Join Dr. Courtney Tracy, aka The Truth Doctor, a licensed psychotherapist and doctor of clinical psychology, as she discusses Seven Aspects Every Mental Health Community Should Have to ensure it's a safe and validating environment. Dr. Courtney discusses recent life events and how her experiences led her to creating her own mental health community for her global online audience. There's also a discount code in the episode for those who want to join! We think this episode could help people who want to learn what to look for in a supportive community and those who experience traits of or are diagnosed with borderline personality, autism, and/or ADHD. We'd love to hear from you via screenshots on social media by tagging us at @the.truth.doctor and @truthdoctormedia. Thank you, and enjoy.

The main message of the episode: You deserve a community that helps you heal, and that teaches you what it means to be a human while treating you like one.

Follow Dr. Courtney on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @the.truth.doctor. Learn more about Truth Doctor Media at thetruthdoctor.com.
LISTEN TO EPISODES ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS!

Timestamps:

00:00 - 00:49 - Intro and Starting the Truth Doctor

00:50 - 04:17 - Dr. Courtney's outpatient center and job interviews re: BPD stigma

04:18 - 05:20 - How stigma lives on the internet and social media too

05:21 - 08:24 - What is a "Validating Environment"? and What is "Community?"

08:25 - 08:30 - Seven Aspects of A Healthy Mental Health Community

08:31 - 11:04 - 1) A safe and supportive space

11:05 - 11:39 - 2) Accessible mental health resources

11:40 - 12:26 - 3) Empowerment and advocacy

12:27 - 13:22 - 4) Holistic mental health approach

13:23 - 14:49 - 5) Embracing diversity and reducing stigma

14:50 - 16:33 - 6) Community engagement and connection

16:34 - 17:47 - 7) Mental health education and awareness

17:48 - 19:54 - The Truth Doctor's three slogans

19:56 - 20:19 - Dr. Courtney's Validating Environment: her new Glad You Exist community

20:20 - 22:42 - The Glad You Exist community

22:43 - 24:16 - Glad You Exist community mental health and BPD healing offerings

24:17 - 25:16 - Why did Dr. Courtney create the Glad You Exist community?

25:17 - 26:35 - Learn more at thetruthdoctor.com/gladyouexist (discount code: HFPOD)

26:36 - 30:29 - Upcoming Glad You Exist events and the six principles of Glad You Exist

30:30 - 33:05 - Outro and "so glad you exist"

COMMUNITY WEBSITE: https://www.thetruthdoctor.com/gladyouexist

Starter Membership (3 months w/ discount): https://www.thetruthdoctor.com/offers/H248cT6e?coupon_code=HFPOD

Annual Membership (12 months w/ discount): https://www.thetruthdoctor.com/offers/UZ7eFo3X?coupon_code=HFPOD

#mentalhealth #community #borderlinepersonalitydisorder

(cw: suicidality, abuse) Join Dr. Courtney Tracy, aka The Truth Doctor, a licensed psychotherapist and doctor of clinical psychology, as she compares the three diagnoses she's been clinically given over the last ten years as a client. Dr. Courtney discusses what the research says about the relationship between these mental health conditions and more specifically, how autism and BPD may show up through the lens of Borderline Personality Disorder DSM criteria. We think this episode could help people who have borderline personality, autism, ADHD, and/or simply have multiple diagnoses. We'd love to hear from you via screenshots on social media by tagging us at @the.truth.doctor and @truthdoctormedia. Thank you, and enjoy.

The main message of the episode: The most important part of getting a diagnosis is looking beneath the labels and seeing the human being.

Follow Dr. Courtney on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @the.truth.doctor.

Learn more about Truth Doctor Media at thetruthdoctor.com.
LISTEN TO EPISODES ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS!

Timestamps:

00:00 - 03:06 - Intro and Receiving multiple mental health diagnoses

03:07 - 06:01 - Autism Spectrum Conditions and mental health diagnoses vs. symptoms

06:02 - 06:45 - Overview of BPD, ADHD, and Autism

06:46 - 07:17 - The biggest overlap between the disorders: Emotional dysregulation and Impulsivity

07:18 - 09:20 - 2018 study on BPD and Autism, autistic traits, and empathy

09:21 - 10:43 - Increased suicidality and risk of sexual and physical abuse with multiple diagnoses

10:44 - 15:09 - Co-occurring disorders and prevalence - ADHD, ASD, and BPD - and also CPTSD

15:10 - 18:40 - Causes and how to prevent BPD or other traumatic behaviors
18:41 - 19:44 - Treatments for Borderline Personality, ADHD, and Autistic Spectrum Disorder

19:45 - 22:41 - Not all mental health symptoms are a result of trauma

22:41 - 26:23 - BPD criteria 1 and 2 vs. Autistic symptoms: unstable relationships & fear of abandonment

26:24 - 28:48 - BPD criteria 3 and 7 vs. Autistic symptoms: identity disturbance & feelings of emptiness

28:49 - 31:45 - DSM BPD criteria 4 vs. Autistic symptoms: Self-damaging impulsivity

31:46 - 33:15 - DSM BPD criteria 5 vs. Autistic symptoms: Self-harm/suicidality & self-mutiliation

33:16 - 35:17 - DSM BPD criteria 6 and 8 vs. Autistic symptoms: Affective instability & uncontrolled anger

35:18 - 36:39 - DSM BPD criteria 9 vs. Autistic symptoms: Transient stress-related paranoid or dissociative symptoms

36:40 - 38:00 - Rejection sensitivity in all three disorders

38:01 - 39:29 - Outro and "so glad you exist"

2018 Study about Autism Spectrum "Conditions": https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0184447

#adhd #autism #borderlinepersonalitydisorder

(cw: suicidality) Join Dr. Courtney Tracy as she reviews the last two years of her life. Dr. Courtney and her husband, Max, discuss major life changes, new neurodivergent diagnoses, a traumatic pregnancy, and their renewed relationship. We think this episode could help people who have borderline personality, autism, a traumatic history, and/or are in a relationship where mental health is a daily conversation. We'd love to hear from you via screenshots on social media by tagging us at @the.truth.doctor and @truthdoctormedia. Thank you and enjoy.

The main message of the episode: The more you understand yourself and others, the better your relationships become.

Follow Dr. Courtney on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @the.truth.doctor. Learn more about Truth Doctor Media at thetruthdoctor.com.

WATCH EPISODES ON YOUTUBE at youtube.com/@humanfirstpod

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, LAST EPISODE OF THE YEAR. Dr. Kristen Casey is clinical psychologist, author, and content creator. She’s the founder and owner of a private practice and consultation company. Prior to her psychology career, she was an EMT for 5 years. Her clinical training focused on health psychology, which sparked her interest in sleep, anxiety, and dedication to utilizing modalities that are rooted in science and research. Dr. Casey is most known on social media for providing mental health and wellness content about insomnia, anxiety, and gender/sexuality concerns.

Episode Description and Show Notes:

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney discusses:

• 
  
• Kristen describes herself as a partner, dog mom, connective, and knows all the presidents in order.
• 
  
• Kristen’s why for being in the mental health field starts with her career in the ambulance field
• 
  
• Defining what sleep is and what our brains do during sleep
• 
  
• There are over 70 sleep disorders
• 
  
• Answering the question “how much sleep should people get?” and what brain waves are present during sleep?
• 
  
• Awakenings are normal, the most “normal” sleeper has about 2 awakenings per night
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• People of color, veterans, and women tend to have more trouble sleeping
• 
  
• She specialized in sleep by accident, and ended up falling in love with it.
• 
  
• If your soul is tired, sleep won’t fix your problem. Privilege plays a huge role in sleeping habits.
• 
  
• One tip is waking up at the same time everyday can be really helpful for sleep regulation
• 
  
• “Nobody’s ever going to take you seriously” and other stigmatizing moments for being a therapist with tattoos
• 
  
• Sometimes the best thing you learn from clients is the opposite of what you learn in school
• 
  
• The nuances of cultural competency and knowing lived experience is completely different
• 
  
• Her purpose in life is to learn as much as she can and connect with people
• 
  
• Most common themes when it comes to having insomnia and how likely we are to get it.
• 
  
• Being able to rest and being able to sleep is a privilege, and your working on your souls energy is key to better sleep
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  

You can find Dr. Kristen Casey online at:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drkristencasey/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAlbIjiVbZ-IzaFN-3FDRWg

Twitter: https://twitter.com/drkristencasey

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drkristencasey

Learn more about Kristen's offerings at: https://www.drkristencasey.com/

Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings:

Instagram: @the.truth.doctor

TikTok: @the.truth.doctor

Twitter: @_thetruthdoctor

Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show

Healing texts: USA & Canada (424) 228-9525

Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com

This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, we get deep. This episode is about personal loss and suicidality overall so here is your content notice. I am a therapist, a social worker, a wife, a mom, a relatable human, and so much more. Mental health is extremely important to me because I’ve been there. Maybe not in your shoes, but I have been through some really difficult times, and if I can’t relate, chances are I can empathize. Shoutout to my trauma. When I was 10-years-old I lost my mom to suicide and unfortunately, during that experience I saw first hand how stigmatized suicide and mental health challenges can be. So here I am now, adulting like no other, with a passion to break stigmas around mental health and support others along their journey towards personal growth.

SUICIDE HOTLINE: TEXT OR CALL 988 (https://988lifeline.org/)

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney discusses:

• 
  
• Elyce describes herself as a mom to two small kids, a soccer player, and someone who considers herself weird and awkward
• 
  
• When Elyce was 10 she lost her mom to suicide, and she feels the universe was one of the reasons her path included social work
• 
  
• Elyce helps define in her words suicide, loss, and trauma for the HUMAN first listeners
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• Over 700,000 people die by suicide annually in the world, double than homicide
• 
  
• From her mom’s suicide to now, we have more information on what to look for and how to help
• 
  
• When Elyce’s mom was a good mom, but struggled with her own traumas even though she didn’t look like it.
• 
  
• She describes when she found out about her mom’s suicide and how everything unfolded for her that day
• 
  
• Elyce believes in a ‘one more day’ meaning maybe if we can prevent someone from acting on their desire for one more day we can help them find the help they need even if it’s just in the moment
• 
  
• Her church community stigmatized her mother and those words hurt deeply a young Elyce
• 
  
• Describing the little moments and little ways her mother’s absence has showed up for her in her life
• 
  
• Elyce describes her time in child welfare and how working with suicidal parents had affected her
• 
  
• The area Elyce is most dedicated to is sitting with someone in there pain and establishing relationships to help them through
• 
  
• The balance between the ethical guidelines and clinical discretion of helping clients
• 
  
• The reasons worth living inventory can be incredibly helpful in those tunnel vision moments
• 
  
• Having constant suicidal thoughts shouldn’t be normal, you deserve to receive help and live in peace mentally
• 
  
• Elyce hopes that this conversation gives someone a little more comfort in asking or reaching out for help
• 
  

You can find Elyce Mandich online at:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thatrelatablesocialworker/?hl=en

Learn more about Elyce's offerings at: https://www.bigempathytherapy.org/

Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings:

Instagram: @the.truth.doctor

TikTok: @the.truth.doctor

Twitter: @_thetruthdoctor

Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show

Healing texts: USA & Canada (424) 228-9525

Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com

This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Our guests are two of the most fun people I’ve had the chance of interviewing: Dr. Sami and David! This episode is all about being neurodivergent. David Meer is a licensed professional counselor located in Scottsdale, Arizona. David has over a decade of experience and provides workshops and consultation services to corporate clients and schools in the Phoenix Metro area. Dr. Sami Pieknik is a licensed clinical psychologist in Phoenix, Arizona providing individual therapy to children, teens, and young adults. Dr. Sami has 12 years of experience working to support neurodivergent individuals.She has a background in psychological/neuropsychological assessment, autism assessment, and in working with neurodivergent folks across the lifespan and in a variety of settings including inpatient residential, home-based therapies, community mental health, and in private practice.

Episode Description and Show Notes:

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney discusses:

• 
  
• Sami describes herself as an adult toy collector, musician, and cat person. David describes himself as an empathetic father of two girls.
• 
  
• Sami and David connected on Linkedin and realized there’s a huge shortage of therapists who specialize in neurodiversity
• 
  
• They both feel a responsibility to speak up because it’s easy to stay silent
• 
  
• You have to be careful with what you share about yourself because the stigma against neurodiversity exists even in the mental health space
• 
  
• Sami and David define neurodiversity and affirming in a mental health capacity
• 
  
• Judy Singer first coined the term “neurodiversity” in Australia
• 
  
• Neurodiversity is a biological fact, not an opinion
• 
  
• Neurotypical is considered what society deems “normal” whereas Neurodivergent deviates from what society deems “normal”
• 
  
• Some people meet what challenges what they were taught with defenses
• 
  
• We expect the same behavior for all children just because they are around the same age, yet most of the structures we place around them are arbitrary like sitting still
• 
  
• There are so many different ways people present and the “average” person doesn’t exist
• 
  
• Autistic burnout and trauma is real and underlooked
• 
  
• What kind of levels of support are you providing your neurodivergent clients, peers, or friends?
• 
  
• The double empathy problem: What is it and How do we see it in neurodivergent people?
• 
  
• Seeing people for their whole being, not over generalizing, and listening is the key to affirming neurodivergent people.
• 
  

You can find Dr. Sami and David online at:

Website: https://www.neurodiversecounseling.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/neuro.pier/?hl=en

Sami IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sami.p/?hl=en

Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings:

Instagram: @the.truth.doctor

TikTok: @the.truth.doctor

Twitter: @_thetruthdoctor

Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show

Healing texts: USA & Canada (424) 228-9525

Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com

This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Our guest is Cate Jonsson. Cate is a writer, artist, mother and mental health advocate. In 2017 she published her first collection of poetry as an act of healing through creativity, which lead to being invited to teach writing workshops centered on finding your voice and self expression for youth and women in her community. She is currently writing her first memoir and finishing her Bachelor's in Human Services and Counseling.

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney discusses:

• 
  
• Cate describes herself as an artist which is something she struggled with
• 
  
• She has always loved art and poetry which was the basis for her why
• 
  
• Because the kids she worked with showed up, that inspired her to show up
• 
  
• Cate shares her personal definition of creativity
• 
  
• If you feel the urge to create, do it
• 
  
• So much of creating is about observing
• 
  
• Cate didn’t write in her journal for 10 years because she was afraid she would ruin it’s beauty
• 
  
• She didn’t realize that her writing was an act of transforming and understanding her trauma
• 
  
• If we feel something and don’t call it what it is, then we won’t truly feel it
• 
  
• Cate’s therapist who is also an artist lead her to combining art with mental health
• 
  
• Cate describes her calming corner in her home and how it helps her
• 
  
• What writing a memoir feels like when you’re actually doing it
• 
  
• She had always kept things at a surface level but that changed during her memoir writing
• 
  
• Cate reads one of her poems on the podcast!
• 
  
• Finding the words can be hard, sometimes it spills out sometimes it’s forced out
• 
  

You can find Cate Jonsson online at:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/catejonsson/?hl=en

Learn more about Cate's offerings at: https://bio.link/cate

Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings:

Instagram: @the.truth.doctor

TikTok: @the.truth.doctor

Twitter: @_thetruthdoctor

Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show

Healing texts: USA & Canada (424) 228-9525

Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com

This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation

Today’s guest is one of my favorite relationship therapists, Patricia Lamas. Patricia is an LCSW, who owns Securely Coupled Therapy, and provides individual, couples, and sex therapy in both LA and NY. She has worked in a variety of different settings and is trained in IFS, Gottman, Brainspotting, and PACT Level 3. She’s a therapy queen.

In this episode of the HUMAN First podcast, Dr. Courtney discusses:

• 
  
• Patricia is originally from Spain and that transition was a tough challenge
• 
  
• She describes herself as an “anxious ball”
• 
  
• Patricia’s struggle with her parents divorce and her parentification lead her to her interest in healthy relationship communication
• 
  
• Creating secure relationships can make the world a better place
• 
  
• What are attachment styles?
• 
  
• We are all babies who are trying to attach or reattach
• 
  
• Being wired for connection but also being wired for survival
• 
  
• Loneliness is just as bad as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day health wise
• 
  
• How many attachment styles are there and what are they?
• 
  
• The goal is secure attachment which means 30% of the time your parents got it right
• 
  
• What do these attachment styles look like in adulthood
• 
  
• Is it possible to have ALL the attachment styles?
• 
  
• The goal isn’t necessarily to completely change your attachment style, but to use your understanding of your own to better manage your relationships
• 
  
• Couples need to be experts on interpreting each other
• 
  
• We don’t heal alone. Community and relationships are vital to healing.
• 
  

You can find Patricia Lamas Alvarez online at:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/patricialamastherapy/?hl=en

Learn more about Patricia's offerings at: https://securelycoupledtherapy.com/

Dr. Courtney Tracy’s additional offerings:

Instagram: @the.truth.doctor

TikTok: @the.truth.doctor

Twitter: @_thetruthdoctor

Exclusive YouTube Show: The Truth Doctor Show

Healing texts: USA & Canada (424) 228-9525

Website: www.thetruthdoctor.com

This podcast is not therapy and does not provide personalized clinical advice. The purpose of this podcast is to provide mental health based entertainment and psychoeducation