Steps with Boone

A few years ago I published a simple model that described how to move through anxious or depressive states. It was useful, but lacking, especially as it didn’t account for the pervasive dissociation found in most cases. Progress in therapy is often non-linear. This post is written a bit more academically, but provides a more complete model of how to decide whether you are getting “better”.Here is the blog post:https://stepsfamilytherapy.blogspot.com/2023/11/how-to-measure-progress.htmlI'll be making a video version on the Youtube Channel soon!

This episode reviews some different types and symptoms of depression. The posts are:Seasonal DepressionCaring for GriefProcrastination TheoryPostpartum DepressionUse this link to see the Diagrams: https://stepsfamilytherapy.blogspot.com/2023/11/book-diagrams.htmlPlease review the post, “Depression, the Natural Process” found in Diagnosis Facts, Part 1, or here on the blog: https://stepsfamilytherapy.blogspot.com/2022/06/depression-natural-process.html

Welcome to Part 2 in our Diagnosis Education Series. This episode gives some insight into particular manifestations of anxiety, where they come from, and some about what we can do about it. The first reviews hoarding (a very pervasive condition), Obsessions/Compulsions, and other kinds of perfectionism. The second challenges the common concept of an empath and describes the anxiety of savior complexes. The third teaches us about intrusive thoughts. The fourth is about the symptom of over-apologizing, and the last explains how inappropriate reassurance can perpetuate anxiety symptoms.

This episode discusses the pervasive and critical role of Shame in mental illness and in our lives generally. The first post describes how essentially all mental illness symptoms boil down to shame. The second helps us differentiate between Grief, Guilt, and Shame. The Third helps us point out shame in common stressful situations, and the last gives specifics in how shame arises as an adaptation in children.*To avoid confusion in the second post, recall that I posit "Guilt" as a type of Grief.For more on Grief, see the post in the book, "Caring for Grief".

Featuring the following posts:Depression, the Natural ProcessSocial Anxiety: The Ranking System in Our MindsADHD, a SoapboxBorderline, Bipolar, or Split Personality?Do You Know a Narcissist?Education on Narcissism:https://clearlyclinical.com/podcast/2019/4/24/narcissism-amp-the-skilled-abuser-relational-impact-ep-51*American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.Practice parameter for the assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child AdolescPsychiatry. 2007;46(7):894-921.*Biederman J, Petty CR, Evans M, Small J, Faraone SV.How persistent is ADHD? A controlled 10-year follow-upstudy of boys with ADHD. Psychiatry Res.2010;177(3):299-304.

The 2nd Parenting Package, where we review the following posts:Steps Booklet, Page 5 (On Self-Care)A Child’s Work Ethic?"What Are You Yelling About?!"To the Parents of Adopted, Fostered, or Otherwise Traumatized ChildrenFound at https://stepsfamilytherapy.blogspot.com/and in the book 101 Therapy Talks

This is a collection of my most recent posts on parenting, but I’ve written many posts about this, which I will turn into later Parenting Packages. Please check out the blog and look on the contents page for several more, and there is a large section in my book 101 Therapy talks filled with short and practical knowledge on effective parenting. The posts reviewed in this episode are:For Parents Starting Therapy How to Put Your Kids in Residential Treatment… Sort of…Who’s in Charge Here? Parenting in a Benevolent MonarchyThey HAVE to Go to School Right?Did I Cause Your Outcomes?Found at https://stepsfamilytherapy.blogspot.com/and in the book, 101 Therapy Talks.

The world is freaking out about mental health issues, as if they were a mysterious phenomenon with no solution. We’ve convoluted the investigation with scientifically unfounded theories about brain chemicals and DNA and arbitrary diagnostic categories. We’ve developed hundreds of research-backed therapy approaches, and are no more effective as therapists than when we started psychotherapy 100 years ago. We’ve developed many medical approaches with many more on the rise (e.g., psychedelics), and yet the rate of mental illness increases. Maybe we’re missing something?Text found at https://stepsfamilytherapy.blogspot.com/

In this episode, we challenge common ideas about mental health to show how, in a way, people are less healthy than we thought, or in a way, exactly as healthy as they should be.Is Anyone Actually Healthy? Parts 1+2Are We Raising Weak Kids?The Gap Between Knowing What to Do, and Actually Doing ItPosts found at https://stepsfamilytherapy.blogspot.com/Email at boonerc@protonmail.com