Behavioral Health Today

Triad

Welcome to Behavioral Health Today, a podcast by Triad, where we tackle trending topics in behavioral and mental health. The Behavioral Health Today podcast shares unique and relevant topics occurring within our world and communities with a mental health professional perspective.

  1. 4D AGO

    The Snowball Method: Engineering Exam Success from Test-Day Trauma with Dr. Erica Ligons – Episode 441

    Success on the EPPP requires a structured "Snowball" effect rather than luck. By layering information and building community, you transform a debilitating and isolating process into a manageable path to licensure. In this episode, Peter Finger sits down with Dr. Erica Ligons. Erica is a licensed clinical psychologist, founder of Crush That Exam, and owner of Vilago Psychology. After overcoming her own ADHD, severe test anxiety, and a history of struggling with standardized exams, she passed the psychology licensing exam with a score far above the requirement and began helping others do the same. She launched her coaching work in 2019 to bring equity, structure, and confidence to overwhelmed test takers. Using her signature Snowball Study Method, Dr. Ligons helps students and professionals master content, calm anxiety, and truly crush their exams. I am excited to have Erica with me today to break down how test anxiety impacts performance, why traditional studying often fails anxious learners, and how coaching and mindset shifts help people study smarter and rebuild their confidence.   For more information about Crush That Exam, please visit: https://www.crushthatexam.com If you would like to join a free Q&A session, view upcoming events here: https://www.crushthatexam.com/events Discover what other test-takers are saying about Crush That Exam and their program: https://www.crushthatexam.com/testimonials If you are an employer or organization that would like to become a partner, please visit: https://www.crushthatexam.com/employers-programs Connect with Crush That Exam on social media: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crushthatexam/ On Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crush-that-exam/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrushThatExam On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crushthatexam

    58 min
  2. APR 7

    The Ethics of Growth: Helping Therapists Navigate the Google Ads Minefield with John Sanders – Episode 440

    Stop relying on the dreaded service page. A generic list of specialties is not a marketing strategy; it is a deterrent. If you want a potential client to trust you with their deepest secrets, you must provide a page that actually speaks their language. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with John Sanders, the founder and CEO of RevKey. John leads a specialized digital advertising agency that helps mental health professionals grow their practices through ethical, data-driven Google Ads. Since launching RevKey as a solo operation in 2018, he has built a dedicated team of ten focused on delivering measurable results rather than marketing fluff. John is a trusted voice at leading industry conferences and podcasts, known for helping therapists navigate HIPAA sensitive environments and avoid the common traps of wasted ad spend. Today, we explore his unique approach to practice growth, covering everything from effective website strategies and essential metrics to the latest trends in the mental health space.   For more information about RevKey, please visit: https://www.revkey.com/podcasts Learn more about Google Ads for Therapists & Group Practices: https://www.revkey.com/google-ads-for-therapists See how clinets have worked with RevKey: https://www.revkey.com/google-ads-case-studies Connect with RevKey on social media: Connect on Instagram: http://instagram.com/revkeyads/ Connect on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/revkey/ Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revkeydigital

    47 min
  3. MAR 31

    Sticky Labels: The Rise of the Diagnostic Age with Dr. Alastair Santhouse– Episode 439

    A diagnostic label should be a flashlight that helps you find your way, not a cage that defines who you are allowed to be. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Alastair Santhouse, a consultant neuropsychiatrist at London’s Maudsley Hospital with nearly 30 years of clinical and leadership experience. From treating complex physical-mental health intersections to serving at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr. Santhouse has spent his career at the front lines of human distress. He is the author of “Head First” (2021) and his timely new work, “No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age of Over-Diagnosis” (2025). Together, we explore the modern "diagnostic creep" and the risks of over-medicalizing the natural spectrum of human experience. Dr. Santhouse offers a vital perspective on how psychiatry can pivot to better serve those with severe illness while restoring personal agency and a healthier societal understanding of what it means to be "normal."   For more information about “No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age of Over-Diagnosis” by Dr. Alastair Santhouse, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Normal-Mental-Over-Diagnosis-ebook/dp/B0DB14K81B For more information about Dr. Alastair Santhouse, please visit: https://www.alastairsanthouse.com For more information about Alastair’s other books, please visit: https://www.alastairsanthouse.com/author

    40 min
  4. MAR 24

    BHT Bytes – The Professional Cut: How the Big Beautiful Bill Redefines 'Worth' – Episode 438

    When "professional" is defined by a paycheck rather than a license, we trade our society's healers for a system reserved only for those who can afford the entry fee. In this episode of BHT Bytes, hosts Sharlee Dixon and Peter Fenger tackle the sobering "declassification" of behavioral health degrees under the 2026 "One Big Beautiful Bill." As the Department of Education narrows the definition of a "professional" career, social workers, counselors, and therapists find themselves sidelined into a lower funding tier, capped at $20,500 in federal loans while their peers in law and dentistry access $50,000. We explore the "funding canyon" created by the death of Grad PLUS loans, the shift toward a 30-year Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), and the dangerous message this sends to the care economy. By prioritizing high-salary ROI over essential service, is the government turning life-saving professions into "elite-only" careers? Join us as we discuss whether the technical definition of "professional" is colliding with the human reality of "essential," and what this fiscal shift means for the future of the mental health workforce and the diverse practitioners our communities desperately need.   Follow Behavioral Health Today on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/behavioralhealthtoday/ Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@behavioralhealthtoday Follow us on Threads at: https://www.threads.net/@behavioralhealthtoday Or watch us live on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOeCMGsF7B2gNBHuWxt-fQ

    22 min
  5. MAR 17

    The Thrive Tribe: Closing the Gaps in Survivor Healing with Chris Yadon & Ana Megreslishvili – Episode 437

    Healing is an evolution rather than a graduation. While recovery is often treated as a destination, true healing is the daily process of becoming better than yesterday and gaining the tools to navigate the storm when it returns. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Chris Yadon and Ana Megrelishvili. Chris is the Managing Director of Saprea, a nonprofit devoted to liberating individuals and society from child sexual abuse through healing and prevention. As the organization's first employee in 2015, Chris has led Saprea’s growth into a global leader in survivor support. He brings both strategic executive leadership and a deep personal commitment to this critical mission. Joining him is Ana Megrelishvili, a survivor, advocate, and community leader from Atlanta. Ana co-chairs the annual Saprea Gala, where she uses her voice and lived experience to bring visibility to the realities of abuse while inspiring hope for fellow survivors. Together, Chris and Ana share the heart of Saprea’s mission and the profound impact their healing programs have on the community. This conversation explores how Saprea supports adult survivors through connection and prevention efforts, featuring Ana’s firsthand journey of resilience and transformation.   For more information about Saprea, please visit: https://saprea.org For prevention resources for parents and clinicians, please visit: https://saprea.org/prevent/ To learn more about volunteering opportunities, please visit: https://saprea.org/volunteer/ Consider a donation to Saprea at: https://support.saprea.org/give/230670/#!/donation/checkout For more information about partnerships, please visit: https://saprea.org/partnerships/ Connect with Chris Yadon on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-yadon-mpa-3533937/ Connect with Chris Yadon on Substack: https://chrisyadon.substack.com

    42 min
  6. MAR 12

    The Way of Kami: 8 Million Ways to Happiness Through Japanese Ritual, Nature, & Renewal with Hiroko Yoda – Episode 436

    Joy isn't something you chase. It's something you notice, when you finally stop, put down your phone, and look around. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Hiroko Yoda, a Tokyo-born cultural historian, writer, and journalist who has spent decades making Japanese spirituality, folklore, and tradition feel alive and accessible for Western audiences. A certified Shinto cultural historian and former Miko shrine dancer, Hiroko has authored and co-authored numerous books exploring Japan's rich spiritual heritage, and co-founded AltJapan Co., Ltd., a creative bridge helping Japanese storytellers in video games, anime, manga, and film share their work with the world. Her latest book, “Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan”, is at once a memoir, a travel log, and a cultural deep dive. Drawing on the Shinto concept of kami, the countless unseen presences said to inhabit everything from mountains and oceans to the words we speak, Hiroko invites readers to loosen their grip on rigid ideas of belief and discover spirituality as something far more flexible, practical, and personal. Part grief journey, part cultural history, the book shows how small rituals, reverence for nature, and a spirit of play can make us feel less alone, even in the hardest seasons of life. Today, we explore what it means to live as though everything has a spirit, and why that simple shift in perspective might be one of the most powerful tools we have.   For more information about “Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisodom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan“ by Hiroko Yoda, please visit: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735293/eight-million-ways-to-happiness-by-hiroko-yoda/ For more information about Hiroko and her work, please visit: https://www.hirokoyoda.com Join Hiroko’s newsletter at: https://blog.hirokoyoda.com Connect with Hiroko on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/hi_yoda_1/ Connect with Hiroko on Tiktok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@hiroko_yoda Connect with Hiroko on X at: https://twitter.com/Ninetail_foxQ

    43 min
  7. MAR 10

    From Chronic Pain to Full Recovery: How Nervana Is Rewriting the Rules of Healing with Nora Rodden – Episode 435

    Your nervous system learned danger. It can learn safety too. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Nora Rodden, CEO and co-founder of Nervana, a science-based mobile app helping people regulate their nervous systems and reclaim their lives from chronic pain. After a life-altering car accident left her suffering from chronic pain, GI issues, and insomnia for over five years, Nora didn't find relief through injections, surgery, or nerve ablation. She found it through neuroscience. A clinical trial at Harvard Business School introduced her to the power of mind-body therapy, and effectively rewired her brain's alarm system. Now, drawing on her background in biotech and her training as a certified yoga teacher, she's on a mission to bring these evidence-based neuroplasticity tools out of the research lab and into the hands of millions. In this conversation, Nora takes us inside her recovery, the science behind chronic pain, and how Nervana is helping users move from a chronic state of fight-or-flight back to one of lasting internal safety, one small, powerful experiment at a time.   For more information about Nervana, please visit: https://www.trynervana.com To download Nervana from the Apple App store, please visit: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nervana-chronic-symptom-coach/id6754898332 Listeners can save $50 on their subscription with BHT50. Questions about Nervana? Please contact Nora at support@trynervana.com If you are a clinician and interested in sharing Nervana with your clients, please visit: https://www.trynervana.com/for-clinicians Connect with Nora on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/norarabah

    39 min
  8. MAR 3

    The Brain Architect: How Movement, Food, & Purpose Reshape Your Hippocampus with Dr. Majid Fotuhi – Episode 434

    Your hippocampus isn't a fixed shape, it's a garden. With the right sleep, movement, and purpose, it can actually grow larger and stronger at any age. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Majid Fotuhi, a pioneering neurologist and neuroscientist with more than 35 years of experience in brain health, memory, neuroplasticity, and the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Fotuhi earned his PhD in neuroscience from Johns Hopkins, completed his medical training at Harvard Medical School, and returned to Johns Hopkins for his neurology residency, where he now serves as an adjunct professor. Known for translating complex brain science into practical tools, his award-winning work has helped thousands improve memory, focus, and clarity. His expertise has been featured on CNN, NBC News, the Today Show, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and more. He is also the author of the new book “The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life.” In this conversation, Dr. Fotuhi shares the science behind his 12-week program and the everyday habits, movement, nutrition, mindset, stress control, purpose, and even embracing boredom, that help prevent cognitive decline and keep your mind sharp for life.   For more information about Dr. Majid Fotuhi, please visit: https://drfotuhi.com For more information about “The Invisible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life” by Dr. Majid Fotuhi, MD, PhD, please visit: https://drfotuhi.com/pre-order/ For more information about Dr. Fotuhi’s online courses, please visit: https://drfotuhi.com/online-course-app/ For more information about The Invincible Brain App, please visit: https://invincible.drfotuhi.com Connect with Dr. Fotuhi on social media: Connect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrFotuhi Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_fotuhi/ Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.fotuhi Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmajidfotuhi Connect on X: https://x.com/drfotuhi

    1h 4m
4.8
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

Welcome to Behavioral Health Today, a podcast by Triad, where we tackle trending topics in behavioral and mental health. The Behavioral Health Today podcast shares unique and relevant topics occurring within our world and communities with a mental health professional perspective.

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