Psychologists Off the Clock

Join Yael for Part 2 of a truly transformative two-part series with Dr. Hanson about his latest book, Neurodharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness. Continue to explore what’s happening in the brains of individuals who have made it their life’s work to develop a more grounded, calm and contented sense of being and learn more concrete and accessible practices from Neurodharma to develop your own unshakable core. Listen and Learn: How missing “the now” diminishes happinessThe neurological basis for how mindfulness increases wellbeingSimple hacks to take things less seriously and amplify happinessConcrete practices for increased awe, gratitude, and transcendenceWhy play and exuberance help hardwire Neurodharma seven power practices About Dr. Hanson: Dr. Rick Hanson Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, senior fellow at the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center, and the founder of The Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom. Dr. Hanson is also a meditation teacher and New York Times best-selling author of several books including his newest book, Neurodharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness. Dr. Hanson’s other books include Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength and Happiness; Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom; and Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm and Confidence. Dr. Hanson has spent decades both researching and steeping himself in neuroscience, clinical psychology and contemplative practices and is deeply committed to teaching people scientifically-validated methods to help them take charge of changing their brains for the better, from the inside out. Dr. Hanson received a B.A. from UCLA and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute. Resources: Neurodharma (affiliate link): Dr. Hanson’s 8-week online program in the practical science of a steady mind, kind heart and inner peace...SAVE $40: Promo Code: OFFTHECLOCK40The Foundations of Wellbeing (affiliate link): Dr. Hanson’s yearlong online program in positive neuroplasticity...SAVE $40: Promo Code: OFFTHECLOCK40 Being Well Podcast with Dr. Rick Hanson and Forrest HansonThe Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative WisdomNeurodharma: New Science, Ancient Wisdom, and Seven Practices of the Highest Happiness, by Rick Hanson Ph.D.Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength and Happiness, by Rick Hanson Ph.D. with Forrest HansonHardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm and Confidence, by Rick Hanson PhD Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom, by Rick Hanson Ph.D. with Richard Mendius, MD Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time, by Rick Hanson Ph.D.Mother Nurture: A Mother’s Guide to Health in Body, Mind, and Intimate Relationships, by Rick Hanson Ph.D., Jan Hanson, and Ricki Pollycove, MDThe Neurodharma of Love: Rewire Your Brain for Healthy Relationships, an audio CD by Rick Hanson Ph.D. Just One Thing, Dr. Hanson’s free online newsletter 139. Neurodharma with Dr. Rick Hanson (Part 1)122: Taking in the Good with Dr. Rick Hanson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Rick Hanson, a neuropsychologist and meditation teacher, shares insights from his latest book, focusing on seven core qualities for lasting well-being. He explains the merging of ancient wisdom and neuroscience, emphasizing practices that cultivate steadiness and compassion. Listeners learn why negativity lingers in our brains and how mindfulness can help rewire our thoughts. With practical exercises, Hanson invites everyone to explore unshakable calmness, warmth, and a deeper connection to self and others.

Many therapists have had clients who question the purpose of existence, or who are waiting until things change to start living life fully. As Dr. Robyn Walser gently reminds us in her latest book, The Heart of ACT: Developing a Flexible, Process-Based, and Client-Centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, each moment spent waiting is another moment of life gone by. In this episode, Dr. Robyn Walser, a frequent guest of the podcast, and Debbie explore the power of connecting with our own mortality and existence, in order to cultivate a greater sense of aliveness and remind us to do what’s most important today. “Since you're here anyway, you're here and you're conscious… What will you do? You can close down, and shut down, and hide and be afraid. Or you can take risks, and open up, and taste life as much as possible.” Dr. Robyn Walser Listen and Learn: Why getting in touch with our own death can enrich life by giving purpose to our existence.How ideas from existentialism can deepen therapy sessions How we can cultivate greater meaning and purpose during times of adversity (like COVID-19)Wise words for those who are reluctant to consider their own mortalityAbout the concept of “Compassionate Immediacy”Some tips to infuse more meaning into day-to-day lifeHow to build perspective-taking skills to increase freedom and choice About Robyn Walser Dr. Robyn Walser Robyn D. Walser, Ph.D. is staff at the National Center for PTSD, co-director of the Bay Area Trauma Recovery Center and is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, Berkeley. As a licensed clinical psychologist, she maintains an international training, consulting and therapy practice. Dr. Walser is an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has co-authored 5 books on ACT including Learning ACT, 2nd Edition, The Mindful Couple, ACT for Clergy and Pastoral Counselors: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Bridge Psychological and Spiritual Care, and The Heart of ACT: Developing a Flexible, Process-Based, and Client-Centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Resources: The Heart of ACT: Developing a Flexible, Process-Based, and Client-Centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Robyn WalserDebbie's blog post on how touching mortality can help us contact values and meaning. COVID Coach: Free mobile app from the National Center for PTSD designed to help EVERYONE in the community cope with feelings of stress and anxiety in response to the COVID-19 pandemicOnline course, Treating Trauma with ACT, with Dr. Robyn Walser 106. Therapy from “The Heart of ACT” with Dr. Robyn Walser116. Building a Meaningful, Values-Based Life Episode with Dr. Jenna LeJeune133. Mental Health in the Age of COVID-19 with Dr. Robyn Walser37. Post-Traumatic Growth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’re anything like us, parenting—and most certainly parenting under quarantine—can feel tedious, exhausting, mundane, and sometimes downright maddening! Yet time and again parents say some of their deepest joys in life stem from the time shared with their children. In this rich episode, Yael speaks with parenting expert Dr. Daphne de Marneffe, author of Maternal Desire: On Children, Love, and the Inner Life. They discuss the challenges of parenting for women. They talk about navigating seemingly competing interests in a manner that allows you to manage the stressors more wisely and experience more pleasure, when and where you can. Listen and Learn: The value of parenting for our children and ourselvesHow parenthood makes us more skillful in the workplace The value in being “around and there” (even if you are distracted)The emotional complexity of childcare Making household tasks feel less chore-likeWhy time is so important in our relationship with our childrenHow to value and honor the difficulties in parentingAnd how to value, honor, and take advantage of the times when we make parenting mistakes. Dr. Daphne De Marnefe About Dr. Daphne de Marneffe Daphne de Marneffe, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, couples and parenting expert, and author of Maternal Desire: On Children, Love, and the Inner Life and The Rough Patch: Marriage and the Art of Living Together. Dr. de Marneffe’s clinical work and writing are informed by developmental psychology and her decades of experience treating couples and parents. Her work has been published in academic journals and the popular press, including The New York Times, and she is a contributing editor to Parents Magazine where she writes a regular column on couple relationships. Dr. De Marneffe received a B.A. from Harvard University and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from U.C. Berkeley. Resources: Maternal Desire: On Children, Love, and the Inner Life, by Dr. Daphne de MarneffeThe Rough Patch: Marriage and the Art of Living Together, by Dr. Daphne de Marneffe Daphne’s website Other Resources for Parents During Quarantine A preprint of the article “First Things First: Parent Psychological Flexibility and Self-Compassion during COVID-19,” by Lisa Coyne, Evelyn Gould, Mikala Grimaldi, Kelly Wilson, Gabriel Baffuto, Anthony Biglan. 134. What to do When Work, Parenting, and Partnership Collide During Quarantine92. Marriage in Midlife: The Rough Patch with Dr. Daphne de Marneffe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be paralyzing and severely affect one’s life. Successfully diagnosing and treating OCD in the teen years gives young people their lives back by helping them meaningfully re-engage with friends, school, and life in general rather than losing hours a day to awful and unwanted thoughts. In this episode, Jill talks with OCD expert and clinical psychologist Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona, author of The ACT Workbook for Teens with OCD: Unhook Yourself and Live Life to the Full by Patricia Zurita Ona, Psy.D.about this new resource that combines the best of Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to successfully treat teens who struggle with OCD. Listen and Learn: What is Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)?Why combine ERP and ACT for teens with OCD?Fun exercises like Scrambling and Singing Your Obsessions to engage teens Why this OCD expert adds “choice points” to every exposure session About Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona Dr. Patricia E. Zurita Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona, or “Dr. Z.,” is a licensed clinical psychologist, founder of the East Bay Therapy Center in Walnut Creek, California, and author The ACT Workbook for Teens with OCD. She is also a faculty member at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, California and has authored Escaping the Emotional Roller Coaster: ACT for the Emotionally Sensitive and coauthored Parenting a Troubled Teen: Manage Conflict and Deal with Intense Emotions with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Dr. Zurita Ona specializes in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma, anxiety and emotion regulation issues and works with children, teens, and adults. She is passionate about helping her clients unhook from fear to live the lives they were meant to live. Dr. Zurita Ona was born and raised in Bolivia and received her Psy.D. from the Wright Institute. Resources actbeyondOCD.com: Dr. Patricia Zurita Ona’s online class for people struggling with OCDThe ACT Workbook for Teens with OCD: Unhook Yourself and Live Life to the Full by Patricia Zurita Ona, Psy.D.Living Beyond OCD: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Workbook for OCD by Patricia Zurita Ona Psy.D. (published in October 2020)Parenting a Troubled Teen: Manage Conflict and Deal with Intense Emotions with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Patricia Zurita Ona Psy.D., Matthew McKay, Ph.D., and Kirk Stroshal, Ph.D.Escaping the Emotional Roller Coaster: ACT for the Emotionally Sensitive by Patricia Zurita Ona Psy.D. 108. Is Your Self-Control Out of Control? with Hope Arnold (Part 1)79. Helping Adolescents Thrive with Dr. Louise Hayes78. The Self-Driven Child with Dr. William Stixrud54. Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Dr. Veronica Raggi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Trying to drag people to change doesn’t work. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative approach that increases people’s inner motivation and commitment to positive change. Motivational Interviewing is used across numerous settings including weight loss, exercise, smoking, substance use, teaching, coaching and supports people in making change for themselves. In this episode, Diana interviews the co-founder of Motivational Interviewing, Dr. Stephen Rollnick. He discusses the power of empathy and open-ended questions as he demonstrates the spirit of Motivational Interviewing. He offers communication strategies you can use as a parent, teacher, coach, health care worker, partner or friend. “The more we try to persuade people to change, tell them why it was a good idea, tell them how to go about it, the harder they seem to kick back.”Stephen Rollnick Listen and Learn How to use empathy to respond to ambivalence and resistanceHow you can speak with somebody to get the best out of themWhy being a problem solver isn’t always helpfulWhy affirmation is more powerful than praise when it comes to changeHow Motivational Interviewing is used in health care, pediatric AIDS and with athletesWhy being an expert can backfireHow even the co-founder of Motivational Interviewing falls into traps of pushing for change About Stephen Rollnick Dr. Stephen Rollnick Dr. Stephen Rollnick is a co-founder of Motivational Interviewing.  He an Honorary Distinguished Professor in the School of Medicine in Cardiff University, Wales, UK with a research record focused on good practice in efforts to promote change and behavior change among patients, clients and the practitioners who serve them. His work has included support to programs for pregnant teens, children with HIV-AIDS in Africa and medication adherence in different areas.  He is a co-founder of PATA (Paediatric Aids Treatment for Africa) and the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), an international network for trainers.  He is the co-author of Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change (Miller and Rollnick, 1991; 2001 & 2012), Health Behaviour Change: A Guide for Practitioners (Rollnick, Mason & Butler, 1999) and Motivational Interviewing in Health Care (Rollnick, Miller & Butler, 2008), Motivational Interviewing in Schools (2016) and Coaching Athletes to Be Their Best: Motivational Interviewing in Sports (2020). Resources for Motivational Interviewing Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change by Willaim Miller and Stephen RollnickMotivational Interviewing in Health Care by Stephen Rollnick, William Miller, and Christopher ButlerCoaching Athletes to Be Their Best: Motivational Interviewing in Sports by Stephen Rollnick, Johnathan Fader, and Jeff Breckon 101. The Complete Family Guide to Addiction with Thomas Harrison and Dr. Hilary Connery66. Helping People Change Using Motivational Interviewing With Dr. Nadine Mastroleo72. Committed Action with Dr. DJ Moran3. The Science of Self-Compassion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We are facing an unprecedented challenge of how to work, parent, homeschool, and partner in the time of the Coronavirus Pandemic. During this tragedy, many of us have felt overwhelmed by the nuts and bolts of maintaining our most important life roles. In this episode, Yael and Diana draw from psychology research, personal experience, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). We discuss strategies to keep our heads above water in each of our life roles while keeping an eye towards finding slivers of possibility to support our work, parenting, and relationships during this quarantine. Listen and learn: How to soothe your nervous system when stressed-outStrategies to engage self-compassion and psychological flexibility How to take breaks, find meaning, and explore the possibilityPerspective shifting so that you can manage expectations, mistakes, and challengesTo look for opportunities for growth and joy in our parenting, work, and relationshipsWays to make room for complex emotions How to support positive connections between work, parenting, and relationships while quarantined Resources: Blessings of a Skinned Knee: Raising Self-Reliant Children, by Wendy Mogel Learn more about self-compassion and resilience: 75. Mindful Self-Compassion with Christopher Germer22. Taking in the Good with Rick Hanson Ideas for Parenting Effectively and Compassionately: 78. The Self-Driven Child with Dr. William Stixrud113. Self-Compassion for Parents with Dr. Susan Pollak Ideas for Managing Work Under Difficult Circumstances 42. Strategies To Increase Focus And Work More Effectively58. Balancing the Big Stuff with Drs. Miriam Liss and Holly Schiffrin73. Essentialism With Greg McKeown83. The Tao of Work and Family Balance130. Working Less with Dr. Alex Pang Ideas for Maintaining Healthy Partnerships 21. Fostering A Connected Partnership61. Becoming Our Best Relationship Selves By Identifying Core Values And Schemas With Dr. Avigail Lev92. Marriage in Midlife: The Rough Patch with Dr. Daphne de Marneffe Learn about Values and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): 116. Building a Meaningful, Values-based Life with Dr. Jenna LeJeune121. Be Mighty: An Episode for Stressed Out, Worried Women with Dr. Jill Stoddard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Robyn Walser, a frequent guest of the podcast, and Debbie explore how we can be our “better angels” in the midst of these extreme challenges. We can do this by making values-based decisions, while still caring for ourselves and our loved ones. Dr. Walser discusses strategies for effectively caring for one’s mental health in this current moment of extreme trauma and stress, and beyond. We talk about mental health factors like anxiety, alcohol/substance abuse, and sleep. Then we explore how we can come together collectively to find meaning and hope during these difficult times with the new coronavirus, COVID-19. During this time of global crisis with COVID-19, many of us are experiencing fear, sadness, anger, and anxiety. We are all impacted by this pandemic, directly or indirectly, and many are experiencing a high level of stress. Therefore, it is a time when caring for both physical and mental wellness, is more important than ever. About Robyn Walser Dr. Robyn Walser Dr. Walser is staff at the National Center for PTSD, co-director of the Bay Area Trauma Recovery Center and is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, Berkeley. As a licensed clinical psychologist, she maintains an international training, consulting and therapy practice. Dr. Walser is an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and has co-authored 5 books on ACT including Learning ACT, 2nd Edition, The Mindful Couple, ACT for Clergy and Pastoral Counselors: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to Bridge Psychological and Spiritual Care, and The Heart of ACT: Developing a Flexible, Process-Based, and Client-Centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Resources Former podcast guest and ACT co-founder Steve Hayes’s blog post on How to be a Corona Virus Hero.Self-care guide in the time of COVID-19 by Dr. Andrea Birnbaum Tips from our former podcast guest Tara Mohr on Handling Tensions While Stuck at Home Together Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websiteCOVID Coach: Free mobile app from the National Center for PTSD designed to help EVERYONE in the community cope with feelings of stress and anxiety in response to the COVID-19 pandemicOnline course, Treating Trauma with ACT, with Dr. Robyn Walser Books by Pema Chodron Supporting Mental Health The Wisdom of No Escape: and the Path of Loving-Kindness Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate LivingWhen Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times Comfortable with Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion 44. Anxiety Happens with Dr. John Forsyth49. Empowering Women with Dr. Robyn Walser102. A Liberated Mind with Dr. Steven Hayes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We all know we “should” move our bodies but some of us struggle with wanting to or get caught up in complicated, negative and rule-bound messages about how to move our bodies. Join Jill for an uplifting and motivating discussion with Dr. McGonigal, author of The Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage about the intrinsic power of movement for everybody, and ways to change your relationship with physical exercise so your brain comes to actually like, want, and need it! Listen and Learn: Tips to train your brain to find joy in movementThe surprising upside of lactic acidHow exercise improves and enhances social connection/communityThe power of moving in synchrony. About Dr. Kelly McGonigal: Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D. is a health psychologist, a lecturer at Stanford University, and best-selling author of The Upside of Stress and The Willpower Instinct. She also helped design the Stanford Compassion Cultivation Training, a course originally developed for the Stanford Center for Compassion and Altruism, that is now offered worldwide to help individuals cultivate greater empathy, compassion, and social connection. Dr. McGonigal has spent decades researching and steeping herself in neuroscience, health psychology, and movement practices and is deeply committed to translating the latest research from these fields to help others experience improved health, happiness, and wellbeing. Dr. McGonigal received her Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University and a B.A. in psychology and B.S. in Communications from Boston University. Resources: Kellymcgonigal.comThe Joy of Movement: How Exercise Helps Us Find Happiness, Hope, Connection, and Courage by Kelly McGonigal, PhD The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good for You and How to Get Good at It by Kelly McGonigal, PhDThe Willpower Instinct: How Self Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It by Kelly McGonigal, PhDYoga for Pain Relief: Simple Practices to Calm Your Mind and Heal Your Body by Kelly McGonigal, PhD 43. Willpower With Dr. Kelly McGonigal124. Nutritious Movement and Why it Matters with Katy Bowman, M.S.129. Yoga for All and Body Kindness with Dr. Jennifer Webb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Diana in a short Pranayama or yogic breathing meditation. Take 10 minutes to savor the present moment and your breath! Related Psychologists Off The Clock Episodes 81. A Gift For You: 10 Min Breathing Meditation70. A Gift For You: Loving-Kindness Meditation122. Taking in the Good with Dr. Rick Hanson114. The Way of Effortless Mindfulness with Loch Kelly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.