
37 episodes

Human First with Dr. Courtney Tracy Human First with Dr. Courtney
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- Health & Fitness
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4.9 • 229 Ratings
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Dr. Courtney Tracy, a licensed clinical social worker and doctor of clinical psychology in California, hosts an unfiltered mental health podcast that holds nothing back. As an award-winning content creator, Dr. Courtney's goal with this podcast to leave you with powerful takeaways that impact your life or to at least leave your heart feeling a little more full or a little more understood. You're a human, FIRST, and Dr. Courtney's here to remind you of that. Follow Dr. Courtney on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @the.truth.doctor.
New episodes every other Tuesday!
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Mental Health Communities: "You Can't Heal In An Invalidating Environment"
Join Dr. Courtney Tracy, aka The Truth Doctor, a licensed psychotherapist and doctor of clinical psychology, as she discusses Seven Aspects Every Mental Health Community Should Have to ensure it's a safe and validating environment. Dr. Courtney discusses recent life events and how her experiences led her to creating her own mental health community for her global online audience. There's also a discount code in the episode for those who want to join! We think this episode could help people who want to learn what to look for in a supportive community and those who experience traits of or are diagnosed with borderline personality, autism, and/or ADHD. We'd love to hear from you via screenshots on social media by tagging us at @the.truth.doctor and @truthdoctormedia. Thank you, and enjoy.
The main message of the episode: You deserve a community that helps you heal, and that teaches you what it means to be a human while treating you like one.
Follow Dr. Courtney on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @the.truth.doctor. Learn more about Truth Doctor Media at thetruthdoctor.com.
LISTEN TO EPISODES ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS!
Timestamps:
00:00 - 00:49 - Intro and Starting the Truth Doctor
00:50 - 04:17 - Dr. Courtney's outpatient center and job interviews re: BPD stigma
04:18 - 05:20 - How stigma lives on the internet and social media too
05:21 - 08:24 - What is a "Validating Environment"? and What is "Community?"
08:25 - 08:30 - Seven Aspects of A Healthy Mental Health Community
08:31 - 11:04 - 1) A safe and supportive space
11:05 - 11:39 - 2) Accessible mental health resources
11:40 - 12:26 - 3) Empowerment and advocacy
12:27 - 13:22 - 4) Holistic mental health approach
13:23 - 14:49 - 5) Embracing diversity and reducing stigma
14:50 - 16:33 - 6) Community engagement and connection
16:34 - 17:47 - 7) Mental health education and awareness
17:48 - 19:54 - The Truth Doctor's three slogans
19:56 - 20:19 - Dr. Courtney's Validating Environment: her new Glad You Exist community
20:20 - 22:42 - The Glad You Exist community
22:43 - 24:16 - Glad You Exist community mental health and BPD healing offerings
24:17 - 25:16 - Why did Dr. Courtney create the Glad You Exist community?
25:17 - 26:35 - Learn more at thetruthdoctor.com/gladyouexist (discount code: HFPOD)
26:36 - 30:29 - Upcoming Glad You Exist events and the six principles of Glad You Exist
30:30 - 33:05 - Outro and "so glad you exist"
COMMUNITY WEBSITE: https://www.thetruthdoctor.com/gladyouexist
Starter Membership (3 months w/ discount): https://www.thetruthdoctor.com/offers/H248cT6e?coupon_code=HFPOD
Annual Membership (12 months w/ discount): https://www.thetruthdoctor.com/offers/UZ7eFo3X?coupon_code=HFPOD
#mentalhealth #community #borderlinepersonalitydisorder
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/humanfirstwithdrcourtney/message -
BPD vs. ADHD vs. Autism: "Look beneath the labels”
(cw: suicidality, abuse) Join Dr. Courtney Tracy, aka The Truth Doctor, a licensed psychotherapist and doctor of clinical psychology, as she compares the three diagnoses she's been clinically given over the last ten years as a client. Dr. Courtney discusses what the research says about the relationship between these mental health conditions and more specifically, how autism and BPD may show up through the lens of Borderline Personality Disorder DSM criteria. We think this episode could help people who have borderline personality, autism, ADHD, and/or simply have multiple diagnoses. We'd love to hear from you via screenshots on social media by tagging us at @the.truth.doctor and @truthdoctormedia. Thank you, and enjoy.
The main message of the episode: The most important part of getting a diagnosis is looking beneath the labels and seeing the human being.
Follow Dr. Courtney on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @the.truth.doctor.
Learn more about Truth Doctor Media at thetruthdoctor.com.
LISTEN TO EPISODES ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS!
Timestamps:
00:00 - 03:06 - Intro and Receiving multiple mental health diagnoses
03:07 - 06:01 - Autism Spectrum Conditions and mental health diagnoses vs. symptoms
06:02 - 06:45 - Overview of BPD, ADHD, and Autism
06:46 - 07:17 - The biggest overlap between the disorders: Emotional dysregulation and Impulsivity
07:18 - 09:20 - 2018 study on BPD and Autism, autistic traits, and empathy
09:21 - 10:43 - Increased suicidality and risk of sexual and physical abuse with multiple diagnoses
10:44 - 15:09 - Co-occurring disorders and prevalence - ADHD, ASD, and BPD - and also CPTSD
15:10 - 18:40 - Causes and how to prevent BPD or other traumatic behaviors
18:41 - 19:44 - Treatments for Borderline Personality, ADHD, and Autistic Spectrum Disorder
19:45 - 22:41 - Not all mental health symptoms are a result of trauma
22:41 - 26:23 - BPD criteria 1 and 2 vs. Autistic symptoms: unstable relationships & fear of abandonment
26:24 - 28:48 - BPD criteria 3 and 7 vs. Autistic symptoms: identity disturbance & feelings of emptiness
28:49 - 31:45 - DSM BPD criteria 4 vs. Autistic symptoms: Self-damaging impulsivity
31:46 - 33:15 - DSM BPD criteria 5 vs. Autistic symptoms: Self-harm/suicidality & self-mutiliation
33:16 - 35:17 - DSM BPD criteria 6 and 8 vs. Autistic symptoms: Affective instability & uncontrolled anger
35:18 - 36:39 - DSM BPD criteria 9 vs. Autistic symptoms: Transient stress-related paranoid or dissociative symptoms
36:40 - 38:00 - Rejection sensitivity in all three disorders
38:01 - 39:29 - Outro and "so glad you exist"
2018 Study about Autism Spectrum "Conditions": https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0184447
#adhd #autism #borderlinepersonalitydisorder
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A Therapist's Late Diagnosis of Autism: "Oh so you're not just a b*tch?"
(cw: suicidality) Join Dr. Courtney Tracy as she reviews the last two years of her life. Dr. Courtney and her husband, Max, discuss major life changes, new neurodivergent diagnoses, a traumatic pregnancy, and their renewed relationship. We think this episode could help people who have borderline personality, autism, a traumatic history, and/or are in a relationship where mental health is a daily conversation. We'd love to hear from you via screenshots on social media by tagging us at @the.truth.doctor and @truthdoctormedia. Thank you and enjoy.
The main message of the episode: The more you understand yourself and others, the better your relationships become.
Follow Dr. Courtney on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @the.truth.doctor. Learn more about Truth Doctor Media at thetruthdoctor.com.
WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE at youtube.com/@humanfirstpod
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/humanfirstwithdrcourtney/message -
Dr. Kristen Casey: The Truth About Sleep and Your Mental Health
In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, LAST EPISODE OF THE YEAR. Dr. Kristen Casey is clinical psychologist, author, and content creator. She’s the founder and owner of a private practice and consultation company. Prior to her psychology career, she was an EMT for 5 years. Her clinical training focused on health psychology, which sparked her interest in sleep, anxiety, and dedication to utilizing modalities that are rooted in science and research. Dr. Casey is most known on social media for providing mental health and wellness content about insomnia, anxiety, and gender/sexuality concerns.
Episode Description and Show Notes:
In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney discusses:
Kristen describes herself as a partner, dog mom, connective, and knows all the presidents in order.
Kristen’s why for being in the mental health field starts with her career in the ambulance field
Defining what sleep is and what our brains do during sleep
There are over 70 sleep disorders
Answering the question “how much sleep should people get?” and what brain waves are present during sleep?
Awakenings are normal, the most “normal” sleeper has about 2 awakenings per night
People of color, veterans, and women tend to have more trouble sleeping
She specialized in sleep by accident, and ended up falling in love with it.
If your soul is tired, sleep won’t fix your problem. Privilege plays a huge role in sleeping habits.
One tip is waking up at the same time everyday can be really helpful for sleep regulation
“Nobody’s ever going to take you seriously” and other stigmatizing moments for being a therapist with tattoos
Sometimes the best thing you learn from clients is the opposite of what you learn in school
The nuances of cultural competency and knowing lived experience is completely different
Her purpose in life is to learn as much as she can and connect with people
Most common themes when it comes to having insomnia and how likely we are to get it.
Being able to rest and being able to sleep is a privilege, and your working on your souls energy is key to better sleep
You can find Dr. Kristen Casey online at:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/drkristencasey/?hl=en
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAlbIjiVbZ-IzaFN-3FDRWg
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drkristencasey
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drkristencasey
Learn more about Kristen's offerings at: https://www.drkristencasey.com/
Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings:
Instagram: @the.truth.doctor
TikTok: @the.truth.doctor
Twitter: @_thetruthdoctor
Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show
Healing texts: USA & Canada (424) 228-9525
Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com
This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/humanfirstwithdrcourtney/message -
Elyce Mandich: The Truth About Suicide, Loss, and Trauma
In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, we get deep. This episode is about personal loss and suicidality overall so here is your content notice. I am a therapist, a social worker, a wife, a mom, a relatable human, and so much more. Mental health is extremely important to me because I’ve been there. Maybe not in your shoes, but I have been through some really difficult times, and if I can’t relate, chances are I can empathize. Shoutout to my trauma. When I was 10-years-old I lost my mom to suicide and unfortunately, during that experience I saw first hand how stigmatized suicide and mental health challenges can be. So here I am now, adulting like no other, with a passion to break stigmas around mental health and support others along their journey towards personal growth.
SUICIDE HOTLINE: TEXT OR CALL 988 (https://988lifeline.org/)
In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney discusses:
Elyce describes herself as a mom to two small kids, a soccer player, and someone who considers herself weird and awkward
When Elyce was 10 she lost her mom to suicide, and she feels the universe was one of the reasons her path included social work
Elyce helps define in her words suicide, loss, and trauma for the HUMAN first listeners
Over 700,000 people die by suicide annually in the world, double than homicide
From her mom’s suicide to now, we have more information on what to look for and how to help
When Elyce’s mom was a good mom, but struggled with her own traumas even though she didn’t look like it.
She describes when she found out about her mom’s suicide and how everything unfolded for her that day
Elyce believes in a ‘one more day’ meaning maybe if we can prevent someone from acting on their desire for one more day we can help them find the help they need even if it’s just in the moment
Her church community stigmatized her mother and those words hurt deeply a young Elyce
Describing the little moments and little ways her mother’s absence has showed up for her in her life
Elyce describes her time in child welfare and how working with suicidal parents had affected her
The area Elyce is most dedicated to is sitting with someone in there pain and establishing relationships to help them through
The balance between the ethical guidelines and clinical discretion of helping clients
The reasons worth living inventory can be incredibly helpful in those tunnel vision moments
Having constant suicidal thoughts shouldn’t be normal, you deserve to receive help and live in peace mentally
Elyce hopes that this conversation gives someone a little more comfort in asking or reaching out for help
You can find Elyce Mandich online at:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thatrelatablesocialworker/?hl=en
Learn more about Elyce's offerings at: https://www.bigempathytherapy.org/
Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings:
Instagram: @the.truth.doctor
TikTok: @the.truth.doctor
Twitter: @_thetruthdoctor
Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show
Healing texts: USA & Canada (424) 228-9525
Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com
This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/humanfirstwithdrcourtney/message -
Dr. Sami Pieknik and David Meer: The Truth About Affirming Neurodivergent Mental Health Care
In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Our guests are two of the most fun people I’ve had the chance of interviewing: Dr. Sami and David! This episode is all about being neurodivergent. David Meer is a licensed professional counselor located in Scottsdale, Arizona. David has over a decade of experience and provides workshops and consultation services to corporate clients and schools in the Phoenix Metro area. Dr. Sami Pieknik is a licensed clinical psychologist in Phoenix, Arizona providing individual therapy to children, teens, and young adults. Dr. Sami has 12 years of experience working to support neurodivergent individuals.She has a background in psychological/neuropsychological assessment, autism assessment, and in working with neurodivergent folks across the lifespan and in a variety of settings including inpatient residential, home-based therapies, community mental health, and in private practice.
Episode Description and Show Notes:
In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney discusses:
Sami describes herself as an adult toy collector, musician, and cat person. David describes himself as an empathetic father of two girls.
Sami and David connected on Linkedin and realized there’s a huge shortage of therapists who specialize in neurodiversity
They both feel a responsibility to speak up because it’s easy to stay silent
You have to be careful with what you share about yourself because the stigma against neurodiversity exists even in the mental health space
Sami and David define neurodiversity and affirming in a mental health capacity
Judy Singer first coined the term “neurodiversity” in Australia
Neurodiversity is a biological fact, not an opinion
Neurotypical is considered what society deems “normal” whereas Neurodivergent deviates from what society deems “normal”
Some people meet what challenges what they were taught with defenses
We expect the same behavior for all children just because they are around the same age, yet most of the structures we place around them are arbitrary like sitting still
There are so many different ways people present and the “average” person doesn’t exist
Autistic burnout and trauma is real and underlooked
What kind of levels of support are you providing your neurodivergent clients, peers, or friends?
The double empathy problem: What is it and How do we see it in neurodivergent people?
Seeing people for their whole being, not over generalizing, and listening is the key to affirming neurodivergent people.
You can find Dr. Sami and David online at:
Website: https://www.neurodiversecounseling.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/neuro.pier/?hl=en
Sami IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sami.p/?hl=en
Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings:
Instagram: @the.truth.doctor
TikTok: @the.truth.doctor
Twitter: @_thetruthdoctor
Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show
Healing texts: USA & Canada (424) 228-9525
Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com
This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/humanfirstwithdrcourtney/message
Customer Reviews
I love this podcast!
So happy season 4 is here. I can’t wait to learn more about Dr.C and myself through her lessons. I’ve been missing this!!
Therapy with Dana
As a therapist, I absolutely love and adore listening to all the inspiration and wisdom that you get from these episodes. Such great guests and topics. Always gets me thinking and I learn so much. Easy listen, it doesn't feel like it's hard to get through. I can listen to these episodes when im at the beach or out for a walk. So so so so so inspiring!! Check out some of the episodes if you haven't, you won't be disappointed!!!
amazing
love listening and then sending to my mom and sisters! we are all trying to have healthier relationships with ourselves and each other, thank you