In this myth busting informative discussion Dr. Denise invites Dr. Joyce Spurgeon back for a deep dive show on where to start when you are ready to seek mental health treatment.
The roadmap of the who, what, when and where to start is right here:
Tips:
~Don’t wait to seek help.
~Consult your primary care doctor or your spiritual leader for referrals and guidance.
~Bridge plans are available if there is a waitlist (discussed in this show)
~Interview your therapist, doctor or coach to make sure they are a neurostyle match for you.
~Finding providers that have solutions that include prevention (exercise/ meditation/sleep/practice of gratitude) and patient empowerment are crucial.
~What to do before your first appointment includes the right mindset and being open and prepared for an authentic relationship.
~Ask yourself “Are you ready to be your own best friend?”
Thank you Dr. Joyce for the suggestion to get together again to do this show!
Joyce A Spurgeon, MD completed medical school at the University of Louisville and went on to do her residency in adult psychiatry there. When she finished her residency, she stayed at University of Louisville as the associate training director for the psychiatric residency. She progressed up and associate professor and became the training director and her clinical work was specializing in the treatment of mental illness in the peripartum period. Following her time at UofL, she changed the directions in her career. She was hired as the only psychiatrist at a Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana where she has worked for the past 7 years. She is proud to work closely with the primary care providers to help treat mental illness in a vastly underserved community.
Psychiatrist Joyce Spurgeon joins US with sacred remembrance of her best friend that she lost to suicide:
Joyce A Spurgeon, MD completed medical school at the University of Louisville and went on to do her residency in adult psychiatry there. When she finished her residency, she stayed at University of Louisville as the associate training director for the psychiatric residency. She progressed up and associate professor and became the training director and her clinical work was specializing in the treatment of mental illness in the peripartum period. Following her time at UofL, she changed the directions in her career. She was hired as the only psychiatrist at a Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana where she has worked for the past 7 years. She is proud to work closely with the primary care providers to help treat mental illness in a vastly underserved community.
Sacred Remembrance of Jeannie
Two little girls kneel over the mud pile- they are making their specialty- mud pies are so much fun to create. They are covered in mud, their sweaty hair sticky to their heads, but huge smiles wreath their faces. They join hands and pledge to be best friends forever. Those hands age over the years but they always find their way back to each other. In middle and high school, their lives divide but when things get really tough, the call in the middle of the night always goes to the other. Their adult lives move them into different locations, yet when they talk, it is as if no time has passed. Something happened in those early years over the mud piles, wild sledding snow days, church camp, and bike riding…..they became each other’s anchor. They each wanted to find ways to help other people. One became a nurse, the other a doctor. Yet, when they talked, they were just two little girls in adult bodies.
When mental illness hit my friend, I , as a psychiatrist, felt scared. I knew what was happening. I could see all the warning signs, and I could not control the progression. I tried to prepare her parents for what might happen and what I hoped to never witness. I got her into treatment. I asked for many favors for people to try to help her because I could only be her friend. It was not enough. My worst fears were realized…..my tow headed best buddy from the age of 4 was gone…..she hung herself because we had told all of the local gun stores to not sell her a gun. We thought we had protected her. It is only in a small town that you can get away with this type of protection. Yet, she believed that the only way that she could be free was to stand before Jesus and ask for forgiveness, so she decided to go and do that. Yet what she left behind….well, she left us journals that tried to explain her reasoning but only revealed her illness. For, in truth, none of us are better because she is gone.
Jeannie died by suicide on May 17th. That day is a day that changed the course of my life. I lost one of my anchors, one of the people who knew me as no one else will ever know me in my life. When she died, I promised myself that I would not let the way she died define who she was. She has and will always be my best buddy from my childhood, the keeper of my dreams and hopes. And, I will continue to carry her with me for the rest of my life. She still walks with her hand in mine- I just can’t feel it in real life anymore, but I know it is there. So, I talk about how she died because I feel like she was taken too soon from us all because of her mental illness, yet I want you to know that her life was so much more to me. I never thought that this is how the story of those two little girls would end. I will miss you forever, my friend.
What an honor to have this vulnerable interview with Ryan Phillips.
His deep dive childhood mental health history reveals his experiences of trauma, neglect and bullying that predated his entry into the professional hockey arena.
It was so riveting and packed with insight that it evolved into a two-part show.
Here is part 1:
Ryan Phillips has led a packed life full of lessons in many arenas. The first was ice hockey, his passion and dream growing. Everything seemed to be on track until he left home at 16. A string a major injuries and other set backs didn’t allow him to reach his full potential even though he played in the pro ranks for a time. Concussions and addiction became the theme while it was clear he missed his window to the NHL.
Some poor choices led him into the lucrative Marijuana industry at the age of 20, being one of the early pioneers before legalization. Shipping large shipments of the plant across the border into the USA. That lasted until he he was incarcerated in the year 2000 for over 500 days in a maximum federal prison on a conspiracy to import charge. When he got out things didn’t change right away, and that story is depicted on National Geographic’s hit show (Locked Up Abroad.)
After many close calls and threats on his life, he escaped that business and made some serious changes and dedicated his life to service. A global advocate and speaker on the work he’s done around the world on Mental Health, and Child Sex Slavery, led to two Tedx talks, riding across many countries on a bicycle to raise awareness for these important global crisis’s. Now with Mental Health being at the forefront of humanity, he has partnered up with Charles Mattocks an award winning film producer.
The nephew of the late Bob Marley, Charles and Ryan both believe in REDEMPTION! This summer they start the journey of filming the T.V series (True Redemption) that will focus on personalities in North America to start, intertwining Ryan’s life story and the need for humanity to bind together, connect and find action based solutions. It’s both their intention to stamp out the stigmas surrounding mental health and normalize a once taboo topic. Ryan is open and honest about his adversity’s, and never backs down from an opportunity to help make this world a better place.
In honor of Memorial Day & Mental Health Awareness by Evidential Medium Deborah Romero:
“Spirit is so intelligent as they orchestrated the outline for Dr Denise and I to Flow together with Grace and Compassion for Humanity. Mental Health Matters, You Matter and you’re not alone. Dr Denise & I opened up together diving deep into the importance of honoring OUR FEELINGS and unique sensory perception(s)!
Dr. Denise McDermott completed her Adult Psychiatry residency at Emory University and her Child Psychiatry fellowship at University of California Los Angeles where she was acting Chief Fellow. We both had no idea the magnitude of how our work together would be so divining. An honor of those who battle Mental Health and those who have fallen and continue to suffer silently from their wounds seen & unseen from serving for our country. A piece of my story was shared to give hope to others to know there are alternative ways to take your healing ❤️🩹 journey to another level with Eastern & Western Medicine. I gave a glimpse into my personal journey in the part 1 of the interview as I stepped outside of the box with compassion & gentleness for myself. Investing in yourself matters.
Part 2 of my interview talks about one layer of my traumas . You will hear how it coincides with Mental Health Awareness and Memorial Day . I was Raw and vulnerable, but surrounded by the love of the women in my family who were and are still present for me . It was truly a gift from spirit . Having support as I flowed with tears was bitter sweet not having my mom present. My mother is one of the strongest women I know and I only wish I can continue to embody the strength she carries from her past . I didn’t cry because what happened, but because my mother suffers from dementia and the little girl within me yearns for that mother/daughter connection . Grief unfolded but I know I can connect in a deeper profound way which will always be eternal.
I am Yaqui descent who was raised by very strong women and who is always divinely connected to God, the unknown of the paranormal, where some may consider it superstition. Medium was not a word used then and we just knew our family members would have that deep knowing. Remember it is your birth right to flow with your perception and sensory’s . May my words shared Inspire you to ignite the fire within to ask for help and follow your heart to wellness. Be Fierce for yourself because you matter.
In Loving Memory to all who have lost the battle to Mental health and for those who have served. In God We Trust.
Thank you
Dr Denise for the opportunity to connect with you and spirit . I give Gratitude to my angels , ancestors and spirit 🤍🙏🌻
For the sacred space that was created for A deeper Understanding of how mental health not only effects the person who is experiencing it, but it becomes a ripple effect for those who love them. Let’s create a new wave of vibrations to flow with Understanding, Compassion and Love , as one continues their personal healing journey .
Simply be Kind”
Debbie
A Father’s Military Service: Layers of Trauma & Familial Healing:
Never a dull moment at our house. This surprise Saturday night request ended up being a “processing” of how my son felt about his school being closed for the rest of the school year due to a graffiti gun violence threat.
The Slurpee Solution:
Disclaimer: My son and I need to process tough stuff in our unique way and I did not want to overly traumatize him about revisiting the Uvalde Victims to trigger fear in him after his school got shut down for gun threats on Thursday for the rest of the year.
I intentionally lightly addressed it and shifted attention to the positive. Please listen to the thoughtful show Jake Myers and I did this week that is geared towards adults only.
I thought it would be eye opening to have evidential medium Deborah Romero as a guest during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Together WE do a DEEP DIVE on the importance of honoring OUR FEELINGS and unique sensory perception(s)!
Are you ready to truly EMBRACE your NEUROSTYLE?
We all process and perceive information in our unique way, our neurostyle.
WE are Evolving Energy Beings…
The multidimensional integration of the ENERGY of our HUMAN characteristics “the fabulous five” biological, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual) and sixth sense INTUITION set the foundation and essence of who WE are.
What is “the BEYOND” part of Embrace Your Neurostyle and Beyond?
HINT: Creativity, JOY, Happiness, Gratitude and UNSEEN MULTIVERSE FEELING STATES just begin to scratch the surface of the definition of & BEYOND.
This episode is filled with UNIVERSAL multidimensional EARTH HACKS:
Deborah Romero is a Evidential Psychic Medium Healer Empowerment Teacher who is holding Space to bring Awareness to raise the Vibration Collectively with Love and Healing. She Believes a soul to soul connection is one of the most precious gifts one can receive. Teaching has brought her great Joy to witness the transformations & miracles of her students as they evolve spiritually. Zoom has given her the opportunity to work and connect with others Internationally as she shares her Gift on a larger Global scale with Gratitude. Transcend _with_Debbie is a platform she created with the guidance of spirit to help likeminded souls share their Passion , Inspiration, Knowledge, & Love. The biggest Message from Spirit plays over for so many; “Share your gift the world needs your Magic,” so together let’s Anchor in that Light & Love ✨♥️
Love and compassion is BEing sent to the loved ones, community and family members of the Uvalde Texas victims.
The unimaginable tragedy of the Uvalde Texas school shooting has left US all with feelings of grief, disbelief, sadness, hopelessness and a sense of learned helplessness at a time when the Earth Ride is riddled with hate crimes, pandemic stress, and WAR.
Jake Myers joins Dr. Denise in this vulnerable, reverent mindful pivot episode:
About Jake Myers
Jake Myers is the founder and CEO of LGBTQ Therapy Space, the first LGBTQ-owned and operated online therapy platform designed for LGBTQ+ clients. A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who recently relocated from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale, Florida when his own practice moved online, Myers is dedicated to providing an affirmative and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples to navigate life’s challenges. He graduated from Antioch University Los Angeles with a master’s degree in clinical psychology and a specialization in LGBT Affirmative Psychotherapy. Myers writes a column, “Ask Jake,” for Queerty, in addition to other mental-health related topics. You can view all of his pieces for Queerty here.
LGBTQ Therapy Space
LGBTQ Therapy Space is the first LGBTQ-owned and operated online therapy platform designed specifically for LGBTQ+ people. The innovative and user-friendly platform connects LGBTQ+ clients seeking quality individual or couples counseling services with local licensed therapists who have first-hand knowledge of LGBTQ+ challenges and experiences. The platform provides an authentic, judgment-free space to help clients navigate a wide variety of challenges, including issues that disproportionately affect members of the LGBTQ+ community, such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse and discrimination. To learn more about LGBTQ Therapy Space, visit lgbtqtherapyspace.com.
My son and I have a chat about mental health, prevention and more on this episode.
-50% of all life long mental health challenges start before age 14, 75% before age 23…
When we know how to talk with our kids and each other in non-stigmatizing educating ways it is a game changer!
Tune IN:
My Son My Teacher is a carve out series of The Dr. Denise Show. “Mom,can I be on your show?” This question on the cusp of my son’s 13th birthday led to these short and sweet mini episodes that are filled with tips, tool, laughs and mindful family moments.
” I have mental illness and I don’t kill.” Michelle Hammer, Schizophrenic Activist NYC
Michelle is back as a guest just in time for mental health awareness month with inspirational tips, tools and more:
Michelle Hammer is a Schizophrenia Activist and spends her time passionately fighting stigma. She is an NYC native featured in the WebMD documentary Voices, which was nominated for a Tribeca X Award at the Tribeca Film Festival 2018. Michelle was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 22 after a misdiagnosis of bipolar at age 18. At 27, Michelle decided to use her artistic talents and fearless personality to do something that could benefit the mental health community. In May 2015, she founded a mental health-focused clothing brand. Schizophrenic.NYC is a clothing brand with the mission of reducing stigma by starting conversations about mental health. Michelle has also been featured in many publications such as Mashable, The Daily Mail, Stylist, and Buzzfeed.
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