Mental Health News Radio

Julie Coons is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives in a small town in Oregon. She hopes to eventually travel the world while spreading the important message of ending the cycle of abuse. Visit juliecoons.com to learn more.How does a little girl survive an abusive mother, Catholic school, rape, and a near-death experience? Raised by an abusive, narcissistic mother (who once tried to trick her into having an abortion), Julie Coons was also raped in college by a stranger and later married an abusive man who threatened to kill her if she ever tried to leave. Suffering from physical and mental torment resulting in very low self-esteem, Julie often felt so completely alone during the many struggles of her life that she tried to take her own life. This book is her true story—telling all the secrets she was never allowed to tell to encourage and motivate others to heal their own lives and break the cycle of abuse. Her story shows that there is hope and life after abuse. Now that the secrets are finally out, Jul

Dr. Marlene Maheu will be presenting at the 18th Annual Behavioral Health Informatics Conference and Exposition where our CEO is moderating discussions and podcasting. Marlene M. Maheu, Ph.D. started delivering her first telehealth service in 1994. Donned the “telepsychology visionary” by former APA President Pat DeLeon, PhD, JD, MPH, she is a consultant, researcher, author, trainer and keynoter. Dr. Maheu has addressed more than 20,000 professionals interested in legal and ethical best practices related to telehealth and various technologies. She serves as the Executive Director of the Telebehavioral Health Institute, Inc., where she oversees the development and delivery of professional training in telebehavioral health via an eLearning platform that has served behavioral clinicians from more than 55 countries.For more than twenty years then, Dr. Maheu’s focus has been legal and ethical risk management related to the use of technologies to better serve behavioral health clients and patients. She has served o

Join the delightful and inspiring Rukshana Triem as she discusses her early life in a refugee camp in Mozambique and eventual path to America. Rukshana Triem is a former refugee and Immigrant from Mozambique. She came to the United States in the 1990s. After overcoming sexual abuse, she became an advocate for parents and childcare providers to support them on their healing journey. She is now the CEO of her women's coaching business, where she helps women overcome their rough pasts and create their desired beautiful lives through nature retreats and different online coaching programs and communities. Rukshana holds a B.S. in Human Development and has also worked as an early childhood teacher, trainer, mentor, and social worker. When she's not working, she's spending time with her family, volunteering, and taking women on outdoor adventures.https://www.facebook.com/womenslifestylecoaching

Jacklyn Murphy joins our host Kristin Walker to talk about her presentations for the Converge Autism conference with Springbrook Behavioral Health. Jacklyn Murphy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist that specializes in children and adolescents. Prior to her work as a therapist, Ms. Murphy taught in a Title 1 public elementary school for six years. Ms. Murphy worked for over three years as a therapist at SpringBrook Behavioral Health in the residential treatment facility. While at SpringBrook Ms. Murphy worked with patients that were diagnosed with a variety of mental health concerns, behavioral diagnoses, and developmental delays, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. In 2015 she completed a post-graduate certificate in “Evidence-Based and Empirically Informed Practices Addressing Problem Sexual Behavior in Youth” and frequently works with patients and clients that display sexually reactive behavior. In 2017 Ms. Murphy transitioned into a new role in which she created and implemented a therapeutic progr

As we join Springbrook Behavioral Health for their annual conference Converge Autism with our podcast it was important to interview Dr. Dave Vigerust, Chief Science Officer of MyGenetx. Our Program Director, Melanie Vann, is intimately familiar with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She and Dr. Vigerust discuss the latest research regarding genetics testing and how MyGenetx is playing a role in Autism Spectrum Disorder research.Dr. Vigerust is a strategic scientist, consultant, teacher, and inventor, particularly in the areas of infectious disease, oncology, genetics, pharmacogenetics (PGx) and immunology. Dr. Vigerust earned his BS degree from the University of Texas at El Paso in Biology and Chemistry, a MS degree in Immunology and Microbiology from Texas Tech University and his Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. He completed postdoctoral fellowships in infectious disease first at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and second at Vanderbilt University Medical

One of our hosts most compelling and personal shows. Dr. Ortman and Kristin Walker have a lively back and forth discussion about how anger can destroy the very fabric of your life. We live in the most aggressive society on the planet. The frequency of road rage, bullying, and violent crimes testifies to the intensity of our aggressive urges. For many, their anger becomes like a drug which energizes, numbs, and possesses them. They become like “rageholics” or “grudgeholics” who feel powerless over their hostile impulses.Modeled on the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, this book serves as a guide to help those possessed by anger to recover. Viewing your anger as an addiction, Dr. Dennis Ortman guides you through the time-tested Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous to find healing and growth. He shows how the Steps offer practical wisdom to use the natural energy of your anger wisely and well. The Steps provide guidance for your personal journey through your hostile moods so that you can discover your true self

Stephanie C. Holmes, MA, BCCC is a professional counselor and certified autism specialist, but her real credentials come from being the mother of an amazing Aspie (AS) teenage daughter.  Stephanie's career focus changed in 2004 when her eldest daughter was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (ASD). Her book Confessions of a Christian Counselor: How Infertility and Autism Grew my Faith was released in 2015. The book includes her personal story as well as an interview with Dr. Tony Attwood on spectrum teens. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D. and hopes to bridge the gap of mental health and the education system working with students on the autism spectrum.Stephanie C Holmes, MA BCCCCertified Autism Specialistwww.counselorstephanieholmes.comwww.convergeautism.comwww.mhnrnetwork.com

Gewanda Johnson Parker shares her remarkable story of survival suffering physical and emotional abuse by a mother who really did care about her but was overpowered by her own demons and addictions. Molested and raped on more than one occasion, by men considered upright and pillars in the community.  Yet through it all, her faith, spirituality and deep trust in God never wavered.  Her incredible resilience, allowed a young girl, turned woman, to forgive those who hurt her and to reach out to all those who hurt with a message of God’s love, healing, transformation and hope.Gewanda Johnson Parker is also the Founder and CEO of Hope and Healing Corporation serving the needs of the marginalized of society locally and abroad to orphanages in Haiti and Africa. In 2003, she started an organization to help young girls and teens suffering with self-esteem and identity issues. Parker received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Edward Waters College and she holds a Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary

Join Dr. Christina Finanick Greer and our host Kristin Sunanta Walker as they discuss their shared journey on the road of food addiction. Christina Fisanick Greer, Ph.D. is a writer, researcher, teacher, and motivational speaker. She has been teaching college English for over 20 years and is the author of more than 30 books. After suffering from food addiction for more than 28 years, she entered recovery and never looked back. She founded a Facebook group for other food addicts in recovery, OptimisticFoodAddict.com, and has written several books designed to help others battling this disease. For more information about Christina, see her website ChristinaFisanickGreer.com.

Erica Weinstein wants to live in a world where people move freely & in synchronicity with others, breathe mindfully, & learn from books & experiences.As a well-grounded psychotherapist, she’s been practicing with members of the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan community for 20 years. Her blog posts are featured on Visiting Angels Home Care’s & Maryland Addictions & Recovery Center’s websites.When she’s not challenging folks’ perspectives, stretching their imaginations, or calming their central nervous systems, you can find her extended in downward looking dog or melted in shavasana.Her most recent collaboration (currently in progress) is co-facilitating a pilot program for those working in high stress environments to ease vicarious trauma related symptoms.?Prior to launching her private practice, Erica was a school based mental health therapist at Patterson High School in Baltimore City, Maryland through employment with Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. She has also held positions as a C

One of our hosts great friends, Danielle Brewer, joins host Kristin Sunanta Walker to discuss her son's tragic battle with mental illness and substance use disorder. This is a very personal show but also transcendent and triumphant. Danielle advocates for those also struggling with family members in the throws of these issues. She also offers hope to everyone through the grieving process. An important show about the every day struggles families face when it comes to understanding and navigating their way through treatment, death, and the lives of those left behind after a loved one has passed on.www.mhnrnetwork.com

Join our host Kristin Sunanta Walker and cohost Helaina Hovitz, Journalist and Author of After 9/11: One Girl's Journey Through Darkness to a New Beginning as they interview the CEO of MevPMDD. Brett Buchert has created an incredible platform and app for anyone dealing with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Brett is the mind and heart behind Me v PMDD, a symptom tracking app for anyone fighting through Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) that arose from her own decade long struggle with the condition. Passionate about mental health, she received her degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and plans to pursue graduate school in Clinical Psychology to continue to advocate for the importance of mental health and fight for better treatments for PMDD Warriors. Brett is also a Peer Support Provider with the Gia Allemand Foundation for PMDD, a former college rower, active rock climber, and cat lover.  

Dawn Marie Westmoreland has always found her joy in inspiring, supporting, and empowering those who need it most. That joy has been reflected in her career and continues to be her driving force to this day. Dawn has also experienced workplace bullying and discrimination first-hand.  In 2012, Dawn reported her former government agency to the Office of Special Counsel and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for prohibited personnel practices and retaliation. As a result, her managers and co-workers turned on her, and she was subjected to two years of horrific workplace bullying and discrimination.These years wreaked havoc on Dawn’s mental and physical health, but she persevered. Holding her workplace bullies accountable, Dawn settled with her employer outside of court. Because of her knowledge of HR and leadership skills, she has no gag order to prevent her from sharing her story to empower others who look to her for help. This experience, as well as overcoming her personal history of abuse, has strengt

Dr. Jonice Webb has been interviewed on NPR and over thirty radio shows across the United States and Canada about the topic of her book, Emotional Neglect, and has been quoted as a psychologist expert in the Chicago Tribune. She writes the popular Childhood Emotional Neglect Blog on PsychCentral.com.Dr. Webb has been a licensed psychologist since 1991, and has worked in a variety of different settings over the course of her career, including a psychiatric emergency service and substance abuse programs.  She has been the Director of several large outpatient clinics.  For the past eight years, she has been enjoying her private practice in Lexington, Massachusetts, specializing in the treatment of couples and families.Over two decades of practicing psychology, Dr. Webb gradually started to see a factor from childhood which weighs upon people as adults.  This factor is extremely subtle.  In fact, it’s so difficult to see that it goes virtually unnoticed while it quietly saps a person’s joy in life, causing him or

Join some of our fantastic male podcasters and guests for another discussion on our Men & Anxiety series on the #METOO movement. Our host Kristin Sunanta Walker opens the discussion with some of her closest friends and colleagues to find out how men have been affected by what's going on in our society today. Joining the discussion are the following:Stephen Kavalkavich of www.rescuetherescuer.comJoseph Fusaro of www.hysteriaradio.netSam Webb of www.livin.orgJeff Fink of www.gofetchwellness.comRyan McCormick of Outer Limits of Inner TruthAnd host Kristin Walker of www.mentalhealthnewsradio.com

Join illustrator and author Debi Gliori and our host Kristin Walker for a deep yet funny discussion about depression.A groundbreaking picture book, Night Shift, on depression with stunning illustrations. With stunning black and white illustration and deceptively simple text, author and illustrator Debi Gliori examines how depression affects one's whole outlook upon life, and shows that there can be an escape - it may not be easy to find, but it is there. Drawn from Debi's own experiences and with a moving testimony at the end of the book explaining how depression has affected her and how she continues to cope, Debi hopes that by sharing her own experience she can help others who suffer from depression, and to find that subtle shift that will show the way out.Debi Gliori lives in Scotland. Debi is well known for both her picture books and her novels for children and has been shortlisted for all the major prizes, including the Kate Greenaway Award (twice) and the Scottish Arts Council Award. Debi was the Shetla

Dr. Michael Gurian has studied and served children for thirty years. In The Wonder of Girls (2002), he presented a science-based approach to raising healthy and successful daughters. In The Minds of Girls, he pioneers new and intuitive approaches to health and wellness in all three important areas of girls’ development: nature, nurture, and culture. As many girls struggle with digital and social complexities in our families and in our communities, this book is timely, powerful, and practical.Its nine chapters help you protect girls from environmental toxins and digital addiction; provide best practices for improving girls’ STEM learning and activating their leadership and resilience; explore leading edge science-based technologies for understanding female mental health, and may utterly change your approach to handling girl drama and bullying. The Minds of Girls combines accessible writing, passionate social advocacy, and more than one hundred practical strategies you can use right now to raise wise, happy, an

K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Game Informer. He is currently finishing his second graphic novel, Cloud Stories, which will be released in 2015. Follow him on Twitter @kthorjensen.He joins Melanie Vann to discuss caregiver burnout, diabetes, and his journey with mental health struggles. 

During a visit to Florence Italy we met with a local psychotherapist, Dr. Paolo Molino.  We became friends and get to catch up on this show over several years later.Paolo is fluent in English, French, and Italian which allows him to work with travelers, expats, and students.  Please enjoy the blog article here.Dr. Paolo MolinoVia Antonio Scialoja 68Tel: +39 3311064726E-mail: paolomolino@gmail.comweb: www.paolomolino.com

Dr. Dan L. Edmunds is an Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Psychotherapist, and Psychological Evaluator(working under superivision). Dr. Edmunds completed undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and received a Master of Arts in Theology from the University of Scranton, a Jesuit institution. Dr. Edmunds completed post graduate coursework in Dispute Resolution at Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Edmunds earned a Doctorate of Education in Pastoral Community Counseling from Argosy University of Sarasota. He is a Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association and a member of the American Psychological Association, Catholic Psychotherapy Association, The Calix Society, The Latin Mass Society of England and Wales and the Pioneer Association for Total Abstinence (Ireland). Dr. Edmunds is a columnist for CATHOLIC STAND and is a 2nd degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.Dr. Edmunds work has focused on autistic empowerment,