It’s Not Therapy!

Was I Assaulted? When Mental Illness Complicates Consent

LISTENER DISCRETION ADVISED. 
The Perfect Storm: dishonesty, violating consent, borderline personality disorder, gender issues and complex sexual politics - therapist "Poppy" and her partner Zena navigated all this together over one Christmas break.  Liana hears their story, which is heartbreaking and, ultimately, uplifting.
Note: the complete, unedited interview with Poppy and Zena has been posted as a bonus episode, out of respect for the right of trauma survivors to be fully heard.

Are You Being 'Creepy'?

When applied to old dark houses or Scooby-Doo villains, we know what the word 'creepy' means. But what does it mean when it's weaponized against men and women? It can lead to ostracism, fear and worse. Liana talks to It's Not Therapy community facilitator Jake about how & why 'creepy' is perceived, why it's become so powerful a word and how to handle it when you get labeled.

Bad Reactions to Boundaries

Do people blow up when you set boundaries? Boundaries are emotional 'guard rails' that have the ability to make us feel secure, happier and more fulfilled. Liana uses her personal experiences to illustrate how to establish better boundaries and why they are essential four our mental wellbeing... even when people react terribly to them.

Liars!

Within today's political battles and social media landscape, it seems that lying is on the rise. And not even good lies, but obvious ones! Liana delves into the different motivations for lying (they're not all bad), how to confront possible liars and how to handle it when you've been caught lying! Also - Jedis!

In-Your-Face Racism and How to Deal With It

Racism and bigotry are making a comeback - or at least, they're speaking much louder. We know that millions of Canadians face overt prejudice every day, but do we know what that feels like? Liana talks to award-winning Canadian-Chinese author Derwin Mak about the overt and subtle anti-Asian ignorance he's faced for decades and how he deals with it. Plus, how not to hate...Hate.

Caregiving: Mental Health and Your Relationships

'We're in this together' - Mental illness affects not just the individual, but their friends, loved ones and especially their partner. Dr. David T. Culkin, co-author (with his wife Michaela) of OCD and Marriage, has had obsessive-compulsive disorder throughout his ongoing 28 year marriage. Liana talks to David about the need for honesty, respect and compromise in a partnership with someone with mental health challenges.

You're Not Broken!

Really, you're not! But you *are* facing a difficult life challenge that has you feeling overwhelmed. Liana talks to psychotherapist Jennifer Gerlach, author of the Psychosis & Mental Health Recovery Workbook, about how to overcome your overwhelm and live a better life.

What To Do When You Make A Big Mistake?

Mistakes are inevitable, but they don't have to be insurmountable. Liana shares personal stories of her own mistakes, how & why she compounded some and learned to turn mistakes into something positive.
Hear how childhood trauma, parents, friends and our work & home environments can influence what mistakes we make and how we process them - and how to turn those mistakes into fuel for positive growth.
 
A special extended version of this episode with extra information

INT ep 72- Gratitude: when it’s good and when it’s bad

Over the holidays we're encouraged to be grateful for what we have, and sometimes, that's not a request, it's a demand. While feeling sincerely grateful is good for mental health, no one ever feels gratitude by force. Liana goes through where the lines are, and why gratitude can become resentment when it's not freely given.

INT ep 71 - When Life Isn’t Fair

Sometimes life isn't fair. So what do we do? Liana takes listeners through the science of how the brain responds to unfairness, and how to deal with it like a hero instead of a villain!