PsychTalk with DrVic

Have you ever felt like if you take one more step, you’ll break… The rubber band is stretched too far... you're squinting one eye and bracing for when it's going to snap back and bite you? What if there is nothing to point at yet you find yourself feeling maxed-out? Feeling maxed-out is a common experience that clients report in counseling. Today I’ll talk about what may be going on and why it is not necessarily related to maintaining life balance or negative stressors but can be caused by something else that we don’t usually watch for.CiteLännerholm, V. (Host). (2021, January). Maxed-OUT! (No. 2:1). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk with DrVic. https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss 

Sometimes I get a bit frustrated with the system and even how we buy into it… addiction “treatment” is no exception. If you have a loved one who is struggling and you’re ready to give up, I want to encourage you to look for a new approach or appropriateness with existing evidence-based practices. Sometimes the key piece is being overlooked. I believe there is always a way. and have seen different ways be effective. In this episode I share some concerns and what to look for when you are on the sidelines of someone’s addiction. Tough love is not always the answer...Addiction resources:https://www.apa.org/topics/addictionhttps://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addictionhttps://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helplineCITE:Lännerholm, V. (Host). (2020, October 19). The Addiction Box: Person or Drug? (No. 1:10 ). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk with DrVic. https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss 

Whether you are in the early part of adulthood and heading into the 20’s or 30’s… or reinventing yourself at age 60, “normal” is a concept we all share. You have your line of normal, I have mine, and others have theirs. Although we tend to think of it as “relative” there are some ground rules that may be helpful when we do run into the question of “is this normal”? There is also a danger zone that we must be aware of. In this episode I share some basics to consider when evaluating whether something is normal or not for you…CITATION:Lännerholm, V. (Host). (2020, September 29). Is It Normal? (No. 1:9). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk: Mental or Normal? https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss 

Ever stubbed your toe, been cut off in traffic, or been ghosted by a friend? In today’s episode we consider the question of "how we make decisions about how we feel emotionally?" by exploring the psychological concept of "appraisal".CITE this episode:Lännerholm, V. (Host). (2020, September 12). The bad nut (No. 1:8). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk with DrVic. https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss 

Ever feel frustrated? Stupid question right?! Of course you have, we all have! Especially right now. So, how do frustrations work? And, what can we do about them?In today’s episode I take a look at some of the operational components of “frustration” and setting a plan to address them…CITE this episode:Lännerholm, V. (Host). (2020, August 22). Navigating “frustrations” (No. 1:7). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk with DrVic. https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss 

There is a big difference between being in a bad relationship and an abusive one, especially a violent one. Some states draw the line at physical abuse and do not recognize and validate emotional and psychological abuse. In some cases, this forces the person faced with the abuse to wait until it reaches intolerable and dangerous levels. It can also be many years before the person realizes that the abuse crosses a boundary. That it is NOT ok. Being in a toxic relationship is not always straight forward. In the last episode we discussed two factors that can predispose us to these types of relationships. The biggest problem is that psychological and emotional abuse can violate boundaries by breaking them down. It conditions the person being abused to believe it is normal. It can compromise knowledge of what is right or wrong, and even withhold basic human needs. It is especially harsh when it becomes the tools of manipulation to control for personal gain. In today’s podcast I focus on one specific stage in a relationship when a person becomes aware that how they are being treated is a problem. The website I mention is: https://www.thehotline.org/CITE this episode:Lännerholm, V. (Host). (2020, August 16). Domestic boundaries: Relationship horrors (No. 1:6). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk with DrVic. https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss 

The way our internal alarm system is designed can leave us a bit short-changed for being able to recognize and address threats in today’s world. For women that can be especially true due to socio-cultural factors that develop our internal compass. On top of that throw in dynamics of novelty, excitement, and neurobiological forces at the start of relationships and it can be a perfect storm. So, where are the boundaries and what are the red flags to look for between healthy and unhealthy intimate partner relationships? Especially in the early stages of a relationship when we tend to dismiss some of the bad stuff… In this episode that’s exactly what we explore. Additional resources: TheHotline.orgCITE this episode:Lännerholm, V. (Host). (2020, August 16). Domestic boundaries: Relationship redflags (No. 1:5). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk with DrVic. https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss 

Ever wonder if someone did something intentionally or not? Do you find yourself judging yourself or others? Ever make assumptions where it turned out you were wrong? Ever stepped on Legos? … In this episode I talk about attributions and how we can develop a correspondence bias or use attribution errors when comparing what we do vs when someone else does the same thing. I explore how biases develop, some of the dangers, and how to take a new approach. CITE this episode:Lännerholm, V. (Host). (2020, August 8). Psychological terminology: Attribution errors (No. 1:4). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk with DrVic. https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss 

Why don’t we always do the right thing for ourselves? We can take care of a pet, a car, our golf-clubs, decorate a home, but when it comes to even the most fundamental things to make sure we’ve got what we need. That life balance, we battle it out and compromise.  In this episode of PsychTalk I talk about the complexities of adulting and self-care. I walk you through five mindsets that can keep you from being good to yourself and doing the right thing to take care of YOU!CITE this episode:Lännerholm, V. (Host). (2020, August 8). Adulting & self-care (No. 1:3). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk with DrVic. https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss 

“Understanding” – It’s a word that we often make assumptions about when we hear someone say it, or think it to ourselves. In today’s episode we explore the ins and outs of knowledge and how understanding can play out in relationships, communication, how to avoid misunderstanding, and whether we can move forward without understanding. If you are looking for understanding, don't understand, or don't feel understood, you may want to take a listen!CITE this episode:Lännerholm, V. (Host). (2020, August 7 ). What we really want is understanding (No. 1:2). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk with DrVic. https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss 

Welcome to PsychTalk! In this episode I share information about what to expect when listening to PsychTalk and what it is, including:My passion for information and understanding why we do what we doSome challenges in our current approach to mental healthThe three main topics covered in PsychTalkMy unique perspective on mental healthThe origins of PsychTalkWays that this podcast can serve youCITE this episode: Lännerholm, V. (Host). (2020, August 3). PsychTalk - brief intro & disclaimer (No.1:1). [Audio podcast episode]. In PsychTalk with DrVic. https://drvic.org/psychtalk-w-drvic/ or https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1111583.rss