PsychedAbout

Ep. 21 with Valeen (she/her)

As we wrap up season one of PsychedAbout and prepare for graduation (!) we wanted to introduce someone very special with a powerful story to share. Valeen Axo Amos's story inspires us to continue this work of supporting clients to find their identities in this world--and how healing that process can be. Listen. Laugh. Cry. Hope. Stay Kind. Stay Safe. Stay Psyched.

Ep. 20. History of Psychotherapy: Part 2

Erin and Sepi dive deep into clinical psychology through World War II. They explore the psychology’s roots of prejudice and optimism as the Western world began to their understandings of psychotherapy as a more familiar field. This is the second of a multi-part series on the development of clinical psychology from the late 1800s through today. References Cohen, A. (2016). Harvards eugenics era: When academics embraced scientific racism, immigration restrictions, and the suppression of “the unfit.” Harvard Magazine. ⁠https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2016/03⁠ [https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2016/03]   Engel, J. (2008). American therapy: The rise of psychotherapy in the United States. Penguin Books.   Farber SA. (2008). U.S. scientists' role in the eugenics movement (1907-1939): a contemporary biologist's perspective. Zebrafish. 5(4): 243-5. ⁠10.1089/zeb.2008.0576⁠ [https://doi.org/10.1089%2Fzeb.2008.0576]   Guthrie, R. V. (2004). Even the rat was White: A historical view of psychology (2nd ed.) Pearson Education, Inc.   Herman, J. (1997). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence—from domestic abuse to political terror. Perseus Book Group. Latson, J. (2015). Why Freud chose Nazi Germany over America. Time USA, LLC. ⁠⁠https://time.com/3840374/freud-birthday-anniversary-history/⁠⁠ [https://time.com/3840374/freud-birthday-anniversary-history/] McCluskey, M. C. (2022). Revitalizing Alfred Adler: an echo for equality. Clinical Social Work Journal, 50(4), 387–399. ⁠https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-021-00793-0⁠ [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-021-00793-0]   Ordover, N. (2003). American Eugenics: Race, Queer Anatomy, and the Science of Nationalism. University of Minnesota Press. ⁠http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt7tz⁠ [http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt7tz]   Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W., & Lovett, M. (2020). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax.

Ep. 19. Wartime Trauma with Ani Khodaverdian

Erin and Sepi interview Ani Khodaverdian about how we can best serve clients who are impacted by intergenerational, wartime trauma as mental health professionals. Ani graduated from  UCLA for undergrad (majored in Philosophy, minored in Armenian studies). She then attended Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, graduated with a Juris Doctorate, passed the California Bar Exam and became an attorney. She worked as an attorney for a while before deciding to switch careers during the pandemic. She is currently completing her Clinical Psychology degree and she has plans to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is also an artist, feminist, and human rights activist. She runs an Instagram page called @telojantelo where she creates content in hopes of creating cultural and social changes, empowering oppressed groups, educating the public about various topics, and creating community.

Ep. 18 History of Psychotherapy: Part 1

Summary Erin and Sepi dive deep into clinical psychology at the turn of the 19th century until the beginning of World War II. They explore the psychology’s roots of prejudice and optimism as the Western world began to interpret and define the human psyche and experience for the first time. This is the first of a multi-part series on the development of clinical psychology from the late 1800s through today.   References Cohen, A. (2016). Harvards eugenics era: When academics embraced scientific racism, immigration restrictions, and the suppression of “the unfit.” Harvard Magazine. https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2016/03 [https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2016/03]   Engel, J. (2008). American therapy: The rise of psychotherapy in the United States. Penguin Books.   Farber SA. (2008). U.S. scientists' role in the eugenics movement (1907-1939): a contemporary biologist's perspective. Zebrafish. 5(4): 243-5. 10.1089/zeb.2008.0576 [https://doi.org/10.1089%2Fzeb.2008.0576]   Guthrie, R. V. (2004). Even the rat was White: A historical view of psychology (2nd ed.) Pearson Education, Inc.   Herman, J. (1997). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence—from domestic abuse to political terror. Perseus Book Group. Latson, J. (2015). Why Freud chose Nazi Germany over America. Time USA, LLC. ⁠https://time.com/3840374/freud-birthday-anniversary-history/⁠ [https://time.com/3840374/freud-birthday-anniversary-history/] McCluskey, M. C. (2022). Revitalizing Alfred Adler: an echo for equality. Clinical Social Work Journal, 50(4), 387–399. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-021-00793-0 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-021-00793-0]   Ordover, N. (2003). American Eugenics: Race, Queer Anatomy, and the Science of Nationalism. University of Minnesota Press. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt7tz [http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5749/j.ctttt7tz]   Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W., & Lovett, M. (2020). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax.

Ep. 17 Bioecological Systems Theory

Erin and Sepi review Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Systems Theory and get heady with complexity and critiques.   Initially criticized for neglecting biological, cognitive processes and focusing solely on the environment, the theory evolved over time to encompass biology's role in human development. The key components of the theory include Microsystem (direct interactions), Mesosystem (interactions between microsystems), Exosystem (indirect influences), Macrosystem (broader societal influences), and Chronosystem (time and historical context).   Erin argues that Bronfenbrenner's work highlights the significance of individual psychology, emphasizing that behavior is influenced by perception rather than objective reality.   She suggests that the evolution of the theory should create a subsystem within the Microsystem that includes the individual as a system unto itself.   Complexity theory, as discussed in an interview published on the Mindscape podcast with Dr. Sean Carroll and Dr. David Krakaur is applied to the Bioecological Systems Theory and used to illustrate how to conceptualize systems-thinking in therapeutic relationships.   Show Notes   Sean Carroll’s Mindscape Podcast (2023): [https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2023/07/10/242-david-krakauer-on-complexity-agency-and-information/] Ep. 242 David Krakauer on Complexity, Agency, and Information [https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2023/07/10/242-david-krakauer-on-complexity-agency-and-information/]   Bronfenbrenner, U. (2005). Making human beings human : Bioecological perspectives on human development (The SAGE program on applied developmental science). Sage Publications   Tudge, J. R. H., Mokrova, I., Hatfield, B. E., & Karnik, R. B. (2009). Uses and misuses of Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory of human development. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 1(4), 198–210. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-2589.2009.00026.x [https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-2589.2009.00026.x]   Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press.