The Science of Psychotherapy

Richard talks about the distinction between the normal function of being anxious and when it turns into problematic anxiety. For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

Harrison Koehli, editor of the second edition of Andrew Lobaczewski’s Political Ponerology and independent researcher of political psychopathy. He recounts Lobaczewski’s life and secret research. He explains how pathological individuals infiltrate movements and seize power. He describes manipulation strategies, the tactical use of emotional deficits, and why political psychopathy is understudied.

They debate why therapists prefer step-by-step protocols over broad, deep knowledge. They explore fast versus slow thinking and the illusion of false competence from scripts. They discuss how rich mental models, neuroscience literacy, metaphors, and consistency theory support flexible, creative practice. They critique cultural pressures favoring scalable algorithms over nuanced clinical understanding.

Richard talks about the synthesis and importance of vitamin D. You can find his two page summary of vitamin D synthesis on our download page https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/pages/downloads For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

Matt talks about inflammation and mental wellbeing. Mentioned in the episode: The Inflamed Mind course https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/inflamed-mind Matt's book on the left hemisphere and there's one there on inflammation as well https://books.by/matthew-dahlitz Richard's books https://www.books.by/richard-hill For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

We've been taught that breathing exercises are all about oxygen - it's not. Richard Hill explains as he unpacks what's helpful and what's not, when it comes to breathing for mental health. From our Academy: Can we Breathe Ourselves to Improved Health? (free article) https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/breath-improved-health The Unifying Language of Breathing https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/language-of-breathing Breathwork & Psychotherapy (1hr course) https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/jessica-dibb-1hr For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

Mentions in this video: The Embodied Mind https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/the-embodied-mind-2-hrs Epigenetics (3 hr reading course) https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/epigenetics-2-hrs Epigenetics with John Arden (free) https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/epigenetics-with-john-arden For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

A lively dive into modern propaganda and how digital media hooks our left-hemisphere, promoting simplified, polarizing narratives. They explore algorithmic card-stacking and the rise of AI-driven cultural shifts. Stories about embodied encounters and mindfulness are offered as contrasts to screen-driven hyperreality.

Resources mentioned in the show: Jonah Paquette encourages us to be awestruck https://youtu.be/2S_O_RAbeBY?si=A9FoT8QY8QncCPm7 Also from Jonah: Happily Even After with Jonah Paquette https://youtu.be/8w-4kfxklzg?si=4F9rP8SjWPTOOGTH Content on Complexity: Complexity, Chaos and Creativity in Human Relationships https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/complexity-human-relationships Complexity theory: a rediscovered link between strategic therapy and systemic therapy https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/complexity-theory Content about Curiosity: The Science of Curiosity https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/the-science-of-2-hrs Permissible Curiosity https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/permissible-curiosity Consciousness, Curiosity & Possibility https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/curiosity-possibility Implementing a Curiosity Oriented Approach https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/curiosity-approach The Curiosity of Addiction https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/curiosity-of-addiction Curiosity and the Learning Brain https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/curiosity-learning-brain Curiosity and Possibility in Practice https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/curiosity-and-possibility-in-practice The Nuntius Nuclei: A New Neuroscience for Curiosity https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/nuntius-nuclei For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

In this first episode of Making Sense of a Complex World, Richard and Matt chat about the Hyperreality Simulacrum and are we losing touch with reality in a simulated AI-generated world. Send us your questions: https://thescienceofpsychotherapy.com/ Resources: Hyperreality Summary Video: https://youtu.be/jskwH4nJ-4E?si=UmnbN9pehrpWAuLV Free article: https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/hyperreality-download Course for Subscribers: https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/collapse-of-reality Mental Health Through Exercise: How to Incorporate Physical Activity into Psychotherapeutic Treatment https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/physical-exercise Play as a Neural Exercise https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/play-polyvagal Kitchen Garden Programs https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/kitchen-garden The Importance of Breaking Rules—Therapy, Art and Integration. https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/art-therapy Art Therapy Relational Neuroscience Model https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/atr-n Creativity: Part 11 of an exploration of The Matter With Things https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/creativity For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net