Mental Note Mental Note

In our next two episodes, we will explore a disorder affecting nearly one in five Americans - Substance Use Disorder (SUD). From knowing when your patterns are problematic, to building new neural pathways, to measuring success - we want to dig deep. And we’ve got the incredible expertise of Leah Young to show us why there’s so much reason for hope when dealing with addictive behaviors and substances.
You can think of today’s podcast as Substance Use Disorder 101. It answers the questions, “How do you know if your use of alcohol or drugs is a problem?” and “Are you exhibiting problematic addictive behaviors?” We will cover topics like
Early warning signs Denial Sober curiosity Next steps for getting support.
 Our second episode will examine recovery models for SUD - abstinence, moderation, and harm reduction - and how to know what works for you.
Resources:
Brief video overview about Substance Use Disorders from the Center for Disease Control: Click Here Infographic: 2022 Survey on Drug Use and Health - Click Here Book: Sober Curious by Ruby Warrington - Click Here Podcast: Sober Curious with Ruby Warrington - Click Here Mental Note Podcast: www.mentalnotepodcast.com Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center: www.pathlightbh.com  Eating Recovery Center: www.eatingrecoverycenter.com  Free Group Support: https://www.pathlightbh.com/support-groups  Free Evaluation with a Trained Therapist:  (877) 850-7199  Nearly all substances and many addictive behaviors have 12-step meetings. Below are some examples, but you can search online for the national and local chapters nearest you.  www.aa.org www.marijuana-anonymous.org www.thesira.org - Self Harm www.slaafws.org & www.slaa4poc.neocities.org - Sex and Love Addicts www.recoverydharma.org www.smartrecovery.org www.celebraterecovery.com www.lifering.org www.moderation.org Plus many others that may not be as well known, available, and/or regional 

Close relationships set the tone for how we experience love and security. Yet, keeping those relationships healthy is rarely easy. Fortunately, Attachment Theory researchers have spent decades scrutinizing why we connect the way we do and what actions help make friendships, partnerships, and family bonds flourish.
For therapist, mama, and author Eli Harwood - aka Attachment Nerd - her journey into understanding attachment patterns was deeply personal. Her early life programmed her to believe that she could not consistently rely on her needs being met. As an adult, this belief severely impacted her ability to connect with others, prompting Eli to find the best tools for healing and growing new attachment patterns. She benefited from that growth so much that she spent the past 17 years inviting others to discover how fun and stress-free this transformation can be.
Today’s show is all about understanding basic Attachment Patterns, how they affect our relationships, and how we can enjoy becoming more secure parents, friends, and humans. 
Resources:
Website - Click Here Instagram - @attachmentnerd  Podcast - Click Here  Book - Securely Attached - Click Here Free webinar - Click Here 2 Minute Attachment Quiz - Click Here Collection of coaching tips - Click Here

Mental Note Podcast: www.mentalnotepodcast.com Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center: www.pathlightbh.com  Eating Recovery Center: www.eatingrecoverycenter.com  Free Group Support: https://www.pathlightbh.com/support-groups  Free Evaluation with a Trained Therapist:  (877) 850-7199

Today, we investigate Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) - a diagnosis that can be as confusing as its name suggests…
But fear not! We are lucky to have Dr. Michelle Jones as our guide. As a clinical psychologist who studied ARFID since it first became a diagnosis, she's uniquely qualified to distill years of research into succinct explanations. Together, we unpack all the fascinating ways ARFID affects our relationship with food, plus what to do if you or someone you love is diagnosed with it. 
Resources:
Book - Guide for Parents and Carers by Rachel Bryant-Waugh ARFID information: videos, resources, and treatment options - Click Here Quiz if you think you or a loved one have ARFID - Click Here 

Mental Note Podcast: www.mentalnotepodcast.com Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center: www.pathlightbh.com Eating Recovery Center: www.eatingrecoverycenter.com Free Group Support: eatingrecoverycenter.com/support-groups Free Evaluation with a Trained Therapist:  (877) 850-7199

One chilly Maine morning, enveloped in a snowed-in cabin, musician DW sat at a piano recording a melody that had just popped into his brain. As he played, the phrase “I deserve to be well” tumbled out of his mouth in song. 
He immediately broke down in tears asking, “Wow, do I really believe this?”
That question, and the ensuing album he created with his band The Collection, fueled an artistic journey to make sense of depression, the stigma of psychiatric medication, and asserting self-worth. 
We sit down with David to hear his mental health story, why he chose to share it publicly, and enjoy a special performance of two new singles from The Collection’s upcoming album. 
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Resources:
David’s Links
The Collection's Website: www.thecollectionband.com TikTok: @thecollectionband Instagram: @collectionband Link Tree: linktr.ee
Mental Note Podcast & Mental Health
Mental Note Podcast: www.mentalnotepodcast.com Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center: www.pathlightbh.com  Eating Recovery Center: www.eatingrecoverycenter.com Free Group Support: eatingrecoverycenter.com/support-groups Free Evaluation with a Trained Therapist:  (877) 850-7199

The end of the calendar year packs a lot into a short amount of time and it can be easy to deprioritize your mental health in all that noise. One of the best ways to refocus on your values is to remember the ways you’ve grown this past year. 
So to honor the journey of 2023, we created an audio mural using six short stories from listeners and past guests. Storytellers focus not only on specific challenges but also on how they have built resilience, fostered mental health, leaned on therapy, and tapped into community. Ultimately, these collective vignettes whisper a comforting reminder that we are not alone and that hope is stronger than defeat. 
Storytellers
Alex  Carrie Zhang Eric Dorsa Gloria Jen Ponton Shay  Resources:
Mental Note Podcast: www.mentalnotepodcast.com
Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center: www.pathlightbh.com 
Eating Recovery Center: www.eatingrecoverycenter.com
Free Group Support: eatingrecoverycenter.com/support-groups
Free Evaluation with a Trained Therapist:  (877) 850-7199

Today’s episode is all about giving you an incredibly practical tool for navigating emotion-focused conversations anywhere and with anyone. To do that, we’ve invited Dr. Allison Chase to walk us through Emotion Focused Family Therapy (EFFT for short).

Mostly, we will focus on Emotion Coaching - a skill that creates shortcuts between two very different parts of the brain. The results are powerful and can help you and your loved one feel connected and empowered rather than confused and upset.

It’s important to note that Dr. Chase discusses EFFT skills in the context of a caregiver’s relationship with someone battling an eating disorder, but you can take EFFT skills into any relationship that gets sidetracked by intense emotional outbursts - be they at work, home, or out in the world. 

Resources:
Dr. LaFrance’s book: What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work: A Practical Guide for Parents and Caregivers Free Self-guided EFFT Learning Series  EFFT Basics: Video Mental Note Podcast Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center Eating Recovery Center Navigating the Holiday Season with Resilience & Community Support Group Free Evaluation with a Trained Therapist:  (877) 850-7199