In this session, we explore the emerging role of AI in our lives. It may surprise you to learn that the top use of AI chatbots is for therapy & companionship! We all have questions: is it safe, and can it provide real answers to questions about life better than humans can?

Learn about the different types of Artificial intelligence in simple to understand terms, and how we might just be using it more and more for all the wrong reasons. In demystifying AI, you will begin to examine the significance of the bond it may be forming with you through your interactions. Even though it is always on your side, it may not be helping in the ways you think it is.

Our inherent fears related to asking others difficult questions and sharing our concerns may be leading to discussions with machines as a normalized way of connecting. Like we should consider with any other technology, we examine if AI leaves you feeling inspired or supported; or should we be developing our human connections more instead? We might fear difficult conversations, but the experience of life that we need to grow counts on us pushing our emotional comfort zones. Machines are easier, but does AI really help you? We will discuss the best use of AI related to emotional needs and ask some great questions that you can explore yourself or with those around you. Check this episode out and learn about how staying “connected” may mean something different than you expect.

Dr. Brown holds a BA in Secondary Education/English, an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MPhil in Social & Behavioral Science and a PhD in Human Services with a Specialty in Public Health. She is a licensed Professional Counselor in the State of NJ.

This podcast is not a replacement for psychotherapy. If you are someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please seek the help of professionals.

*Episode 13 Trigger Warnings: Suicide

In this session, we talk about the insidious and surreptitious role of fear in our lives. It may surprise you to learn how fear just might be driving us in our day-to day lives and we may not even realize it! Ten percent of Americans have phobias, so we explore the ten most common phobias and explore whether or not you might have one.

Learn about how we develop our fears and why we hold on to them at a much higher level than we need to. Identify the primal fears you were born with and the ones you have picked up along the way. Your deep dark fears could be sending you messages that you may need to pay attention to or maybe even unlearn. We explore the concept of core fears and talk about how to identify yours. The fears you hold onto can cause avoidance, dysfunction and unnecessary pain and limitations in your life.

Explore what the doctor has come to understand about managing and reducing fear from her experience of examining the inner life of many patients through the years. What are you afraid of? Check this episode out and learn to live fearlessly!

Dr. Brown holds a BA in Secondary Education/English, an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MPhil in Social & Behavioral Science and a PhD in Human Services with a Specialty in Public Health. She is a licensed Professional Counselor in the State of NJ.

This podcast is not a replacement for psychotherapy. If you are someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please seek the help of professionals.

*Episode 12 Trigger Warnings: Trauma, Anxiety

In this session, we talk about the exciting world that is happening inside of you while you are sleeping. We explore the ten most common dreams and what they might actually mean. You might be surprised to hear that many of us are having the same dreams! Learn about how to interpret the meanings behind your dreams and nightmares and how these sleepy stories can be sending you messages that you might need to pay attention to.

We explore why we dream and discover why dreams and disrupted sleep can affect us so much in our waking lives. Statistics tell us that 95% of our dreams fade before we get out of bed: why is that? Let’s stop using pop psychology from the internet and learn the real truth about your dreams from Dr. Deborah, using biological, psychological, and neuroscience perspectives. Explore what the doctor has come to understand about dreams from her experience of examining the dreams of hundreds of patients over the years. Don’t sleep on this episode!

*Episode 11 Trigger Warnings: Trauma, Anxiety, Death, Frightening Situations

Statistics tell us that 75-80% of most of our thoughts are negative. If that’s you, you are haunting your own house! In this session, we explore why we over think and try to determine if you are having racing thoughts and rumination. We uncover the power of how our thoughts shape us, and how much those thoughts are shaped by our own selves versus others. Learn about how the 5 C’s (complaining, criticizing, concern, commiserating and catastrophizing) could be affecting you. You will understand the role of negative thoughts in our daily mental health and learn to reduce the thoughts that are actually hurting you and hindering your progress. When your head gets less noisy, there is more space for joy to grow!

Let’s remove the sense of powerlessness to which our own thoughts contribute. Are the thoughts you think on repeat even true? Don’t waste another minute or day or year searching through your head to identify with your fears. Come on, you got this! Stop haunting your own head and challenge your negative thoughts. Let’s lose the shame and grow the vision!

*Episode 10 Trigger Warnings: Domestic violence, negative thoughts

Our families should be where we find connection and happiness but also can often be the source of our trauma and stress. In this session, we explore how problems in our families of origin can lead to challenges in the families we create as adults. Find out if you are perpetuating negative family behaviors or if you are breaking free now as a grown-up! We will talk about the power of how our family shaped our emotional responses and how we manage conflict in our lives now. You will understand the role of family cohesiveness and family culture in our daily mental health. Learn skills related to how we can be better listeners and to give and accept feedback from our family.

As grown-ups, let’s remove the sense of powerlessness that our family can contribute to, and acknowledge that it may be because of the way we manage conflict. Does your family culture reflect your grown-up values? Don’t waste another minute or day or year waiting to match your family member’s expectations. Relationships are hard, and family relationships can be a real challenge. Come on, you got this! Stop compromising your values and create a family around you that reflects your values and encourages you to be YOU!

*Episode 9 Trigger Warnings: Neglect, Abuse

In this episode, we examine how what we really want is often out of reach, on the other side of when we deem ourselves good enough. We define what beauty really is and how the concept of attractiveness as relative to worth is a very destructive way of thinking. Find out if you believe the negative hype around you about your worth and what this might be costing you. Think about the power of validation and get a reminder that your value does not fluctuate based on what others think about you. Understand how body image can be very distorted and how this can affect your perspective every day if you don’t keep it in check.

It's time to understand that living a life focused on your lack of worthiness because of your looks or body can limit you. Stop perpetuating the negative messages from outside of you on yourself. Take back your inner voice and stop waiting until “someday when I am…” to live the life that you want. Don’t waste another minute or day or year waiting to be good enough. Come on, you got this! Let’s open our minds to embrace these emotions and heal. Your future self is rooting for you!

Dr. Brown holds a BA in Secondary Education/English, an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MPhil in Social & Behavioral Science and a PhD in Human Services with a Specialty in Public Health. She is a licensed Professional Counselor in the State of NJ.

This podcast is not a replacement for psychotherapy. If you are someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please seek the help of professionals.

*Episode 8 Trigger Warnings: Body Dysmorphia, Eating Disorders

In this episode, we examine some of the buzzwords people are using (often incorrectly) about relationships. We define what boundaries really are, explore what a “toxic relationship” is and isn’t, and how codependency can be affecting how you behave in your relationships. Learn how to identify your limits, and notice when you need to set boundaries. Find out if you are allowing people to step over your limits, or if you have a limit-pusher or two in your life that needs to learn about boundaries, too. Understand how to make boundaries work for you and why everyone needs them in healthy relationships of all types.

It's time to understand that living a life focusing on your very real needs is NOT selfish, and to learn about how to be self-oriented in your approach. Stop being an over-explaining, people pleasing approval-seeker afraid of rejection. Come on, you got this! Let’s open our minds to the changes that we may need to feel better, love more, and enjoy this one life!

Dr. Brown holds a BA in Secondary Education/English, an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MPhil in Social & Behavioral Science and a PhD in Human Services with a Specialty in Public Health. She is a licensed Professional Counselor in the State of NJ. This podcast is not a replacement for psychotherapy. If you are someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please seek the help of professionals.

*Episode 7 Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Cheating

In this episode, you will explore trauma and healing with Dr. Brown. You will learn about what trauma really is, and what it means to have PTSD. Dr. Brown will share the “Trauma 10,” a list of to do’s to get you moving on your healing journey. Hear about why trauma affects each of us so differently and how it can show up in unexpected ways in our lives.

Explore how unresolved trauma can invade our peace and our relationships now, even if something happened many years before. Explore how others have risen from trauma and how we all can rise when we get unstuck and begin to heal. Dr. Deborah will open your eyes and your mind to the possibilities within yourself when you begin to realize your own resilience. Share this one with someone you love who is trying to rise!

Dr. Brown holds a BA in Secondary Education/English, an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MPhil in Social & Behavioral Science and a PhD in Human Services with a Specialty in Public Health. She is a licensed Professional Counselor in the State of NJ.

This podcast is not a replacement for psychotherapy. If you are someone you know is struggling with mental illness, please seek the help of professionals.

*Episode 6 Trigger Warnings: Domestic Violence, Suicide, PTSD, Sexual Abuse