The Mad Shrink

The Problem With Modern Therapy | Coping vs Actually Healing w/ Dr. G

What if therapy isn’t helping because no one ever defined what “better” was supposed to look like? In this episode, Dr. G takes a hard look at modern therapy culture and challenges many of the assumptions people have been taught to accept. From endless sessions with no measurable progress to the overemphasis on insight and coping, he explains why therapy that feels productive isn’t always producing real change. Drawing from more than five decades of clinical experience, Dr. G breaks down what effective therapy should actually look like: goal-oriented, accountable, challenging, and focused on resolution rather than indefinite management. He explains why understanding your problems is not the same as solving them, why discomfort in therapy is often necessary for growth, and how patients can better evaluate whether their treatment is truly working. This conversation is direct, evidence-based, and deeply empowering for anyone currently in therapy, considering therapy, or questioning whether the process they’re in is actually helping them move forward. Key Highlights: Why the length of therapy says nothing about its effectiveness The myth that insight alone creates change Why some of the most powerful breakthroughs happen in only a few sessions The importance of having a clear therapeutic contract and measurable goals Why therapy without accountability can drift endlessly The difference between coping with a problem and actually resolving it Why being challenged, uncomfortable, or frustrated in therapy can be a positive sign Common therapist boundary violations and how to address them directly The danger of “interminable therapy” with no evidence of progress How to recognize when you may be protecting your therapist’s assumptions instead of solving your own problems Dr. G, also known as “The Mad Shrink,” is a board-certified psychiatrist and author of The Healing Paradox known for his candid, no-nonsense approach to psychotherapy and behavioral change. Through decades of clinical work and his Mad Shrink platform, he challenges conventional mental health narratives and gives people practical, evidence-based ways to think differently about healing. Whether you’ve spent years in therapy, are just beginning the process, or have quietly wondered why nothing seems to change, this episode offers a radically honest perspective on what good therapy should actually do. This isn’t about feeling understood for an hour a week. It’s about creating meaningful change. This show is Produced by Rainbow Creative [https://www.rainbowcreative.co/] with Executive Producer Matthew "MoJo" Jones and Editor Omar Foaud. * 00:00 Introduction * 00:33 Not All Therapists Are Equal * 01:26 Longer Therapy Is NOT Better * 03:09 Insight Is Overrated * 05:25 Point 1: Therapeutic Contract * 08:30 Point 2: Solving vs. Just Coping * 09:15 Point 3: Beware Medication Pushers * 11:38 Point 4: Does Your Therapist Listen? * 12:30 Point 5: Are You Being Challenged? * 13:20 Point 6: Healthy Frustration in Therapy * 14:05 Point 7: Does Your Therapist Genuinely Care? * 14:45 Point 8: Boundary & Frame Requirements * 19:00 Point 9: Are You Making Progress? * 20:30 Point 10: The Fallacy of Interminable Therapy * 19:40 Point 11: Avoid Psychiatrists Under 65 * 23:00 How to Find the Right Therapist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Breathing and Thinking Your Way Out of Anxiety

What if anxiety isn’t something you “have”, but something you’re doing? In this episode, Dr. G breaks down anxiety with clarity, precision, and zero fluff. He unpacks what’s actually happening in your brain and body when anxiety hits, why it spirals the way it does, and, most importantly, how to interrupt it in real time. From the physiology of breathing to the psychology of thought patterns, this conversation cuts through the noise and gives you tools that are both simple and clinically grounded. Dr. G walks through two of the most effective, evidence-based approaches for managing anxiety: breathwork that directly regulates your nervous system, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques that target the distorted thinking fueling the cycle. He also reframes anxiety in a way most people never consider, not as a condition to fear, but as a dysfunctional pattern you can retrain, and in some cases, even redirect as excitement. Key Highlights: * What anxiety actually is (and why it always comes back to a sense of safety) * The role of the autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve * How your breathing changes under stress — and why it makes anxiety worse * Simple breathing techniques that activate a calming physiological response * Why nasal breathing and extended exhales signal safety to the brain * The four core cognitive distortions driving anxiety (fortune telling, mind reading, shoulding, labeling) * How CBT works to challenge and rewire anxious thinking * Why performance anxiety is often just misinterpreted excitement * The shift from “having anxiety” to understanding it as a changeable dysfunction Whether you’re dealing with panic attacks, social anxiety, OCD, or chronic overthinking, this episode gives you practical tools you can start using immediately. This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about understanding the mechanism so you can actually change it. This show is produced by Rainbow Creative [https://www.rainbowcreative.co/] with Matthew “MoJo” Jones and Executive Producer Omar Foaud, with editing by Omar Foaud and graphics by Mohamed Naser. For sponsorship opportunities, contact podcasts@rainbowcreative.co [podcasts@rainbowcreative.co] Chapters * 0:00 Introduction * 0:40 What Is Anxiety? * 2:18 The Parasympathetic Nervous System & Feeling Safe * 5:46 Breathing Techniques for Anxiety * 10:04 The Role of Thoughts in Anxiety * 12:12 Cognitive Distortions That Drive Anxiety * 15:55 Anxiety as Disguised Excitement * 18:17 Anxiety as Dysfunction, Not a Thing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Are You Really ADHD? What Your Psychiatrist Isn't Telling You

What if your ADHD diagnosis is only telling part of the story? In this episode, Dr. G challenges the way ADHD is commonly diagnosed and treated. He argues that millions of people may be managing symptoms without ever addressing the real cause. From the overreliance on stimulant medications to overlooked biological and lifestyle factors, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what's actually driving issues with focus, attention, and mental clarity. It also reveals why the system may be getting it wrong. Key Highlights: * Why the current ADHD model may be flawed * The truth about stimulant medications and symptom suppression * Hidden drivers of ADHD symptoms (nutrient deficiencies, diet, lifestyle) * The ADHD–Restless Legs connection most doctors miss * Supplements and natural approaches with real research behind them * How modern media is worsening attention spans * Practical ways to improve focus without relying only on medication * Why your environment and career choices matter more than you think This episode isn’t about rejecting treatment, it’s about asking better questions and finding deeper answers. This show is produced by Rainbow Creative [https://www.rainbowcreative.co/]with Matthew "MoJo" Jones and Executive Producer, Omar Foaud as Editor and Mohamed Naser as Graphic Designer. For Sponsorship Opportunities email podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Welcome to The Mad Shrink Podcast by Dr. G!

Meet Dr. G, a board-certified psychiatrist and your guide to all things mental health. In this trailer, Dr. G introduces what the show is all about: cutting through the noise, offering real information and advice, and flipping everything you thought you knew about mental health on its head. Follow along on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen. The Mad Shrink is in — and the sessions are just getting started. This show is produced by Rainbow Creative https://www.rainbowcreative.co/ [https://www.rainbowcreative.co/] with Matthew "MoJo" Jones and Executive Producer, Omar Foaud as Editor and Mohamed Naser as Graphic Designer. For Sponsorship Opportunities email podcasts@rainbowcreative.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]