In this episode of Doorknob Comments, Fara and Grant Brenner are joined by Sharon Thomas, the founder and CEO of MAIA Education Resource Center. Sharon is a child development and learning specialist with expertise in one-on-one academic interventions and school and college placement. With over two decades of experience, she shares her insights on school placement, learning challenges, and the crucial role of executive function skills in achieving academic success. Sharon discusses the delicate balance between schools, parents, and students, providing valuable guidance on navigating the complexities of the education system from kindergarten through college.

We hope you enjoy.

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Sharon Thomas

https://www.maiaeducation.com/

info@maiaeducation.com

212-426-3742

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Navigating Education Challenges with Sharon Thomas

In this episode, Grant and Fara are joined by Joe Feldman, the president and founder of Cover My Mental Health, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping patients and their families secure proper insurance coverage for mental health services. Joe began advocating for access to mental healthcare after facing challenges related to insurance denials for his daughter’s residential care. During the conversation, Grant and Fara discuss these obstacles with Joe and explore the role that Cover My Mental Health plays in helping everyday people access the mental healthcare they need. Be sure to check the links in the show notes for more information and resources!

We hope you find it enjoyable.

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Joe Feldman

https://covermymentalhealth.org/

Joe's Email [joe@covermymentalhealth.com?]: joe@covermymentalhealth.com

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Other Resources

https://www.nami.org/support-education/publications-reports/survey-reports/the-2024-nami-workplace-mental-health-poll/

https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/apa-blogs/write-effective-letters-of-medical-necessity

https://www.thekennedyforum.org/blog/10-steps-to-securing-insurance-coverage-for-mental-health-care/

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/experimentations/202410/getting-insurance-to-cover-mental-health

https://covermymentalhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Medical-necessity-letter_best-practices-2024-11.pdf

https://journals.lww.com/practicalpsychiatry/fulltext/2021/07000/providing_a_routine_medical_necessity_letter_to.7.aspx

Overcoming Insurance Obstacles with Joe Feldman #76

In this episode, Grant and Fata are joined by Dr. Scott Shapiro. Dr. Scott Shapiro, a leading expert in Adult ADHD trained at Harvard Medical School, provides specialized care in New York City, combining psychopharmacology, medical psychiatry, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He also is a Corporate Executive Coach, helping professionals enhance their performance, productivity, and communication skills. Dr. Shapiro shares his expertise as a specialist in Adult ADHD, its treatment, and practical strategies to help individuals overcome their challenges. 

We hope you enjoy. 



Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Scott Shapiro

https://www.scottshapiromd.com/ [https://www.doorknobcomments.com/]

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Navigating Adult ADHD with Dr. Scott Shapiro

In this episode, Grant and Fara delve into the topic of insight. They discuss its meaning, the benefits of having insight, and the various ways in which insight can be lacking. They also explore strategies for enhancing one's insight into their mental health and the role of therapy in encouraging patients to critically engage with their mental illness. We hope you find it enjoyable.

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Insight and Mental Health

In this episode of Doorknob Comments Grant and Fara are joined by Angie Tekriwal, owner of Silver Lining Counseling LLC and counselor specializing in treating adolescents, young adults, and families at her private practice in Montclair, New Jersey.  Angie is also a mother and a good friend of Fara. They talk about the impact of media consumption on kids, inside scoop on the mom experience, and a range of other subjects.

We hope you enjoy it!

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Angie Tekriwal

https://www.angietekriwal.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

The Challenges of Modern Parenting with Angie Tekriwal

In this episode, Grant and Fara dive into the animated film Inside Out 2, exploring its creative depiction of emotions and the educational value it offers. They begin by providing a synopsis of the film, followed by an in-depth discussion on how emotions like anxiety and sadness play a crucial role in the protagonist Riley’s conflicts and emotional growth. The conversation also touches on the portrayal of emotional frameworks in the film and how they reflect real-life therapeutic approaches. As always, they wrap up with some thoughtful closing remarks and doorknob comments.

We hope you enjoy it.

In This Episode
[0:00] Introduction
[1:20] Episode Overview
[2:00] Synopsis of Inside Out 2
[5:00] Exploring Emotional Representation and Educational Themes
[12:40] Anxiety's Impact on Riley's Journey
[15:40] Anxiety as a Manifestation of Insecurity
[19:00] Sadness and Emotional Integration
[21:00] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Depicted in the Film
[23:00] Which Emotion Takes the Lead?
[29:20] Navigating Social Challenges and Stereotypes in Adolescence
[33:10] Linking Gendered Social Dynamics Back to Childhood
[36:15] Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Inside Out 2: Anxiety and Insecurity

In this episode, Grant and Fara are joined by Dr. Alexey Tolchinsky, a clinical psychologist, adjunct professor at George Washington University, and clinical fellow of the International Neuropsychoanalysis Association. He works with neurodiverse patients and young adults struggling with life transitions. Today, they discuss his peer-reviewed research, namely what he refers to as narrative fallacy in psychotherapy. Dr. Tolchinksky explains what he thinks are the dangers of narrative fallacy in psychotherapy, how it plays out between therapists and patients, and ways that we can consider re-thinking ingrained narratives in the therapeutic encounter.

We hope you enjoy it.

In This Episode

[0:00] Introduction

[1:30] Episode Overview

[04:40] Alexey’s Journey into Clinical Psychology

[6:10] The Concept of Narrative Fallacy

[13:10] Narrative Fallacy in Clinical Setting: ADHD and Anxiety

[21:15] Achieving Patient Wellness

[24:50] Data vs. Theory-Driven Practice

[28:40] Applying Narrative Fallacy in Therapy

[34:30] Static and Dynamic Diagnostic Tools

[44:40] Potential for Dynamic Tools in Therapy

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Alexey Tolchinksky

https://montgomerycountypsychologist.com/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Narrative Fallacies in Dynamic Therapy

In this episode, Grant and Fara are joined by esteemed neurophysicist and authority on brain imaging, Dr. Karl Friston. His revolutionary impact on studies of the brain derives from his inventive use of probability theory to analyze neural imaging data. They discuss how we might think about psychotherapy from the point of view of Dr. Friston’s work and briefly touch on artificial general intelligence, AGI, through Karl’s work on VERSES AI.

We hope you enjoy!

In This Episode

[0:00] Introduction

[1:35] Episode Overview

[02:30] Journey into Brain Imaging Research

[6:30] Mathematics and Brain Processing

[12:10] Active Inference and its Relevance to Psychotherapy

[24:10] Therapeutic Alliance as Computational System

[27:50] Revising Entrenched Beliefs Through Therapy

[32:20] Trauma, Condition, and Altered Rationale

[55:00] Mindfulness and Managing Prediction Errors

[1:00:00] Consciousness and Selfhood

[1:04:35] Verses AI and the Future of Psychiatry

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Karl Friston

https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/2747-karl-friston

https://www.verses.ai/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

Active Inference, the Free Energy Principle, and Therapy

In this episode, Fara and Grant approach the sticky subjects in therapy, such as: billing, scheduling, boundaries, connection... and whether I really AM my therapist's favorite patient!! They provide insights into the challenges associated with managing this relationship and offer guidance on how to effectively communicate with your therapist. How do you bring up your concerns? Is it wrong to feel emotionally or romantically attracted to your therapist? This episode covers a wide range of topics to hopefully ease some of your anxieties.

We hope you enjoy.

Key Takeaways:

Therapists, like anyone else, have their unique ways of approaching therapy based on their training and sensibilities.

If you ever feel uncertain or have questions about your therapy, please don't hesitate to bring them up with your therapist. It's important to work through any concerns in your relationship with your therapist, and they are there to take them seriously and support you.

In This Episode:

[0:00] Introduction

[01:00] Episode Overview

[03:15] Getting to Therapy on Time (...or not)

[07:30] Balancing Scheduling and Boundaries

[12:10] Adapting Therapy Practices

[15:10] Professionalism and Remote Therapy

[19:40] Ethical Boundaries in Therapist-Patient Relationships

[24:50] Handling Multiple Sources of Advice

[31:47] Am I Your Favorite??

[38:53] Therapeutic Obligations

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

What Does My Therapist Really Think?

In this episode, Grant and Fara have a conversation with Dr. Robin Stern, the Co-Founder and Senior Advisor for the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. Dr. Stern is also the author of The Gaslight Effect [https://www.amazon.com/Gaslight-Effect-Survive-Manipulation-Control/dp/0767924452] and the host of The Gaslight Effect Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gaslight-effect-podcast/id1645322193]. They delve into Dr. Stern's journey in exploring gaslighting, the common tactics used by gaslighters in relationships, the role of shame and isolation for victims, and much more. Drawing from her 30 years of experience in treating individuals, couples, and families, Dr. Stern offers valuable insights into gaslighting dynamics and the steps to reclaiming one's narrative.

We hope you enjoy!

Key Takeaways

The longer you’re in a relationship where you’re second-guessing your reality and accommodating the other, the harder it is to leave.

Many times shame can begin to creep into gaslighting relationships. Victims might be ashamed to bring their gaslighters behavior up to family and friends, and can further isolate themselves.

In This Episode

[0:00] Introduction

[1:05] Episode Overview

[02:30] Robin’s Journey to Exploring Gaslighting

[10:10] Red Flags and Disavowal

[17:15] ‘Stage 3’ of Gaslighting

[18:40] Masquerading Gaslighting in Relationships

[22:10] The Role of Isolation and Shame

[24:30] Reclaiming Reality and Pushing Back

[27:40] Gaslighting vs. Other Forms of Dysfunctional Communication

[30:40] Navigating Behavioral Intention

[33:55] What about Gaslighters?

[35:40] Closing Thoughts

Resources and Links

Doorknob Comments

https://www.doorknobcomments.com/

Dr. Robin Stern

https://robinstern.com/

https://howwefeel.org/

Dr. Fara White

https://www.farawhitemd.com/

Dr. Grant Brenner

https://www.granthbrennermd.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-h-brenner-md-dfapa/

The Gaslight Effect with Dr. Robin Stern

Doorknob Comments was named for a phenomenon that sometimes happens at the end of a therapy session, when the patient may mention something important and riddled with conflict, right as you’re walking out the door. Equal parts frustrating and enlightening, it surfaces key issues which may--or may not!-- get addressed anytime soon.