Ep. 15 Breaking Barriers: Empowering Therapy in Diverse Communities
Welcome to Discover Solutions, Feel Better Episode 15.
Join me for an uplifting conversation with my esteemed colleague, Dawn Kennedy, a psychologist renowned for her holistic therapy approach, tailored to serve diverse communities. Dawn brings to light her innovative methodology, which emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of individuals' lives, encompassing not only mental and emotional well-being but also cultural, physical, and social dimensions.
Throughout our chat, Dawn shares captivating personal stories, providing valuable insights into her transformative career journey—from a science-centric background, the military, then graduate school for psychology. We discuss the profound significance of embracing change and embracing multifaceted identities in the pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment.
Drawing from her rich experiences in the military, Dawn delves into the nuanced challenges encountered by veterans transitioning to civilian life, underscoring the pivotal role of empathy and understanding in fostering effective support networks. Additionally, she passionately advocates for the empowerment of marginalized communities, with a particular focus on creating safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals to explore their identities free from judgment.
Dawn also tackles the importance of addressing sensitive topics such as religion, spirituality, and atheism in therapy, championing transparent and candid communication between therapists and clients. We discuss the principle of client empowerment, encouraging individuals to assert themselves and actively engage in their therapeutic journeys as the true experts of their own lives.
Until next time, be well, be you, and breathe 🙂
And be sure to subscribe and tell a friend!
Follow on social media: @Dr.TheresaLewis on Instagram. We can also be reached at podcast@drtheresalewis.com
Dawn can be reached at: www.wakepsychology.com
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A Little Solution: To Freeze or Not to Freeze
Welcome to the debut of A Little Solution, a new segment of the Discover Solutions, Feel Better podcast dedicated to providing quick, impactful advice for navigating life's challenges. Drawing inspiration from Gretchen Rubin's 'A Little Happier' podcast segment, each episode of this series will offer bite-sized insights and solutions to help you thrive in your everyday life.
In today’s episode, I share a story about a friend facing a dilemma while walking with a colleague who had mobility issues. Picture this: he’s traipsing through the icy tundra of Minnesota with a colleague who's moving at a snail's pace due to a bum hip. My friend is torn between chivalry and frostbite, wondering if he should sprint ahead or stay frosty. Tough call, right? But here's the twist: instead of sweating the gender norms or playing the hero, I offer a simple solution—let your values be your compass. Who says kindness has a speed limit or a gender? So, I gently suggested to my friend, "Hey, why not let your heart lead the way?" And you know what? It's like a light bulb moment! So, next time you're caught in a chilly conundrum, remember: it's not about racing to the finish line; it's about staying true to what matters most, even if it means taking a slower stroll through the snow.
Be sure to subscribe for more insights into the little things that make a big difference in our lives :)
Until next time, be well, be you, and breathe :)
Follow on social media: @Dr.TheresaLewis on Instagram.
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Ep. 14: EmpowerHer: Unpacking the Journey to Personal Empowerment
In this episode, Dr. States and I continue our conversation exploring the theme of personal power and self-discovery. The discussion delves into a pivotal moment in my life where I grappled with the concept of personal power. The conversation unfolds to discuss the factors contributing to this hesitation, touching upon societal expectations, racial dynamics, and self-perception. Dr. States offers insightful commentary, emphasizing the importance of women supporting and uplifting one another.
We draw parallels between personal power and the ability to make choices, and I highlight the transformative potential of recognizing and embracing one's power, even in uncomfortable situations. I offer some reflections questions for you to contemplate your own experiences with power and to consider the impact of societal expectations. I hope this episode serves as a source of inspiration for navigating the journey towards authenticity and personal empowerment.
Until next time, be well, be you, and breathe 🙂
Follow on social media: @Dr.TheresaLewis on Instagram. DM to ask questions or share topics you’d like us to cover. We can also be reached at podcast@drtheresalewis.com
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Ep. 13: EmpowerHer: A Journey From Conformity to Liberation
In this thought-provoking episode, my friend and fellow psychologist, Dr. Julie States and I engage in a candid conversation about the complex dynamics of power, especially concerning women in society. We explore societal attitudes towards powerful women and how these perceptions often come with negative stereotypes. Julie shares her personal journey, revealing how societal expectations led her to suppress a significant aspect of her identity. We dive into the challenges women face in balancing societal norms, career aspirations, and personal desires. We highlight the importance of self-reflection, awareness, and the journey towards authentic empowerment. Join us as we discuss breaking free from societal constraints and embracing one's true self in the pursuit of personal power.
Until next time, be well, be you, and breathe 🙂
Follow on social media: @Dr.TheresaLewis on Instagram. DM to ask questions or share topics you’d like us to cover. We can also be reached at podcast@drtheresalewis.com
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Ep. 12: Getting Unstuck: A Journey to Unleash Your Inner Power
Welcome to Discover Solutions, Feel Better Episode 12.
In this episode, I continue my journey sharing the transformative process I underwent to get unstuck and tap into my inner power.
I quickly revisit the Six Foundations of Psychological Health and Wellness: Awareness, Love, Relaxation, Nutrition, Sleep, and Movement. Beyond these foundations, we delve into profound aspects of life, exploring power, purpose, pleasure, and wisdom. I teach a meditation practice inspired by my spiritual teacher. This practice profoundly impacts mental clarity and emotional well-being, while fostering a deeper understanding of oneself. We learn that our mind is a vast kingdom - take the time to explore it!
Join me on this journey of self-discovery and embrace the transformative power of meditation. When you try the meditation practice, I'd love to hear your thoughts and answer your questions.
Subscribe to Discover Solutions, Feel Better for more transformative insights.
Until next time, be well, be you, and breathe 🙂
Follow on social media: @Dr.TheresaLewis on Instagram. To ask questions or share topics you’d like us to cover, we can also be reached at podcast@drtheresalewis.com
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Ep. 11: Getting Unstuck: Lessons in Self-Love and Acceptance
Welcome to Discover Solutions, Feel Better Episode 11.
Join me on this transformative journey as I share my experience of feeling stuck and my quest to find freedom and ultimately self-love. From overcoming negativity to embracing ease, navigating confusion to finding clarity, and conquering fear to live a life rooted in love.
This heartfelt adventure is not just mine—it’s an invitation for you to find inspiration and support on your own path. Let’s embark together on the journey of Discovering Solutions and Feeling Better. ❤️
Until next time, be well, be you, and breathe 🙂
Follow on social media: @Dr.TheresaLewis on Instagram. DM to ask questions or share topics you’d like us to cover. We can also be reached at podcast@drtheresalewis.com
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Ep. 10 Fulfillment Through Power, Purpose, Pleasure and Wisdom
Welcome back to the Discover Solutions, Feel Better podcast! I'm thrilled to announce the reboot of our show, where we dive into diverse health and wellness topics. In this episode, I highlight the significance of embracing your personal power, understanding your life's purpose, navigating pleasure without guilt, and tapping into the wisdom within. We'll also be featuring guests in future episodes and introducing video content to enhance your podcast experience.
Let’s journey together towards a healthier and happier life as we Discover Solutions, Feel Better! Follow on social media: @Dr.TheresaLewis on Instagram
Watch the video of this podcast on:
Amazon Fire TV and ROKU!
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Ep 9: Four Ways to Stay Calmer and Happier while Staying Home (Pandemic Edition)
Feeling overwhelmed, disconnected and fearful is to be expected and completely normal during this time of COVID-19. We are getting messages from every direction about what to do during this health crisis and I do hope you are all healthy and staying safe. Many of our reactions are completely normal and I wanted to reach out and connect with you through all of the chaos to remind you to care for yourself compassionately. In this episode, my producer and I talk about the unique challenges surrounding this new stay-at-home life. Most everything has changed and we are all grieving during this time, but it is important to remember that we are resilient, creative and resourceful. It is a key time to focus on the 6 foundations of psychological health and wellness to strengthen our mind and body. And to stay sane while staying at home, I talk about four ways to manage anxiety to be calmer and happier for yourself and others. Feel free to comment or email your episode topic requests.
Thanks for listening! Be well, be you and breathe.
Useful links to support your psychological health and wellness:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html https://www.nami.org/getattachment/About-NAMI/NAMI-News/2020/NAMI-Updates-on-the-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Updated-Guide-1.pdf
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theresa-lewis9/messageEp 8: Don't Let Stigma Stop You
Welcome back to Discover Solutions, Feel Better Podcast. I’m your host Dr. Theresa Lewis.
Today I'm here with our intern Malin, a graduate student studying psychology, and we're talking about recognizing the stigma surrounding mental health care so we can work to eliminate it in ourselves and in our communities.
Caring for our minds and bodies is usually seen in a positive light, but in some cases, people may judge themselves or discriminate against others who are receiving mental health care. Importantly, these stigmas are more pronounced within and toward racial minority populations. We hope to increase awareness of stigmas against mental illness that is happening both within health treatment programs, our public, and even within ourselves. We then ask the question – “what do we do now?”. We discuss steps we can take to eliminate stigma.
Openly talking about our psychological health is the first step toward reducing this societal issue
Don’t harbor self-stigma
Healthcare providers examine our own stigmas
Choose empowerment
Call it out
Be compassionate
Useful links on this topic:
https://nami.org/Support-Education/Mental-Health-Education
Feel free to comment or email your episode topic requests.
Thanks for listening! Be well, be you and breathe.
If you liked this episode, tell a friend, post a tweet and subscribe!
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Ep 7: Six Strategies for Making Exercise a Healthful Habit
Welcome to Discover Solutions, Feel Better Podcast. I’m your host Dr. Theresa Lewis. I’m a psychologist who’s passionate about helping people discover solutions and feel better, and I have so much to share with you to help you with your health and wellness goals.
In Episode 7 I will be giving you practical tips to help your exercise plan stick! Our bodies were made to move and we need to do just that. Spring has sprung so if you have been inactive during the winter, now is the best time to get moving - as exercise is the number one self-help tool to relieve anxiety, stress, and depression; and to help manage ADHD, and improve our cognitive abilities.
Exercise doesn't have to mean rigorous athletic exertion. You can find small ways to be more active throughout the day. Just like any good habit, you've got to come up with ways to build it into your life. In today's episode, I will review the following 6 strategies for making exercise a healthful habit.
Goal Setting
Bundling
Rainbow Thinking
Flexibility
Social influences
Bet on it
Most of all, I hope you motivate yourself with kindness and love rather than self-criticism. So give these strategies a try and let me know how it goes. You can do it.
I'll be back soon with more inspiration to help you Discover Solutions and Feel Better. Until then, be well, be you and breathe.
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Ep 6: Do You Have Trouble Sleeping? These Natural Methods Can Help
Welcome to Discover Solutions, Feel Better Podcast. I’m your host Dr. Theresa Lewis. I’m a psychologist who’s passionate about helping people feel better and I have so much to share with you to help you with your health and wellness goals. In Episode 6 I will be talking about the benefits of sleep. Long, restful restorative sleep is fundamental to our health and well-being. We know the benefits of getting good sleep include: Boosting our immunity Supporting our mental well-being Preventing diabetes Increasing our sex drive Warding off heart disease Yet, many of us struggle with getting good sleep. Have you ever had difficulty sleeping? You’re not alone! According to a recent Consumer Reports survey 27% of US adults said they have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep most nights and 68% struggle with sleep at least once a week. The good news is that the common problems that are associated with sleep disturbances like insomnia are often easily and naturally addressed. There are 3 incredibly helpful, non-drug treatments for insomnia which I’ll explain in detail in today’s episode. They are: Stimulus Control, Sleep Preparation, and Relaxation. Thanks for tuning in! Be well, be you, and breathe. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theresa-lewis9/message
Ep 5: How to Feed Your Brain to Feel Better
Welcome to Discover Solutions, Feel Better Podcast. I’m your host Dr. Theresa Lewis. I’m a psychologist who’s passionate about helping people feel better and I have so much to share with you to help you with your health and wellness goals.
On today’s episode I will be continuing my series discussing my Six Foundations of Psychological Health and Wellness that lay the groundwork for us to be our whole self and live the life that we want to live. These Six Foundations are: Awareness, Love, Food, Movement, Relaxation, and Sleep.
Today I will be talking about Food. We are now in the second month of the New Year and it is at this time that our resolutions can start to lose momentum. Since many New Year’s resolutions involve changing the way we eat, I thought this would be the perfect time to talk about the link between food and psychological health.
Here are some of the things I will cover in today’s episode:
The bigger picture and how our environment plays a role in our eating habits.
What are heavily processed foods and how are they keeping us from receiving adequate nutrition to thrive and feel our best?
Why do we often feel stuck in the rut of unhealthy eating patterns even when we know better?
The significance of food cravings and how they relate to the nature of our brains.
How specific nutrients in our food directly affect our mood.
I will also give you a tool and some tricks you can start using today to help support you on your path to healthful eating.
It is my hope that the information in this episode will help you understand more of what’s going on and how you can help yourself stay on track with healthful, sustainable eating.
I'll be back soon with more inspiration to help you Discover Solutions and Feel Better. Until then, be well, be you and breathe.
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Ep 4: Relaxation is Key
Welcome to Discover Solutions, Feel Better Podcast. I’m your host Dr. Theresa Lewis. I’m a psychologist who’s passionate about helping people feel better and I have so much to share with you to help you with your health and wellness goals. Today in Episode 4 my co-host Natalie and I discuss Relaxation as a Foundation of Psychological Heath and Wellness. We face stressors throughout the day and we rise to the occasion to manage the demands placed upon us. The question is: do we know how to come back from stress - come home to our true nature? Stress and anxiety can be eased with a good understanding of how to relax both your mind and your body. Good levels of relaxation can be achieved through resting, vacationing, and watching tv, and those things are great. My hope for today is that I also share with you some deeper, restorative relaxation techniques so you can reap the full benefits of relaxation. Thanks for tuning in. Be well, be you, and breathe :)
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Ep 3: You Deserve to Be Loved by You
Welcome to Discover Solutions, Feel Better Episode 3. I’m your host Dr. Theresa Lewis. I’m a psychologist who’s passionate about helping people feel better and I have so much to share that will help you with your health and wellness goals. Last week we talked about Awareness being the first pillar of psychological health and wellness so please feel free to go back and listen to Episode 2 first if you’d like a little more context for my topic today. In this episode I discuss Love as our next pillar of psychological health and wellness. With this new awareness of our thoughts and feelings will come some discomfort. It may be natural to seek ways to avoid that discomfort. Bringing in love for yourself, however, is the only way to ease and accept those painful feelings. Listen in to learn more. I'll be back soon to help you Discover Solutions and Feel Better. Until then, be well, be you and breathe. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theresa-lewis9/message
Ep 2: Awareness is Your Superpower
Welcome to Discover Solutions, Feel Better Episode 2. I’m your host Dr. Theresa Lewis. I’m a psychologist who’s passionate about helping people feel better and I have so much to share with you to help you with your health and wellness goals.
In this episode I discuss Awareness and how to channel your attention so that you can enjoy the benefits of working “in flow” and having truly rich relationships. Developing your awareness will enable you to be a better listener and to differentiate between effective and detrimental multitasking.
I also want to teach you about our human tendency toward negativity bias so that you can steer your awareness to resist this.
I'll be back soon with more guidance for you, focused on the second foundation - Love.
Until then, be well and be you!
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