OTR - Achieving Mental Health for Real

In this episode we talk with a special guest. Her name is Phyllis E. Leavitt, and she is a psychotherapist with over 30 years of working extensively with individual and family dysfunction and abuse. We talk about what’s in her new book called “America in Therapy: A New Approach to Hope and Healing For A Nation In Crisis”, in which she talks about the urgency to bring our whole country to therapy i...

In this episode i speak with Kattie Lail, who works on the coaching team for a nonprofit organization called Face It Together. Face it Together provides personalized, nonjudgmental peer coaching for those impacted by addiction, including loved ones. Don't miss the streaming of our next episode "America in Therapy" on Christmas Day all day on a loop live on the OTR YouTube channel at https://www.yo...

My guest is Amanda Blackwood. She is a survivor of human trafficking who is now an accomplished artist and author, public speaker, podcast host, and trauma recovery mentor. Despite the numerous challenges she faced, she was able to emerge stronger with the help of her faith. Amanda has shared her story on various platforms such as international summits and radio programs and has published over a d...

My guest is Dr. Leslie Dobson. She is a forensic and clinical psychologist who has worked in very dangerous environments throughout the years. Dr. Dobson has spent over 20 years in the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders in individual and group therapy, and criminal and civil law. She now has a private practice, using her education and training from working in a prison, a state men...

Come with me as I chat with Suzanne Jean Director of Fit4Defense who conceived and now operates PowerED, a holistic life program that inspires confidence in participants to be heard, safe in the community and free from abuse through assertive communication and self-defense. The life-changing transformations she witnessed while teaching PowerED inspired her to write her powerful book, “Bullying Sto...

Today I speak with Michelle Shekhinah author of the book “From the Floor to the Door”. This is the first in a series about domestic violence which is a big problem that goes silent when a person Is trapped and dependent in a relationship. In 1997, Michelle married who she thought was her fairytale, knight in shining armor. After having a successful business and 2 children, she was a stay-at-home M...

In this episode I speak with Elle O'Flaherty about the many issues of ADHD. Ellie talks about ADHDer’s need for fun and gives a lot of great advice on how to make the life of a person with ADHD easier and how we can come to terms with the issue. She talks about practical actions you can take to lighten the load. Find out what happens to people that reveal their ADHD to their employer. Elle O’Flahe...

This may be the most important episode of the series. Find out about Ketamine treatment and how safe it is. What is it like to go through a Ketamine treatment. What are the dangers to look out for in the many websites that promise treatment remotely, is that safe? These treatments could have rare side effects. Dr Theodore A. Henderson MD, PhD is president and founder of Neuro-Luminance Inc, which...

Sometimes depression can be treated with a holistic approach. Today I would like to introduce you to an innovative way to do just that. My guest today is Dashama Morgan. She is an award winning, internationally known Author, Joy ologist, Yoga Teacher, and creator of bestselling online courses, the global 30-Day Yoga Challenge, multiple books and 33 Yoga DVDs. She founded the Flow State Institute (...

This is a special episode that examines the untruth - lies. We look at how lies are so prevalent, especially in today’s world. And how they can distract you from the truth. I talk about my belief that truth = love = God. We examine each type of lie from a white lie to Justification. I believe that living truthfully with yourself and WITH others can help your mental health immensely. How the US is...

If alcohol has power over your life, get your life back. Join me as I talk to Crystal Fedeli who helps you on your road to recovery from alcohol addiction.  If you have not been able to stop cold turkey, then this episode is a must listen. Even though Crystal works with women, everyone can still benefit from the information in this episode. If alcohol is wreaking havoc in your life, find out:...

This is a must listen, we can’t let our children suffer needlessly when they need our help. There are unprecedented statistics on depression and anxiety, suicide and drug overdoses among our young children, parents need real ideas on how to stay in touch and connected to their children. Join me as I talk to Sue Horton who wrote the book "Raising a Resilient Family - How to Create Strong Connection...

Today’s guest is Susan Gold who suffered from the trauma of her childhood home.  She talks about her family in her book, “Toxic family – Transforming Childhood Trauma into Adult Freedom”.  I think her book would resonate with many people who suffer with PTSD caused by family dysfunctionality. Susan talks about how she remembers looking at a knife at six years old wondering if she could e...

I interviewed Natacha Marianczuk in the episode ADHD/ADD – The Silent Disability from October 18th, 2021. Today we talk more about the issues people with ADHD suffer and how it effects their relationships with friends and family. Natacha has ADHD and is taking medication which helps with the issue. But she says a good diet is essential. I think this is a important message to help educate the publi...

This episode is one of my favorite interviews. I talk to an amazing woman named Nicole Kerr. She wrote the book about her near-death experience (NDE) called “You Are Deathless: A Near-Death Experience Taught Me How to Fully Live and Not Fear Death”. Even if you don’t belief in life after death, the spiritual message expressed in this episode is powerful. The show runs a little long, but the time g...

Today we talk with Ann Hince who wrote the book Pathway to insight.  Ann talks about the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)or tapping and how it battles the beast inside at the Final layer. But this comes with the following warning. It is critical to comprehend the complexities of the approach; therefore, it is prudent to seek the assistance of a skilled therapist. It's also worth noting that...

Kitt O'Malley is an author, public speaker, mental health advocate, and former psychotherapist who lives with bipolar disorder Over the years, Kitt has struggled with bipolar, experiencing depression so deep that it was a living hell and mania so severe that she was psychotic. She was on the brink of suicide because of her Bi-Polar 1 depression. However, she had the awareness to ask for help and s...

Michael Scholtes suffers with major depression and anxiety. So, what is surprising about him. Well, he is also a Pastor of a Lutheran church. So how can a man of faith have depression? Depression can strike anyone anywhere. It doesn’t have favorites. Michael describes it as two voices that he hears constantly -- the "Dark Voice" of depression that tells him that he is worthless and horrible, and t...

This episode is packed with information about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). From its origins to present day thinking about the condition. There are answers to the important questions about the use of medication to treat ADHD. Does Medication work? And is it safe?  Come join Dr Walt Karniski MD whose new book is called " ADHD Medication: Does It Work and Is It Safe? ". Dr. K...

Meet Keith Harrison, a Police Officer in Canada that suffers from PTSD. He has the courage to tell his story as he’s still on his road to recovery, like many of us, which includes myself. Keith is a very brave person who has come out to try to save fellow tier responders (special people who respond to emergencies and crises and risk their own lives to help others). To prevent needless suffering du...

Come join me with my talk with  award-winning author doctor Margit Gabriele Muller who’s many roles include Certified Mental Health Coach, Master Life Coach, Professional Certified Coach, NLP Master, and Certified Mindfulness Practitioner.     We discuss the stigma surrounding mental health. Get your family members to listen to this episode, so they can understand you . Plus, a...

This is Part 2 of my discussion with guest Michaell Magrutsche on how to navigate in a system designed for neurotypical people. Michaell is dyslexic and had trouble at school. But he finds himself in art. We also talk about how ADHD people and other neurodiverse are able to cope in the current system of learning. For Michaell's PDF on how to handle dyslexia - The human way - please link to https:/...

Listen to the wisdom of my latest guest Michaell Magrutsche as we discuss how to navigate in a system designed for neurotypical people. Michaell is dyslexic and had trouble at school. But he finds himself in art. We also talk about how ADHD people and other neurodiverse are able to cope in the current system of learning. For Michaell's PDF on how to handle dyslexia - The human way - please link to...

This is a very informative episode about how to prepare and Travel with Neurodiverse children or teenagers which includes Autistic, ADHD, other mental issues or just someone who is restless about travel. I talk with Dawn Barclay who wrote the book Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse . I believe these techniques can be applied to...

What is it like to be dead? My guest today knows since he has been dead over 40 times. Yes, that's not a misprint. Join me as we look at this very unique recovery. Fred Rutma discusses his strange problem that he repeatedly died from over the years. Did he see the light or was it nothing when he was dead? Also, we discuss PTSD that he suffers from as well as intermittent fasting which he claims ha...