The Thinking Mind Podcast: Psychiatry & Psychotherapy

Send us a text Dr Tennyson Lee is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy and General Adult Psychiatry. He is a psychoanalyst and a member of the Institute of Psychoanalysis. He is a supervisor in Transference Focused Psychotherapy. He is presently clinical lead at the Dean Cross Personality Disorder Service in East London. He is Co-director of a research and training unit, the Centre for Understanding Personality (CUSP) which has a number of collaborations internationally, including with colleagues in China, Europe and South Africa. Dr Lee trained in Public Health before training in psychiatry and has a particular interest in the broader application of psychoanalytic thinking both clinically and within health systems. He has over 40 peer reviewed papers. You can find out more about the Dean Cross Personality Service Here: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/services/deancross-personality-disorder-service Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a text This week we're taking a well deserved break, so if you're looking for something to listen to you can check out one of our recent episodes - including our recent interview with Dr. Roberto Mezzina about the Triste model of mental healthcare, our recent compherensive guide to ADHD or our recent Q and A episode where answered questions about topics like self-harm, addiction, delusional disorder and much more. We realy enjoyed doing the Q and A episode and we're collecting questions for the next one, so if you have any questions about psychiatry, psychology, self-development or related topics you can send them to thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com. In addition - we've started a tik tok page and we're posting content there regularly so if you're on tik tok you can follow us at thinking.mind.podcast. Thanks for listening and see you next week!

Send us a text In this episode we discuss ADHD in depth, including the common signs and symptoms, how ADHD is diagnosed, the common risk factors and how ADHD symptoms can be managed both with and without medication. We also discuss whether or not ADHD is over diagnosed, whether ADHD being induced by our lifestyles, and common signs of impairment due to ADHD. Useful links: https://www.additudemag.com/ https://adhduk.co.uk/ https://aadduk.org/ Dr. Alex Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com SUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a text Roberto Mezzina is an Italian psychiatrist and a prominent figure in the field of mental health, known for his leadership in promoting community-based mental health care and his role in advancing the principles of the Trieste Model. Mezzina has been a strong advocate for deinstitutionalization and the rights of people with mental health conditions, continuing the legacy of Franco Basaglia, the pioneer of the Trieste Model. Throughout his career, Mezzina has worked to implement and expand the Trieste Model's humanistic and community-focused approach to mental health care, both in Italy and internationally. He has held key positions, including serving as the Director of the Department of Mental Health in Trieste. Under his leadership, Trieste became a global reference point for innovative mental health practices. To learn more about the Trieste model go here: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/piis2215-0366(21)00252-2/fulltext Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a text Today Alex answers listener questions on a variety of topics including self-harm, talking to complicated people, the function of dark humour, delusional disorder and benzodiazepene addiction. If you would like to submit a question to a future ask me anything episode, email thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com. Dr. Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com SUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a text Sam Kotadia is a Chartered Sports Psychologist. He has worked with high profile clubs such as Colchester United and currently Wrexham AFC, and has featured on the Disney documentary about the club and town “Welcome to Wrexham”. He also oversees the flagship programme at Empire Fighting Chance (https://www.empirefightingchance.org/), a Bristol-based charity. Sam developed a non-contact boxing programme to help disengaged young people understand resilience and their mind. They work with 5000 young people per year. We discuss Sam’s approach to and ideas about the mind, developed over 20 years of working with footballers and boxers at both an elite and youth level. We discuss the practicalities of applying these and how they can complement the contrasting approaches that sports coaches and managers can bring. Sam can be reached on sam@samkotadia.com. Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a text In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of the Insecure Overachiever—a driven, high-performing individual whose success is rooted in insecurity and self-doubt. We'll explore how this psychological pattern manifests in both popular culture and professional environments, from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to high-profile law firms, to Simone Biles and the healthcare industry. We'll also discuss the importance of self-esteem, the dangers of relying on external validation, and practical steps to develop a healthy, balanced approach to achievement. Whether you're striving for success or seeking to understand your relationship with it, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice to help you achieve from a place of psychological strength. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com SUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. Prentis Hemphill is a writer, an embodiment facilitator, political organiser and therapist. Prentis has offered embodied practice during moments of social unrest and organisational upheaval, serving as the Healing Justice Director of Black Lives Matter Global Network from 2016 to 2018. Their work and writing have appeared in the New York Times, and the Huffington Post. They are a contributor to “You are Your Best Thing”, edited by Tarana Burke and Brene Brown, “Holding Change” by adrienne maree brown, and “The Politics of Trauma” by Staci Haines. They host the podcast “Becoming the People.” On this episode, we discuss their debut book “What it Takes to Heal”, released in the UK on 25 July 2024. We discuss what Prentis' practice of somatics in social movement organisations and with individuals can look like, why personal healing and social change need each other, and Prentis' hopes for the future. Interviewed by Dr. Anya Borissova - Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. Allen Frances is an American psychiatrist and psychotherapist. He is currently Professor Emeritus of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Duke University School of Medicine. He is best known for serving as chair of the task force overseeing the development of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Frances is the founding editor of two well-known psychiatric journals: the Journal of Personality Disorders and the Journal of Psychiatric Practice. He is also the author of Saving Normal (2013) and Twilight of American Sanity : A Psychiatrist Analyzes the Age of Trump (2017). Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. This week Alex dissects the 1999 Sam Mendes classic "American Beauty", exploring the lives of the Burnham family and their neighbors, delving into themes of suburban superficiality, repressed desires, and the search for meaning in modern life. We also discuss the process of personality growth and individuation, and why its so important to continuing growing psychologically across the lifespan. Dr. Alex Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com SUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. Alex chats about how our backgrounds shape us and how we can use different ideas psychiatry, psychotherapy and philosophy to make sense of it all. We'll break down the idea that "It's not your fault but it is your responsibility," and explore how finding the right balance between acceptance and responsibility can help us lead better lives. Dr. Alex Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com SUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. Alex chats about the distinctions between coaching and therapy through the lens of the "accelerator vs. brake" analogy. Whether you're trying to overcome a personal challenge, find a fulfilling career, or break a habit, understanding when to press the accelerator (taking action and making changes in the external world) versus when to release the brake (addressing internal psychological barriers) is crucial. In this episode we explore real-life examples, practical applications, and the delicate balance between inner work and outer action. Dr. Alex Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com SUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. Psychotherapist Arie Winograd (LMFT) has spent the vast majority of his 25-year psychotherapy career treating clients with body dysmorphic disorder. He founded and was the director of the Los Angeles BDD & Body Image Clinic. He is the author of Face to Face with Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Psychotherapy and Clinical Insights. He currently works with BDD clients in his private practice. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. Professor Anthony David trained in neurology before entering psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital in London. He was the Vice Dean for Academic Psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) from 2013 to 2018. In 2018, Professor David joined University College London (UCL) as the Director of the Institute of Mental Health. He has a wide and diverse range of research interests, including schizophrenia, neuropsychiatry, medically unexplained syndromes, and neuroimaging. Professor David is the author of over 650 publications in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals and has also co-authored several books. He also authored Into the Abyss: a neuropsychiatrist's notes on troubled minds: https://oneworld-publications.com/work/into-the-abyss/. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. Dr. Benjiman Waterhouse is a consultant psychiatrist. He is also an award-winning stand-up comedian. He has written for the Guardian and Independent and was included in a list of ‘Inspiring Psychiatrists’ by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. You Don’t Have to Be Mad to Work Here, his first book, was released in May 2024 In this episode we discuss the ups and downs of psychiatry training, his experiences with psychotherapy, common misconceptions about mental illness, some of the problems with modern psychiatry and our cultural understanding of mental illness , the potential value of psychedelics, the placebo effect and much more. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. Professor Henry O’Connell is a Consultant Psychiatrist working in Portlaoise, Ireland and Associate Clinical Professor with the School of Medicine at the University of Limerick. Henry has a special interest in how principles of evolutionary psychology can be applied to psychiatry, mental health and illness and medical education. Henry was isthe founding chair of the college of psychiatrists of Ireland Evolutionary Psychiatry special interest group in 2021 . In 2022 he published his a textbook Evolution and Psychiatry: Clinical Cases. Useful links: https://irishpsychiatry.ie/members/special-interest-groups/evolution-and-psychiatry-special-interest-group/ https://www.wpanet.org/evolutionary-psychiatry# https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/members/special-interest-groups/evolutionary-psychiatry https://substack.com/@epsig?r=2dzwd8&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile Today we discuss among other topics: - What it means to take an evolutionary approach in psychiatry - The difference between proximate and ultimate causes of mental illness - The notion of evolutionary mismatch - Evolutionary perspectives on psychosis, anxiety, panic attacks, ADHD, bipolar disoder Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a text What if the biggest obstacle in your way was yourself? If this were true and it was something you took seriously, it would have major implications about the way you conducted yourself. It would also mean reflecting on your decisions, and the overarching patterns of your life might be one of the most important things you could do. Today we discuss the many routes to self-sabotage, including evolutionary reasons, fear of change, the repetition compulsion and much more. Audio-Essay by Dr. Alex Curmi. Dr. Curmi is a consultant general adult psychiatrist with a sub-speciality in addictions who completed his training in the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust. In addition to general adult psychiatry he has a special interest in psychotherapy and mindfulness meditation. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com SUPPORT THE PODCAST: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. MJDorian is an artist, educator, podcast creator, and award winning composer. In 2018, MJ launched the podcast: Creative Codex, which he continues to write and produce. The show frequently appears in the top 100 charts globally in the genre of Arts. The mission of Creative Codex is to explore the mysteries of creative genius through narrative, sound design, and original music. Today we discuss who Carl Jung was, an overview of what he contributed to psychology, why he disagreed with Freud, the difference between Freudian & Jungian psychology, the Jungian interpretation of dreams, his apocalyptic visions, the Red Book, and much more. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. John E. Wisneski is a Clinical Assistant Professor at Rice University in Texas, where he teaches a course on Emotional Intelligence. He is the recipient of numerous student-selected graduate teaching awards, including the 2017 Professor of the Year Award at the Kelley School of Business, and the 2018 Most Impactful Core Professor Award at the W.P. Carey School of Business. In 2020, he was recognized by Poets & Quants as a Favorite MBA Professor for the Class of 2020. Prior to pursuing a career in academia he consulted with numerous Fortune 100 companies including American Express, General Motors, Walgreens, and PepsiCo. Today we discuss emotional intelligence; how it can be defined, tested and improved. We also discuss the darker aspects of emotional intelligence, and the differences between emotional intelligence and manipulation. Interviewed by Dr. Alex Curmi, consultant psychiatrist. References: Barsade, S. G., & Gibson, D. E. (2007). Why does affect matter in organizations?. Academy of management perspectives, 21(1), 36-59. Cherniss, C. (2010). Emotional intelligence: Toward clarification of a concept. Industrial and organizational psychology, 3(2), 110-126. Grant, Adam. (2015). The dark side of emotional intelligence." Bizezia Limited. Caruso, D. R., & Salovey, P. (2004). The emotionally intelligent manager: How to develop and use the four key emotional skills of leadership. John Wiley & Sons. Caruso, D. & Rees, L. (2021). Developing your emotional intelligence skills. EI Skills Group Goleman, D. (2005). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More than IQ. Bantam. You can access emotional intelligence assessments here: EI Assessments Our episode on the big five personality model: https://www.buzzsprout.com/277019/11581780-audio-essay-15-why-do-we-have-personalities.mp3?download=true Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/C4tmKCj7UEk If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind

Send us a Text Message. Andew Wilkinson is a dating coach and a Youtuber who specialises in helping men find and sustain healthy relationships with women. You can learn more about Andrew and is work on his youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HonestImprovementYT In this episode we discuss the problems faced by men and women alike in dating, the potential harm of dating apps, the changing ethical landscape of dating, the looming problem of AI girlfriends, how to improve your ability to attract a partner, the value of getting rejected and much more. Interviewed by Dr Alex Curmi. Watch the full episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/lolw8PGjUlI?si=jxba5hobF58Q_FrJ If you would like to enquire about an online psychotherapy appointment with Dr. Alex, you can email - alexcurmitherapy@gmail.com. Give feedback here - thinkingmindpodcast@gmail.com - Follow us here: Twitter @thinkingmindpod Instagram @thinkingmindpodcast Join Our Mailing List! - https://thinkingmindpod.aidaform.com/mailinglistsignup SUPPORT: buymeacoffee.com/thinkingmind