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

Matt talks with Harrison Koehli, editor of the second edition of Andrew Lobaczewski's "Political Ponerology: The Science of Evil, Psychopathy, and the Origins of Totalitarianism". Harrison has studied psychopathy, particularly in the political realm - a topic that has been overshadowed by more popular notions of psychopathy. You can find Harrison on Substack https://ponerology.substack.com/ where he writes about political ponerology, and on X https://x.com/RainDogBone  You can find us at https://thescienceofpsychotherapy.com/

Matt and Richard talk about protocols vs deep and broad knowledge for therapists.  Mentioned in this episode: Brainstorm - the film about bipolar: https://brainstormthefilm.com/world-bipolar-day-screening/ Matt's book on the left-hemisphere: https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/products/digital_downloads/new-digital-download Course that touches on the consistency principle: https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/basic-principles-of-mental-functioning Content about 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 For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

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

Matt & Richard talk about the state of propaganda techniques today in a digital world that caters to our left hemisphere mode of perception.  Find Matt's paper as a course here (for subscribers, otherwise wait for it to come out in our next magazine) - https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/propaganda-techniques For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

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

In this conversation, psychotherapist Sophia Vale Galano joins Richard Hill to discuss her book Calming Teenage Anxiety: A Parent's Guide. Galano shares insights from her clinical work with teens and parents, explaining how anxiety manifests in adolescents today amid modern pressures such as social media, academic stress, and rapid cultural change. She offers practical strategies for parents—emphasizing active listening over "fixing," self-awareness, modeling emotional regulation, and fostering open, nonjudgmental communication. The discussion explores cultural factors, the parent–teen feedback loop of anxiety, and holistic support options including therapy, boundaries, self-care, and mind–body practices like yoga. For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

Join Richard Hill in conversation with Nevin Harper and Will Dobud as they explore their new book Kids These Days. The discussion covers the challenges facing today's young people, how adults can better understand youth behavior, and the role of outdoor and experiential therapies in helping young people thrive. For more about the book go to https://www.kidsthesedaysbook.com/

Jessica Dibb, author of the Norton book "Breathwork and Psychotherapy," shares her personal journey and professional work with breathwork and consciousness healing. Jessica discusses the therapeutic benefits and practical applications of breathwork, including its role in psychological healing, emotional regulation, and physical conditioning, while highlighting how modern society's stress has led to increased interest in breathwork practices. For more go to http://wwnorton.com/breath Find Jessica at https://www.inspirationcommunity.org For professional therapists go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net for more great content, magazine, courses and videos. 

Ana Gomez talks about her new book EMDR-Sandtray-based Therapy: Healing Complex Trauma and Dissociation Across the Lifespan and her work and philosophy. You can find out more about Ana at anagomez.org For the professional therapist, go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/ for articles and course material.

Richard and Niall discussed Niall's book on experiential therapy for treating trauma, which outlines 15 different therapeutic approaches and their applications. They explored the value and criteria of experiential therapies, emphasizing the importance of engaging the emotional brain through various prompts and techniques. The conversation concluded with plans for a webinar series based on the book, covering different therapeutic approaches over 15 months, along with promotional offers and continuing education opportunities for practitioners. Niall also offers a 15% discount on the webinar series using the code "SOP15" and a 30% discount on the book through Routledge Press, available on the website experiential-psychotherapies.com.

Today Richard Hill talks to Melanie Weller about the body, time, and mental well being. To find out more about Melanie go to https://www.melanieweller.com/ For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

Richard Hill catches up once again with Michael Alcee to talk about Michael's new book "The Upside of OCD: flip the script to reclaim your life" You can find more on Michael and his book at https://michaelalcee.com/ For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net

For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net Find out more about Ross Ellenhorn here https://www.ellenhorn.com/ross/

This interview features Richard Hill speaking with Dr. Chris Aiken, a psychiatrist and expert on mood disorders, with a special focus on bipolar disorder. Dr. Aiken discusses his work and his co-authored book with Dr. Jim Phelps, providing valuable insights into the complexities of treating bipolar disorder. SoP members, listen to this podcast as a certificate course here https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net/courses/chris-aiken

For more about Rita and her work, go to https://www.princiconsulting.com.au/ and https://www.in-ed.com.au/ For professionals go to https://www.thescienceofpsychotherapy.net