Style

Leaders can vary from hands-off to active facilitators. Psychoeducational groups might require more structured leadership than therapeutic processing groups. It’s essential to know when to intervene and allow group members to practice communication and boundary-setting skills.

Group Development Phases

Groups pass through stages (forming, storming, norming). Early stages often involve high anxiety; leaders need strategies to man...

Duration: 01:01:50
The Truth About Becoming An Addiction Counselor (Career Opportunities)
Dec 31, 2024

1. Overview of Addiction Counseling

Career Paths in Addiction Counseling: Discusses various settings, including outpatient, residential, and specialized care for different populations (adolescents, veterans, etc.). Challenges in Correctional Settings: Working in jails or prisons can be difficult due to the unsupportive environment for recovery.

2. Educational Requirements

Different Education Levels: You can begin addiction counseling with a high school diploma in many states. More advanced practice (e.g., private practice) may require a bachelor's or higher. Addiction-Specific Training: Required training hours can range from 75 to 360 clock hours, depending on the certification level.

3. Supervised Clinical Hours and Certifications <...

Duration: 00:31:20

The Hardest Part About Diagnoses (And How To Avoid Biases)
Dec 26, 2024

1. Introduction to Diagnoses and Framing Bias

Framing Bias: A cognitive bias affecting how information is perceived based on how it is presented. Importance of Broad Evaluations: Symptoms like fatigue could have various causes (e.g., hormonal imbalance, cardiovascular issues, substance withdrawal).

2. Common Mental Health Diagnoses

Mental Health Disorders: ADHD, anxiety, autism, depression, and schizophrenia are common diagnoses that require differential evaluation. Physical Causes of Symptoms: It’s essential not to overlook physiological factors like low testosterone, thyroid issues, or vitamin deficiencies that can mimic or exacerbate mental health symptoms.

3. The Role of Bias in Diagnosis Duration: 01:03:40

The Surprising Connection Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Intergenerational Trauma
Dec 24, 2024

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


1. Introduction to Intergenerational Trauma

Definition of Trauma: Trauma occurs when an individual experiences events that leave them feeling unsafe and powerless. Intergenerational Trauma: Trauma that is passed down through generations, impacting not only the person who experienced it but also their children and grandchildren.

2. Types of Trauma

Physical Trauma: Examples include injuries or illnesses that change life circumstances. Emotional Trauma: This can stem from unresolved emotional issues, leading to long-term feelings of helplessness. Environmental Trauma: Major life changes or disasters can cause lasting trauma. Spiritual Trauma: A loss of...

Duration: 01:53:42
How GABA And Glutamate Control Your Brain and Stress Response
Dec 19, 2024

1. Overview of GABA and Glutamate

GABA: The brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter, responsible for calming the central nervous system. Glutamate: The brain's primary excitatory neurotransmitter, promoting alertness and cognitive function. Both neurotransmitters are crucial for maintaining a balance between stimulation and relaxation.

2. Functions and Balance

Goldilocks Principle: Both GABA and glutamate must be in proper balance—too much or too little leads to problems. Stress Response: Under stress, glutamate is released, which triggers fight-or-flight responses. GABA is needed to calm the system down afterward. Alcohol and GABA: Alcohol temporarily increases GABA, providing a calming effect, but as it...

Duration: 01:03:08
Overcoming Addiction_ The Power of Family and Community
Dec 17, 2024

1. Introduction to Family and Community in Addiction Prevention

Family and Community Definition: Involves the family unit, neighborhood, schools, and social service organizations. Interconnectedness of Disorders: Medical, emotional, and behavioral disorders are linked, so prevention requires a holistic approach.

2. Early Prevention Strategies

Evidence-Based Programs: Early interventions and knowledge of substance abuse dangers are key. Trauma and Risk Factors: Many individuals at risk for addiction have faced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

3. Role of Maternal Health in Early Development

Maternal Stress and Nutrition: Poor prenatal care, including stress, depression, and substance use, affects child development. Developmental Disorders...

Duration: 01:04:09
How to FIND YOUR PURPOSE with Acceptance Therapy Techniques
Dec 12, 2024

1. Introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT Goals: Focus on finding meaning and accepting life’s challenges. Destructive Normality: Refers to how the human mind’s natural processes can lead to suffering. ACT’s Core Principles: These include mindfulness, cognitive defusion, and commitment to action.

2. Key Components of ACT

Acceptance: Learning to accept difficult emotions without trying to avoid or control them. Cognitive Defusion: Recognizing that thoughts are just thoughts and not necessarily facts. Present Moment Awareness: Being fully engaged in the present to make clear, value-based decisions.

3. ACT in Action

Living by Values...

Duration: 00:59:20
Explore the Link Between Sex-Hormones and Mental Health
Dec 10, 2024

1. Overview of Sex Hormones and Mental Health

Key Hormones: Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are crucial for mood regulation. Cortisol Impact: The stress hormone cortisol influences sex hormones and mental health. Hormone Balance: The “Goldilocks principle” applies, as both low and high levels of these hormones can affect mental well-being.

2. Estrogen's Role

Mood Regulation: Estrogen enhances serotonin and endorphin production, affecting mood. Estrogen in Men and Women: While often associated with women, estrogen also plays a role in male mental health. Impact on Anxiety and Depression: Low or fluctuating estrogen can increase the risk of mood disorders, espe...

Duration: 01:01:52
The Shocking Link Between Hydration and Mental Health
Dec 05, 2024

1. Importance of Hydration for Mental Health

Hydration Impact: Dehydration affects mood, cognitive abilities, and overall health. Under-recognized Factor: Hydration is often overlooked in mental health care, but it is crucial for body and brain function.

2. Physical and Mental Symptoms of Dehydration

Shared Symptoms: Fatigue, headaches, mood changes, and cognitive difficulties are common in both dehydration and mood disorders. Worsening Mental Health: Chronic dehydration can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress.

3. Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

Heat and Physical Activity: Excessive sweating due to heat or physical work requires more water intake. Caffeine and Alcohol...

Duration: 01:00:40
How to Support Someone with Psychosis_ 5 Tips
Dec 03, 2024

1. Understanding Psychotic Symptoms

Psychosis Definition: Includes hallucinations (seeing/hearing things not present) and delusions (firmly held false beliefs). Associated Disorders: Present in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and more.

2. Common Triggers and Causes of Psychotic Episodes

Stress: A major factor that can trigger or exacerbate symptoms. Medication Compliance: Non-adherence or imbalance can lead to breakthrough symptoms. Physical Conditions: Conditions like diabetes, sleep deprivation, and traumatic brain injuries may contribute to psychosis.

3. Strategies to Support Someone with Psychosis

Create a Safe Environment: Focus on safety and security rather than challenging their reality. Reduce Stress: Identify...

Duration: 01:02:12
The Relapse Trap_ H.A.L.T. Warning Signs Exposed
Nov 26, 2024

1. Introduction to H.A.L.T.

H.A.L.T.: Mnemonic for four major relapse triggers: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, and Tired. These states make individuals more susceptible to stress, which can lead to relapse in various aspects of life (addiction, mental health, etc.).

2. Hunger – Physical and Beyond

Physical Hunger: Basic need for food, water, pain relief. Broader Meaning: Desire for emotional, interpersonal, and cognitive fulfillment. Spiritual Aspect: Hunger for connection with others who share similar values and beliefs.

3. Anger and Anxiety – Fight or Flight Responses

Anger as a Response: Linked to a perceived threat and...

Duration: 01:01:28
Boosting Health Knowledge with Expert Coaching
Nov 21, 2024

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration: 01:02:20
Expert Advice for Navigating Family Changes
Nov 19, 2024

Introduction

Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses helping families navigate life transitions using the Flower Empower Model. The focus is on understanding how various transitions impact both individuals and families, emphasizing the importance of supportive partnerships between clinicians and families.

Defining Life Transitions

What Are Life Transitions?: Transitions can be both positive (e.g., getting married, having a baby) and negative (e.g., divorce, illness). Regardless, they can cause stress. Impact on Families: Each family member is affected differently during transitions, such as moving, illness, or marriage. These changes require both individual and collective adjustment.

The...

Duration: 00:58:34

Psychological Abuse & Trauma Bonds in Codependency _ Interview with Lindsay Villandry (Part 1)
Nov 14, 2024

Introduction

Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses psychological abuse, trauma, and the healing process. The focus is on different forms of abuse, relational trauma, and their long-lasting impacts on mental health and interpersonal relationships.

Types of Abuse

Forms of Abuse: Abuse can be emotional, physical, financial, or sexual. Emotional abuse and neglect are particularly harmful, often having more severe long-term effects than physical abuse. Impact of Words: Hurtful words from significant others or caregivers can have deep emotional consequences. Victims may start doubting their own self-worth, questioning their perceptions of love and safety.

Relational Trauma and...

Duration: 00:39:37

Overcoming Adversity_ Resilience Tips Unveiled
Nov 12, 2024

Introduction

Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes introduces the concepts of hardiness and resilience. Hardiness and resilience are essential for coping with stress and bouncing back from adversity. The goal is to explore ways to strengthen these traits through various psychological tools and practices.

Defining Resilience and Hardiness

Resilience: The capacity to bounce back from challenges, much like a beach ball rising to the surface when pushed underwater. Hardiness: A psychological toolkit that helps foster resilience, consisting of three components: Commitment, Control, and Challenge (the "Three Cs").

Characteristics of Resilient Individuals

Awareness of Vulnerabilities: Resilient people...

Duration: 01:05:04
Changing Expectations_ How Beliefs Impact Mental Health
Nov 07, 2024

Introduction

Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses the impact of schemas on anxiety and depression. The presentation explores how schemas (mental shortcuts or belief systems) are formed, how they affect the mind-body connection, and strategies to address unhelpful schemas.

Understanding Schema

Definition: Schemas are mental representations or beliefs about people, events, or places formed from past experiences. They help predict future situations based on these past experiences. Example: Driving to a stoplight – based on previous experience, you know a yellow light signals that it will soon turn red. Similarly, life experiences shape our expectations in relationships, work, an...

Duration: 01:02:22
Transform Your Mental Health with the PIECES Method
Nov 05, 2024

Introduction

Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes introduces the PIECES model for understanding mental health and life balance. The PIECES model examines six key dimensions of life: Physical, Interpersonal, Emotional, Cognitive, Environmental, and Spiritual. The aim is to look beyond singular or dual approaches to treatment by considering how these dimensions interact.

PIECES Model Overview

Physical Dimension: Health, energy, and pain management impact overall mood and cognitive function. Chronic conditions or poor health exacerbate mental health issues. Interpersonal Dimension: Relationships, attachment, and social support are key to emotional stability. Healthy attachment increases neurotransmitters like serotonin and oxytocin, contributing...

Duration: 01:02:22
Flex Your Mind_ Techniques for Psychological Strength
Oct 31, 2024

Introduction

Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes discusses psychological flexibility. Key focus: defining, applying, and identifying strategies for psychological flexibility.

What is Psychological Flexibility?

Acceptance of the present moment: Recognizing and accepting emotions and situations as they are. Purposeful Action: Making conscious choices that align with personal goals and values. Reciprocity of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors: Understanding how they influence each other.

Challenges in Implementing Psychological Flexibility

Impact of Trauma: Trauma can make it hard to feel safe and accept the present moment. Resistance to Change: Often due to fear, lack of energy, or a belief that...

Duration: 01:02:32
Using Your Strengths for PTSD Recovery
Oct 29, 2024

Introduction

Understanding PTSD and CPTSD

Definition of PTSD: PTSD is a reaction to exposure to a traumatic event that induces extreme horror or trauma. Commonly seen in military personnel, crime victims, and law enforcement. Definition of CPTSD: CPTSD results from repeated exposure to traumatic events where escape is difficult or impossible, causing a sense of helplessness. Often seen in situations like ongoing abuse, neglect, or professions with repeated trauma exposure (e.g., law enforcement).

Symptoms of PTSD and CPTSD

Re-Experiencing: Intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares, and intense distress when reminded of the trauma. These symptoms...

Duration: 01:00:31
Preventing Relapse in Addiction, Anxiety, and Depression
Oct 24, 2024

Introduction

Understanding Relapse

Definition of Relapse: Relapse is the return to a problematic behavior or symptom that was previously under control or in remission. It can occur in various contexts, including psychosis, mood disorders, addictions, and chronic pain. Multi-Dimensional Nature: Relapse can occur physically (e.g., fatigue, pain), interpersonally (e.g., unhealthy relationships), emotionally, cognitively, environmentally, and spiritually (e.g., loss of meaning).

Warning Signs and Vulnerabilities

Early Signs: Relapse begins long before the behavior or symptom reappears; early signs may include stress, sleep deficits, nutritional deficiencies, and HPA axis dysregulation. Vulnerabilities: Factors like...

Duration: 01:00:46
Conquering Abandonment Fears_ Expert Tips
Oct 22, 2024

Introduction

Understanding Abandonment and Connection

Human Need for Connection: Oxytocin drives our need for connection from infancy. Early dependency on caregivers forms the foundation for future relationship expectations. Development of Abandonment Fears: Schemas: Cognitive frameworks developed based on past experiences, influencing how we perceive and react to abandonment. Beliefs: Early interactions, especially inconsistent caregiving, shape beliefs about others' reliability and our own worth.

Impact of Insecure Attachment

Attachment in Childhood: Secure attachments provide a buffer against stress and help in developing healthy self-concepts. Insecure attachments result from neglect, inconsistent caregiving, or trauma, leading to...

Duration: 01:13:00
Secrets of Overcoming Complicated Grief _ Counselor Education
Oct 17, 2024

Introduction

Understanding Grief and Loss

Definitions Types of Losses

Complicated Grief and Prolonged Grief Disorder

Complicated Grief: Grief that does not follow a typical pattern and remains unresolved, leading to significant distress and impairment. The Inventory of Complicated Grief can be used six months after a loss to assess if grief is resolving as expected. Prolonged Grief Disorder: Newly added to the DSM-5-TR, applies specifically to grief following the death of a close person. Symptoms overlap with complicated grief but are strictly related to the death of a person.

Risk Factors for...

Duration: 01:03:04

Overcoming Emotional Challenges in Porn Addiction Recovery
Oct 15, 2024

Introduction

Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes. Topic: Emotional aspects of porn addiction recovery. Focus: Interaction of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors; identifying distress triggers; and tools for managing emotions.

Understanding Emotions in Recovery

Emotions as Natural Responses: Emotions are automatic reactions based on past experiences, similar to a smoke alarm indicating potential threats. Distressful emotions, if unmanaged, can slow recovery or lead to relapse. Cognitive Behavioral Triad: Interaction of Thoughts, Emotions, and Behaviors: Each influences the other, creating a cycle that can either help or hinder recovery. Feelings Aren't Facts: It’s important to challenge emotions by examining th...

Duration: 00:42:38
Understanding & Managing Narcissistic Traits in Yourself and Others
Oct 10, 2024

Introduction

Understanding Narcissism

Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Defined by enduring patterns in cognition, emotional responses, interpersonal functioning, and impulse control. Must be pervasive, stable, and present since adolescence, causing significant impairment in important life areas. Diagnosis requires at least five traits, including grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. Narcissistic Behaviors: Not indicative of the disorder but reflect certain attitudes and behaviors that exist on a continuum from healthy to unhealthy. Can manifest in specific settings or situations and are influenced by cultural norms and personal experiences.

Causes and Functions of Narcissistic Behaviors

Skill...

Duration: 01:00:52
Preventing Misdiagnosis in Counseling _ Holistic Health
Oct 08, 2024

Introduction

Differential Diagnosis Overview

Symptom Overlap: Many symptoms, like fatigue, can have multiple causes (e.g., hormonal imbalances, medication side effects, nutrient deficiencies). Comprehensive Approach: Importance of considering bio-psycho-social factors before diagnosing to avoid missing underlying physical causes. Talk Therapy Limitations: Emphasizes that some conditions (e.g., atrial fibrillation) cannot be resolved through therapy alone.

Framing Bias in Diagnosis

Definition: A cognitive bias where decision-making is influenced by how information is presented. Impact: Patients may describe symptoms differently to different professionals (e.g., physical symptoms to doctors, emotional symptoms to therapists), leading to potential...

Duration: 01:02:40
Practical Tools to Support Those with Psychosis _ Counselor Training
Oct 03, 2024

1. Introduction

2. Understanding Psychotic Symptoms

Symptoms Defined: Psychotic symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized behavior, and speech. Associated Disorders:

3. Causes of Psychotic Symptoms

Breakthrough Symptoms: These can occur even in individuals who are generally functional. Causes: Unmedicated State: By choice or due to forgetfulness. Medication Non-compliance: Due to side effects or difficulty maintaining a regimen. Stress: A major trigger for acute episodes. Medication Imbalances: Can be caused by dehydration, heat, dietary changes, weight fluctuations, and drug interactions (e.g., antibiotics, caffeine, nicotine). Other Factors: Conditions like hypoglycemia, severe sleep deprivation, and chronic stress can exacerbate symptoms. <...

Duration: 01:01:18
Motivating People for Change with Screening and Engagement
Oct 01, 2024

1. Introduction

Topic: Screening in Behavioral Health Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes Focus: Understanding the purpose, instrument selection, and information gathering in the screening process.

2. Definition and Purpose of Screening

Screening Defined: A process to review current situations, symptoms, and collateral information to assess the probability of a problem. Key Points: Screening is not a diagnosis. Can be performed by various professionals, including HR officers, pastors, nurses, doctors, and pharmacists. Purpose: Determine eligibility and appropriateness for services. Assess immediacy of need (e.g., detoxification for substance abuse).

3. Transparency and Informed Consent

Importance of Transparency: Clients must...

Duration: 01:04:44
Addiction Prevalence, Symptoms & Course | Addiction Counselor Academy
Sep 26, 2024

1. Introduction

Topic: Addiction Prevalence, Symptoms, and Course Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes Focus: Understanding addiction as a chronic disease affecting brain function and behavior.

2. Prevalence of Addiction

2012 Statistics: 6.5% of the population over age 12 reported heavy drinking. 9.2% reported illicit drug use. 2021 Statistics: 14.3% reported illicit drug use, possibly influenced by marijuana legalization. 5.8% reported heavy drinking, showing a slight decrease. Interpretation: The statistics provide insight but may be influenced by changing legal statuses of substances like marijuana.

3. Addiction as a Disease

Definition: Addiction is a chronic disease that impacts brain reward, motivation, and memory circuits. Diagnosis: The DSM-5...

Duration: 01:10:24
Unleashing the power of rapport_ Transform your therapy sessions
Sep 24, 2024

1. Introduction

2. Understanding Secure Attachment

Definition: Secure attachment involves feeling safe, being authentic, and vulnerable without fear of judgment or abandonment. Relevance: Attachment trauma often underlies addiction and mental health issues. Application: Creating a secure attachment in therapy allows clients to open up and be authentic.

3. Importance of Rapport

Definition: Rapport is the sense of safety, connection, and trustworthiness between clinician and client. Impact: Lack of rapport can skew assessment results and hinder effective treatment. Goal: Develop rapport from the first meeting by showing genuine interest and care for the client.

4. Key Components of...

Duration: 00:43:32
Stress Management 101 CBT Tools for Beginners and Group Therpy Activities
Sep 19, 2024

1. Introduction to Stress Management

Overview

2. Tool Identification and Implementation

TIP Mnemonic: T - Tool Identification: Identify tools that resonate with you and address the areas of your life that are most stressed. I - Implementation: Determine how you will implement the identified tools (e.g., journaling, talking with a friend). P - Practice: Practice using the tools, either in a group setting, with safe others, or through guided imagery.

3. Nicer Mnemonic for Self-Care

N - Nutrition: Importance of healthy eating for maintaining physical and mental health. I - Illness Prevention: Tips for preventing illness...

Duration: 00:47:42
Uncovering Pornography's Impact_ The Good and the Bad
Sep 17, 2024

1. Introduction to Pornography

2. Prevalence of Pornography Use

Statistics: High prevalence of pornography use among both men and women, with significant weekly usage. Noted increase in pornography use among older adults (ages 50-77). Impact of Stigma: Stigmatizing pornography use can lead to secrecy, shame, and potential mental health issues.

3. Reasons for Pornography Use

Common Motivations: Curiosity, sexual education, social enhancement, peer pressure, and sexual arousal. Pornography can also serve as a medium for exploring sexuality and managing mood. Sexual Enhancement: Some use pornography to generate new sexual fantasies or to manage sexual tension. It provides...

Duration: 00:47:06
Ethics, Self Care, Counseling Skills and Ongoing Supervision
Sep 12, 2024

Video Title: Ethics, Counseling Skills Development, Self-Care, and Ongoing Supervision

Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

1. Introduction to Ethical Imperatives

Overview: Discusses the importance of ethics in counseling, emphasizing the need for self-care, skill development, and supervision. Philosophical Ethical Practices: Review of the five ethical principles: Non-maleficence, Beneficence, Justice, Fidelity, and Autonomy. Emphasis on the importance of going beyond just "doing no harm" to actively contributing to the well-being of clients.

2. Counseling Skills Development

Importance of Skill Development: Stresses the need for continuous improvement of counseling skills. Discusses various methods such as attending workshops...

Duration: 01:04:27
Developing Respect to Save Your Marriage _ Pastoral Counseling
Sep 10, 2024

Video Title: Managing Depression: Tips and Strategies

Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

1. Introduction to Depression

Definition and Understanding of Depression: Depression as a mental health disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and other symptoms that affect daily functioning. Emphasis on the importance of understanding depression as a complex condition influenced by multiple factors, including biological, psychological, and social elements.

2. Symptoms and Diagnosis

Common Symptoms of Depression: Persistent sad or empty mood, feelings of hopelessness, irritability. Loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or weight, difficulty sleeping. Fatigue, feelings of worthlessness...

Duration: 00:55:42
Diagnosis of Personality Disorders A Trauma Informed Approach
Sep 05, 2024

Overview of Personality Disorders

Definition: Key Features: Inflexible and Pervasive Behavior: Present across various contexts. Early Onset: Behavior is stable and typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood. Exclusion Criteria: Must rule out other mental disorders, medical conditions, or substance use as primary causes.

Common Diagnostic Challenges

Overlap with Other Disorders: Trauma Considerations: .

Specific Personality Disorders and Trauma-Informed Perspectives

Paranoid Personality Disorder: Mnemonic: "SUSPECT" - Suspiciousness, unforgiving, perceives attacks, etc. Trauma Link: May develop from environments with distrust or betrayal. Schizoid Personality Disorder: Mnemonic: "DISTANT" - Detached, indifferent to praise/criticism, tasks done solitarily...

Duration: 01:00:30
How Endurance can Improve Your Marriage _ Pastoral Counseling Series
Sep 03, 2024

Here is a structured bullet-point summary of the video titled "Restoring Your Marriage with God: Developing Endurance" presented by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes:


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Introduction

Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes Topic: Developing endurance in marriage, guided by biblical principles. Key Idea: Marriage involves enduring both good and bad times, as reflected in traditional wedding vows.

Understanding Endurance

Definition: Endurance is the courage to face and overcome difficult situations, motivated by hope for improvement. Biblical Basis: Romans 5:3-4: Suffering leads to endurance, which builds character and hope. James 1:12: Endurance...

Duration: 00:39:52
Secrets of Effective Treatment Planning & Reassessment
Aug 29, 2024

### Treatment Planning

- **Importance**: Many clinicians and interns struggle with writing effective treatment plans.

- **Tools**:

 - **Integrative Summary**: Provides an executive summary of the patient's story, supports diagnosis, and identifies problems to drive treatment planning.

 - **Standardized Instruments**: Used for guiding treatment planning, such as FARS, CANS, ASAM, and LOCUS.

  

### Integrated Summary

- **Purpose**: Summarizes the patient’s condition, diagnosis, and impacts of identified problems.

- **Use**: Drives treatment planning by connecting symptoms to the diagnosis and planning interventions.

- **Key Co...

Duration: 00:48:06
Revealing the Influence of the Past on Relationship Skills
Aug 27, 2024

(Release was delayed, unreleased episode 980)


### Summary of the Video


**Introduction**

- Welcome to Part Three of Interpersonal Skills series.

- Focus on how past impacts present relationships, especially primary attachment relationships.

- Host: Dr. Donell Snipes.

- Objectives: Identify signs of relationship insecurities, explore past relationships' impact on present ones, and identify interventions for addressing relationship insecurities.


**Signs of Relationship Insecurities**

- Difficulty trusting partner.

- Regularly comparing oneself or partner to...

Duration: 01:01:36
Understanding Triggers and Cravings: Counselor Education Webinar
Aug 22, 2024

### Summary


#### Introduction

- Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

- Topic: Understanding triggers and cravings

- Goals: Define triggers and cravings, identify personal triggers, and discuss coping methods


#### Defining Triggers and Cravings

- **Triggers**: Anything prompting a rewarding or survival response.

 - Examples: Touch (hot stove), sounds (alarm clock), sights (child's smile), smells (fall air), places (dentist's office), people (reminding you of someone), situations (new job).

- **Cravings**: Repetitive, consuming thoughts or desires caused by triggers.

 - Ex...

Duration: 00:51:08
Improve Your Listening Skills: Breaking the Cycle of Defensiveness
Aug 20, 2024

### Summary


#### Introduction

- Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

- Topic: Listening without defensiveness

- Goals: Understanding causes of defensiveness, enhancing assertiveness, and reducing defensiveness


#### Understanding Defensiveness

- **Defensiveness**: Indicates a lack of safety; behavior or feeling when feeling unsafe.

- **Causes**:

 - Prior negative experiences (verbal/physical aggression, invalidation).

 - Low self-esteem leading to fear of rejection.

 - Triggering topics related to trauma or powerlessness.


#### Creating Safety

1. **Rec...

Duration: 00:56:32
Overcoming Toxic Guilt & Shame with CBT Techniques
Aug 15, 2024

### Summary


#### Introduction

- Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

- Topic: Toxic guilt and shame - signs, causes, and solutions

- Goals: Understanding guilt and shame, their causes, effects, and ways to overcome them


#### Definitions and Differences

- **Guilt**: Anger at oneself for a behavior; feeling you did something wrong.

- **Shame**: Feeling that you are inherently bad; about the person, not just behavior.

- Importance of separating behavior from self-worth.


#### Healthy vs. Toxic...

Duration: 00:40:10
Unlocking Recovery: Exploring Models and Theories of Addiction
Aug 13, 2024

#### Introduction

- Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

- Topic: Theories of addiction and co-occurring disorders

- Focus on understanding and addressing co-occurring disorders in addiction treatment


#### Co-Occurring Disorders

- Expectation rather than the exception in addiction treatment

- Importance of addressing co-occurring symptoms to prevent relapse

- Symptoms can include depression, anxiety, PTSD, and personality disorders


#### Theories of Addiction

1. **Moral Theory**

  - Addiction seen as a moral weakness

  - Treatment focused on will...

Duration: 00:41:26
Transforming Schema That Cause Anxiety & Depression with Counseling
Aug 08, 2024

**Summary: How Schema Affect Anxiety and Depression by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes**


[Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8SL2ZbWVFE)


**Outline Summary:**


1. **Introduction**

  - Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

  - Topic: How Schema Affect Anxiety and Depression

  - Objectives: Define schema, explain formation, discuss inaccuracies, and identify strategies to address unhelpful schema


2. **Understanding Schema**

  - Definition: Mental representations or beliefs about people or events

  - Examples: Traffic lights, do...

Duration: 00:48:56
Discover How Brain Chemicals Influence Addiction Recovery and PAWS
Aug 06, 2024

**Summary: Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes**


[Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEDayQBJXkA)


**Outline Summary:**


1. **Introduction**

  - Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

  - Topic: Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)

  - Objectives: Understand PAWS, its causes, and coping strategies


2. **What is PAWS?**

  - Definition: PAWS stands for Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome

  - Affects people who have engaged in addictive behaviors

  - Results from brain changes due to subst...

Duration: 00:53:04
Breaking Free From Quick Fixes : Healing Deep Wounds
Aug 01, 2024

**Summary: Breaking Free from Quick Fixes - Healing Deep Wounds for Good by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes**


[Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZR-UqWpVgE)


**Outline Summary:**


1. **Introduction**

  - Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

  - Topic: Breaking free from quick fixes and healing deep wounds

  - Objectives: Discuss quick fixes, their problems, the impact of deep wounds, and healing strategies.


2. **The Allure and Problem of Quick Fixes**

  - Quick fixes are often su...

Duration: 00:29:36
Finding Freedom: How to End a Relationship with Anxious Attachment
Jul 30, 2024

**Summary: Ending a Relationship When You’re Anxiously Attached by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes**


[Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VS53N-Evz4Q)


**Outline Summary:**


1. **Introduction**

  - Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

  - Topic: Ending a relationship when you’re anxiously attached

  - Definition of anxious attachment


2. **Characteristics of Anxious Attachment**

  - Need for relationships to feel safe

  - Fear of rejection and abandonment

  - Fight or Fawn response...

Duration: 00:37:08
Overcoming Goal Setting Blues: Why It Makes You Depressed and Anxious
Jul 25, 2024

**Summary: Why Does Goal Setting Make Me Depressed and Anxious by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes**


[Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtHugpidjf8)


**Outline Summary:**


1. **Introduction**

  - Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

  - Topic: Why does goal setting make me depressed and anxious?

  - Explanation of the emotional responses to goal setting.


2. **Understanding Goals and Emotional Responses**

  - Goals as statements about desired or needed changes.

  - Change causes crisis and...

Duration: 00:27:50
Confronting Grief and Insecure Attachment: Trauma Informed Counseling Tools
Jul 23, 2024

**Summary: Complicated Grief and Attachment by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes**


[Watch the video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0duJ33ymig)


**Outline Summary:**


1. **Introduction**

  - Presenter: Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

  - Topic: Complicated Grief and Attachment

  - Objectives: Define complicated grief, explore the overlap with trauma, identify risk factors, and explore tasks for successful grief resolution.


2. **Definitions**

  - **Loss**: Change that includes being without someone or something, focusing on primary attachment relationships.

  ...

Duration: 01:01:39