Wisdom for Wellbeing: Mind-Body Psychology and Somatic Skills for Healing and Growth

This World Mental Health Day, I wanted to share something a little more personal. In this episode, I talk about my own journey, including the challenges that first drew me to psychology and how somatic approaches became the integration point for so many things I’d been seeking in my own healing. I also reflect on what it means to be with ourselves in moments of struggle, when asking for help feels impossibly hard, and when the parts of us that carry shame or fear feel especially loud. This isn’t a clinical episode; it’s a human one. You’ll hear about the realities that shaped my path, why The Somatic Workbook for Nervous System Regulation and Anxiety Management is so close to my heart, and how the process of connecting body, mind, and compassion can help us move toward healing. We also explore the difference between self-soothing and self-care, and how both can open the door to deeper work, the kind that supports real integration and long-term regulation. Listen in if you’ve ever wondered why caring for your nervous system matters, or if you simply need a gentle reminder that you’re not alone on your journey. — 📘 Pre-order The Somatic Workbook and get the bonus bundle: drkaitlin.com/somaticworkbook 🤍 Connect with me on Instagram: @drkaitlin | Website: drkaitlin.com

Have you ever noticed that you tend to get sick right after a stressful period, like finishing a big project or navigating emotional upheaval? In this episode of Wisdom for Wellbeing, Dr. Kaitlin explores the science behind self-compassion and how somatic practices (like soothing touch, breathwork, and gentle movement)can reduce stress, boost vagal tone, and support immune function. Drawing on psychoneuroimmunology and Dr. Kristen Neff’s three components of self-compassion (mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness), she explains practical, embodied steps to interrupt the stress-illness cycle and cultivate resilience. You’ll learn: How chronic stress and self-criticism impact immune function Why cultivating compassion and body-based awareness can buffer against illness The link between vagal tone, emotional regulation, and immune resilience Somatic practices to gently support your nervous system when you feel run down or overwhelmed Dr. Kaitlin also shares a personal story about preparing for the upcoming book launch and having to lean on the very tools we teach when things didn’t go as planned. If you’ve ever wondered how emotions “get under the skin,” this episode will help you understand the science behind self-compassion and how tending to your body’s signals can nurture both mental and physical wellbeing.   Resources & Links: 📖 The Somatic Workbook: For Nervous System Regulation and Anxiety Management is now available for pre-order.  Pre-launch bonus bundle available for a limited time: Guided meditations to help you stay present and embodied without flipping through the text A video mini-course walking you through foundational somatic skills step-by-step A reflective journal to support integration and daily practice Pre-order now and go in the draw to win a Shakti mat. There will be one giveaway in Adelaide and another open to any English-speaking country. Draws will happen October 18th. Head to drkaitlin.com/somaticworkbook for more details.     🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the Wisdom for Wellbeing podcast for more conversations on nervous system regulation, mindfulness, and embodied psychology.   Follow along: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube — @drkaitlin Website: drkaitlin.com

Have you ever had a “gut feeling” or noticed your heart racing before a big event? Those are examples of interoception, your body’s ability to sense what’s happening inside. In this episode, Dr. Kaitlin Harkess explores interoception, the fascinating inner sense that helps us notice signals like hunger, thirst, heart rate, and emotional states. Understanding and strengthening this skill can help us manage stress, regulate emotions, and connect more deeply with ourselves. We’ll cover: What interoception is and how it influences physical and emotional wellbeing The link between interoception and alexithymia (difficulty identifying and describing feelings) How trauma and stress can disrupt body awareness, and how to begin restoring connection Simple, practical strategies to tune into your body’s cues, from mindful breathing to everyday check-ins Ways interoceptive awareness can improve sleep, relationships, and decision-making Whether you’re new to the concept or curious to deepen your practice, this episode offers practical guidance for listening to your body and responding with compassion rather than judgment. ✨ Resources: Pre-order The Somatic Workbook for guided practices to support nervous system regulation Connect with me on Instagram: @drkaitlin 💌 If you found this episode helpful, please share it with a friend or leave a review — it really helps others discover the podcast. And before you move on with your day, take a moment to pause… What is your body telling you right now?

Anxiety can feel like racing thoughts, a pounding heart, or even a sense of shutting down completely. But what if these experiences aren’t personal flaws? What if they’re your nervous system working to protect you? In this episode of Wisdom for Wellbeing, Dr. Kaitlin N. Harkess introduces a compassionate, body-based way of understanding anxiety through the lens of Polyvagal Theory. Together, we’ll explore how your nervous system shifts between states of safety, fight-or-flight, and shutdown; and why awareness of these shifts is the first step toward resilience. You’ll also be guided through a gentle grounding practice and learn everyday strategies to support your nervous system, from breathwork and movement to co-regulation and lifestyle anchors inspired by yoga philosophy. Whether you’ve experienced anxiety personally, support others in your work, or simply want to better understand your own body’s wisdom, this episode offers practical tools and compassionate insights to help you navigate overwhelm with greater ease. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why anxiety is a protective nervous system response, not a flaw The basics of the autonomic nervous system: fight, flight, freeze, and rest How Polyvagal Theory explains three key states: ventral vagal, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal A guided reflection to notice and shift your state in the moment Practical strategies to regulate and build resilience: breath, movement, connection, and lifestyle anchors 📖 Mentioned in this episode: The Somatic Workbook — pre-order now! 💌 Stay connected with Kaitlin: Website: @drkaitlin

After a two-year pause, Wisdom for Wellbeing is back! Yey! We’re kicking off with a brand-new series: Somatic Sessions. In this first episode, you'll learn what’s been happening behind the scenes and why we're dedicating an entire season to exploring the mind–body connection. You’ll learn: What somatics really means (and why it’s more than just a wellness buzzword) How interoception acts as your inner compass for self-awareness and regulation The basics of polyvagal theory and how it maps your nervous system states A simple guided practice to help you tune into your body right now Whether you’re a practitioner, a wellbeing enthusiast, or simply curious about why our bodies hold on to certain patterns, this episode offers research-backed insights and practical tools you can use straight away.   Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.  "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode! If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.

You’re about to listen to the 100th episode of Wisdom for Wellbeing! It feels perfectly suited that we’ll be talking about the research evidence of yoga, what conditions are benefited from yoga, what styles are best, and when folks should actually avoid yoga. We'll be covering: Yoga as a non-pharmacological, multimodal therapeutic and preventative lifestyle Understand different styles of yoga and the benefits of these Consider what yoga practice suits different health concerns The power of breathing practices How you can use yoga philosophy as a health practice Considerations of the risk/safety of yoga A bit more about today's guest:   Holger Cramer, PhD is full professor for research in complementary medicine at the University of Tübingen, Germany, as well as Adjunct Associate Professor at the Southern Cross University in Lismore, Australia. He further is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine (JICM; formerly JACM), and President of the International Society for Traditional, Complementary, & Integrative Medicine Research (ISCMR). Holger has published more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific journal articles on the utilization, efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological interventions. He is a clinical psychologist, medical scientist and state-licensed naturopath, and holds an honorary doctorate in yoga from S-VYASA University in India.   Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode! If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.

This is the 99th episode of the Wisdom for Wellbeing podcast. In this episode, I am joined by my lovely friend and colleague, Kate Matthew. This was a really fun episode, and we did things a little differently in that Kate decided to switch things up and interview me! We talked about everything from how the podcast began at the beginning of the pandemic, my PhD research, and psychological flexibility. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!   Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode! If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.

In this episode, I talk you through finding a balance between spending time with loved ones while taking care of yourself by focusing on your values this holiday season.    Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode! If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.

In this episode, I interview Dr Louise Hayes, Clinical Psychologist, author, speaker and active humanitarian. Louise discusses how we can navigate the many changes we are experiencing as a society, from the pandemic to climate change to all of the many personal changes we may experience. She provides insight into what it means to be psychologically 'strong' and shares some wisdom from her new book 'What Makes you Stronger' on practical ways to cope with change and uncertainty.  Connect with Dr. Louise Hayes at www.louisehayes.com.au Head to www.drkaitlin.com for further show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode! If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.

  “Ultimately, happiness comes down to choosing between the discomfort of becoming aware of your mental afflictions and the discomfort of being ruled by them.” – Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche   Welcome to the sixteenth episode of Season Five of Wisdom for Wellbeing Podcast.   What is covered in this episode: >>Consideration of what your thoughts are >>The difference between your internal reality and the external reality >>The hot-cross-bun of your thoughts and feelings >>The common thinking eros of your mind (e.g., blowing things up, ignoring the good and fortune telling) >>How to understand helpful and unhelpful thoughts >>How negative thinking cycles lead to depression    Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

In this episode, Rosemary Wanganeen talks through her path of healing from loss and grief. What is covered in this episode: >>Introduction to Rosemary and her 30 years + of experience doing this GriefologyTM  work >>The path of healing through the 'intuitive research' that required Rosemary to cultivate wisdom, connect to ancestral wisdom and integrate her counselling skills >>Understanding victimised inner child states and grief triggers >>Exploring how grief presents >>The Seven Phases to Integrating Loss and Grief, and where we can start our journey from victimhood to empowerment Links Discussed Connect with Rosemary at lossandgrief.com.au Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

In this episode, I discuss cultivating skills to navigate panic attacks using a values-based framework.  What was specifically discussed:  What a panic attack is and some IRL examples Discussion around how Panic Disorder develops following a panic attack Consideration of Agoraphobia (the fear of leaving one’s house) and how it develops Tools to help get through a panic attack and Agoraphobia, including values, acceptance, defusion skills, distraction skills, and breathing techniques Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode! If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.

In this episode, Dr Val Rytova discusses Yoga form a Neuroscience perspective.  What was specifically discussed:  A basic overview of neuroanatomy and the role of structure, function and brain circuits  Consideration of what neuroplasticity means and how internal and external (environmental) elements impact it An understanding of how can yoga support neuroplasticity Consideration of yoga’s role in cultivating cognitive performance and buffering against mental disorders Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

In this episode, Dr Lisa Myers describes her experience of story-sharing while experiencing grief from the loss of a loved one.    What was specifically discussed:  Introduction to Lisa (psychiatrist and author of the book When the Light Goes Out) How Lisa navigated personal grief and trauma as a psychiatrist, who has been trained to support people in navigating mental health challenges- Consideration of the spiral of grief experientially Tools Lisa used to navigate grief and trauma in her journey Why suffering shows up differently for everyone Advice to listeners about when they should reach out for help Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

It’s Mental Health Week, let’s dive into the most cost-effective mental health practice, breathwork.   Here’s what was covered in this week’s episode:  You can control your breath, as it rests on the border of the conscious and unconscious. Stress turns on your fight or flight response, which is an unconscious evolutionary response. You can perceive neutral stimuli as threats (like a text message), because inflammation in your body is communicated as danger to your brain. Diaphragmatic breathing can stimulate your vagus nerve and induce a relaxation response, which influences neural, endocrine and immune processes. Nasal breathing has evolutionary value and can help you cultivate relaxation. You can cultivate a relaxation response through deliberate breathing practice. Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

In this episode, I discuss cultivating confidence in novel or nerve-racking situations.   What I covered: -       The evolutionary element of why you want security and social approval -       Confidence comes after action -       You need to be willing to fail to find success -       Self-esteem is a modern fallacy -       Self-compassion is what supports mental health -       Doing hard things teaches you can do hard things -       Learning to ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway.’   Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and honorary visiting Prof at the University of Queensland. Until his retirement from the NHS in 2016 he was Consultant Clinical Psychologist for over 40 years. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology with a special focus on mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed.    What we discuss in this episode:  -3 flows of compassion (receiving for others, for yourself) -Why compassion needs to have a political focus -The danger of self-compassion falling into neo-liberalism -Mutual flourishing as an intention in a world that does have cruelty, violence and hatred -Practices to cultivate compassion in your mind and body Make sure to listen to the previous episode where Professor Gilbert shared more about compassion as an active, courageous and wise practice, your ‘tricky brain’, and why learning to fail is important Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and honorary visiting Prof at the University of Queensland. Until his retirement from the NHS in 2016 he was Consultant Clinical Psychologist for over 40 years. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology with a special focus on mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed.    What we discuss in this episode:  -   An introduction to Professor Paul Gilbert and how he came to develop CFT -   Consideration of compassion as an active, courageous and wise practice -   What does it mean that we have a 'tricky brain'? -   Why learning to fail is important   Tune in next week to hear about the 3 flows of compassion (receiving for others, for yourself), about the need for compassion to have a political focus, and to learn a practices to cultivate compassion in mind and body Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

Did you know that your body and voice influence your mental state, and very much influence how people perceive you? This means it is important to learn how they all work together - your mind-body-voice connection. In this episode, I interview Dr Louise Mahler on how you can cultivate what she calls Vocal Intelligence wisdom.   We specifically discuss: -   How anxiety influences and is influenced by your voice -   Why you should use your lower body to cultivate power, rather than your neck and head -   An exploration of the natural capacity you were born with for singing and communication -   The need for congruent hand gestures in communication -   How your voice connects you viscerally to other beings -   Breathing practices you can use to cultivate diaphragmatic control -   How your personality is your voice, and your voice is your inspiration -   What it means to bring your individual resonance to the world Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

In this episode, Lauren Thiel talks about financial well being through a social justice and neurodiverse-inclusive lens. Lauren Thiel is founder of boutique accounting firm, The Real Thiel. A Chartered Accountant and Tax Agent, with a passion for the arts, Lauren is on a mission to educate, empower and motivate creative small business owners. What’s covered in this episode: - Lauren’s journey from the sparkles and spins of ballet to becoming an accountant for creatives and a student of psychology with social justice motives in supporting individuals in navigating financial trauma and the like - How neurodiversity influences individual’s financial struggles and strengths, and how Lauren has found a way to cater to this - How ‘time blindness’ and difficult emotions like shame and disgust can get in the way of doing tasks associated with finances - What financial wellness is and consideration around how budgets do and do not work - The steps to taking yourself out on a date and why rewards along the way work - Where a date with an accountant is the perfect move, and options for individuals in serious financial toil Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

This episode is a mini-coaching session to start you on your gratitude journey. The practice of gratitude has a host of psychological and physical health benefits, yet isn’t too demanding of time and energy. Have a listen and get started developing a practice of gratitude that works for you.   What’s covered in this episode:   Gratitude Journaling Consideration of gratitude and journaling practices The evolutionary history of your negativity bias How gratitude and compassion operate Consideration of starting a gratitude practice Gratitude Journaling, letters of gratitude, and the ol’ Netflix and gratitude You can grab the gratitude journaling prompts below, and download a gratitude tracking diary here Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

Welcome to a mini coaching session on how you can cultivate ritual in your life. Essentially, intention matters. We’ll also chat about setting up an altar, and how that can be impactful for you in your routine of ritual.   What’s covered in this episode: - Habit takes less energy than doing something and a sense of it being done in ritual brings sacredness can bring present moment awareness and aliveness to your activity - An example of how you can build ritual into your morning - How an alter can be used like a transient object is used in therapy (i.e., extending the emotional connection) - The meaning of the five elements on the altar and what they psychologically symbolize (grab this free downloadable PDF to help you set up your elemental alter) Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

Curious about how habits are created? Are you looking to develop more self-compassion in your habit-cultivation journey? How to build habits in a neurodiversity-friendly way?  My guest Dr Hayden Finch, is a licensed clinical psychologist, behaviour change expert, and dessert enthusiast. Hayden beautifully shares their wisdom around habit building, self-compassion, and neurodiversity with us in this episode.  You may find this interview an important resource in your own journey of navigating your different seasons and self-experimentation.  What’s covered in this episode: High-achievers often know the habits they “should” have, yet struggle to implement The three parts of a habit we need to know to make effective changes How relief is often the reward for unhealthy habits How we can start to cultivate healthy habits by ensuring they are smaller Why failure is normal, and how to meet this with compassion How long it takes to create a habit (jokes! Dr Finch explains it varies.) Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

What does Pride mean to you? Gender and sexuality? Do you understand them as fluid? Are you actively working towards cultivating communities of liberation? My guest Chris Sheridan (Grant), The Queer Therapist, is a non-binary trans Psychotherapist; Sex and Relationship Therapist; and Diversity Equality, and Inclusion Consultant. They beautifully share their wisdom around gender, sexuality and relationship diversity with us in this episode.  You may find this interview an important resource in your own journey of navigating shame and stigma to acceptance. It is also a brilliant resource for those who want to show up as allies. What’s covered in this episode: Introduction to Chris and their journey navigating the mental exhaustion and emotional labour of their workplace as a trans person – even with all the skills they had as a trained therapist! Pride as not just a time of celebration, but as a time of reflection and consideration how we want to move forward in the year ahead> Introduction to the internal experience of gender, not as the external and assigned label of sex Consideration of pronoun usage in affirming and sensitive ways Consideration of sexuality and relationship identity, and how this can shift over time The importance of cultivating community within a culture that can be challenging in ones’ experience of gender, relationship and sexual identity diversity The importance of understanding one’s privilege and the commodity of the rainbow flag in one’s efforts to practice allyship What brave spaces are, and how they are important alongside safe spaces Subscribe and grab free resources to cultivate a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.   With thanks to Chris Sheridan for the wisdom they shared.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

In this episode, I give an overview of the topics that were covered in this season that can help support you live a vital life in alignment with you and your goals. This season, there are topics that can help support you navigate your personal experiences with neurobiological traits and states, parenting, awareness, and lifestyles.    Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you in cultivating a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.    "So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."

In this episode, I dive into how the Default Mode Network (DMN) relates to present moment awareness and happiness and contentment. I discuss the evolutionary science of the DMN and why it is so important. I also talk about how to slow down and circumnavigate unhelpful thoughts and how present moment awareness can be trained through mindfulness and meditation practices.    Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

On this episode, I discuss an exploration of spiritual wellness and how it fits in with evidence-based frameworks. A secular type of spirituality can be practised through daily rituals or routines like preparing our morning coffee or drinking a cup of tea.    Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com   

In this episode, Jessica Dore discusses how tarot cards can be used as a psychological tool in creating meaning and finding connections in our lives.  Jessica is a writer interested in meaning-making through symbol and image, with a special focus on Pamela Colman Smith’s art in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot. Her first book, Tarot for Change: Using the Cards for Self-Care, Acceptance and Growth (Penguin Life, 2021) is a set of reflections on the Tarot that draws from the fields of contemporary psychology and behavioral science, among others. It was called “generous, practical and gently radical” by The New York Times Book Review. Jessica's weekly newsletter, Offerings, braids together ideas from a range of fields including but not limited to psychology, philosophy, mythology, folk tales, religion, spirituality and social work with the images, characters and symbols from Smith’s art in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot. Though Jessica hold a masters degree in social work and is licensed as a social worker in Pennsylvania, she does not consider herself a therapist. Prior to social work school, she worked several years in clinical psychology, self-help and behavioral science book publishing, where she spent time with the founders and developers of acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT. What she learned during that time informed much of what went into her book, Tarot for Change, and other writing. These days, she continues to study things that interest her: old stories—especially Mediterranean and western European—behavioral psychology, process and liberation theologies, poetry, ecology, growing vegetables, learning to ride a horse as an adult, and ceramics. She was born and raised on the north shore of Massachusetts and currently lives and work outside of Philadelphia on land that was cared for by the Lenape people for more than 10,000 years prior to European settlement.   Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

Dr Anika Rouf talks about how diet culture can be damaging to our overall health, self-worth and self-respect and can create restrictive cycles that can hold us back from living out our values and what's most important to us. She goes on to talk about how we can be more kind and compassionate to ourselves and live out a non-diet approach.  Dr Anika Rouf is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and is a Media Spokesperson for Dietitians Australia (DA). She has completed her PhD from the University of Sydney. Her PhD investigated the use of social media to improve eating habits of young adults and incorporated the addition of behaviour change techniques. She has published in some of the top tier nutrition journals including Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Nutrients, Appetite, JMIR mHealth and uHealth and Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics. She is passionate about advocating a non-diet approach and helping busy women with finding balance. She also has a particular interest in communicating nutrition using digital platforms and has written pieces for several magazines. Some of her notable work includes being featured on SBS Food, Men’s Muscle and Health, 9 Coach, Channel 7 and Body and Soul. She currently teaches across two universities in Sydney and runs a virtual practice ‘Appetite By Anika’ which is focused on women’s health and disordered eating.    Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

In this episode, Dr Renae Thomas talks about the healing effects of plant-based foods and other healthful lifestyle practices. Dr. Renae Thomas is a board-certified Family Medicine, General Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and Lifestyle Medicine Physician. She completed medical school in Australia at Monash University. Her residency in Family and Preventive Medicine, and Master’s of Public Health in population medicine were completed at Loma Linda University in California. She has also completed an internship at True North Health Center, and yoga teacher training in India. Dr. Thomas served four years on the ACLM Trainee board, with two years as president. She is a published co-author on vegetarianism and cancer, and author of an ACLM and WIC-collaborated guide to healthy eating for less than $4 per day, as well as numerous online, print, and audio content collaborations. Dr. Thomas’ research has been in clinical lifestyle medicine, and lifestyle medicine curricula in medical education. She has presented at numerous conferences on evidence-based and clinically-relevant nutrition and health, both in the USA and internationally. Dr. Thomas’ professional content largely focuses on evidence-based nutritional and lifestyle medicine for both physicians and patients. As a doctor, she strives to be a compassionate and understanding support system to her patients, helping to uncover the root cause of illness, and working with them to achieve their greatest health and happiness.   Shownotes: www.drkailtin.com 

In this episode, I talk about the differences between compassion and empathy and how it is particularly important to cultivate compassion to protect against empathetic fatigue during these difficult times we're experiencing as a collective to support each other while also taking care of our mental health.    Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com  

In this episode, Gina Zimmerman shares her experiences with postnatal depression so openly and transparently. Gina has been teaching yoga and meditation for 20 years. She started practicing while living in New York in her early twenties, and life pivoted almost immediately toward practice: she left for an ashram in Argentina and then returned to complete her first teacher training. She has studied and practiced ever since. Gina upholds an authentic teaching style that is supported by significant depth of knowledge and poetic articulation. She teaches a rigorous alignment-specific class, while also weaving in breath and other subtle body practices. Her teaching is greatly influenced by her meditation practice, and she is recognized for her capacity to assist students in entering deep states of meditation and rest. Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

This episode is particularly fitting Valentine's Day week as Bethany Saltman talks about how the science of attachment can bring us closer to ourselves and those we love. Bethany is an author, editor and researcher, and her work can be seen in magazines like the New Yorker, New York Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, Parents, and many others. Bethany's first book, Strange Situation: A Mother’s Journey Into the Science of Attachment. It’s inspired by the birth of her daughter in 2006, who she loved dearly, but feared she was failing. Why? Because she was still her, and not the kind of mother she’d hoped to become. She spent ten years teaching herself the science of attachment, travelling to labs, trainings, and archives, trying to discover what kind of mother she really was, and if she was good enough for her. What she learned changed everything about how she thought of herself, her childhood, and the nature of love. She is incredibly proud that, among other incredible reviews and accolades, New Scientist called Strange Situation One of the Best Science Books of 2020. She is also a bestselling book coach, helping writers envision and execute their books—from pitch, to platform, to proposal, to publication, to PR. Bethany received a B.A. from Antioch College, where she was one of the architects of the nation’s first Affirmative Consent Policy. She went on to receive her M.F.A in poetry from Brooklyn College, where she studied with Allen Ginsberg and published her work in many national journals. She is honored that Antioch awarded her their 2020 Rebecca Rice Award for Achievement in Profession.   Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com 

Diana Hill, Ph.D. is a modern psychologist, mom, and co-author of ACT Daily Journal: Get unstuck and live fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She is the founder and host of the new podcast show Your LIfe in Process and a co-founder of the Psychologists Off the Clock podcast, blogs for Psychology Today and offers regular teachings in compassion and ACT for clinicians and the general public. Through her online teachings, executive coaching, and private therapy practice Diana encourages clients to let go of unhealthy striving and build psychological flexibility so that they can live more meaningful and fulfilling lives. Diana practices what she preaches in her daily life as a mom of two, homesteader, and yoga teacher. Go to drdianahill.com or her channels on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube (@drdianahill) to get tools to build psychological flexibility into your daily life.   Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

In this episode, we talk about how to support our children with navigating the uncertainty that comes with the pandemic and going back to school. Dr Laura Anderson Kirby's book, "Henrietta's Thistleberry Boots" beautifully illustrates the feelings our children might be experiencing during these unpredictable times. Laura Anderson Kirby, Ph.D. is a children’s book author inspired by her work as child clinical psychologist and her experience raising two young, spirited children. She completed her undergraduate degree at Duke University, where she majored in Psychology and minored in English. She then spent two years in training at the Yale Child Study Center, followed by a five-year Developmental/Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Maryland. Laura then returned to the Yale Child Study Center to complete her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship. Currently, she is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in North Carolina. Laura’s passion is to promote child mental health and social-emotional learning through her writing and her practice, to help spirited and neurodiverse children feel understood, and to inspire societal acceptance of all kinds of people—because the world needs them!    Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com 

In this episode, Dr Patricia E. Zurita Ona, also known as Dr Z, discusses how perfectionist and high achieving tendencies can be balanced and modified.  Dr Z is a Psychologist by training. She has authored six books, co-authored two books, conducted over 140 workshops at national and international conferences, runs a boutique practice, and absolutely loves to create resources for every client she works with. In 2019, Dr Z was nominated as a Fellow of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Sciences (ACBS) for her contributions to the dissemination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy skills for particular unworkable behavioural patterns.   Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com   

In this episode we will be exploring 3 strategies for your most stress relieving yoga practice. This is an important conversation if you have heard about yoga for stress reduction… yet find something gets in the way of you actually getting on the mat. If you’d like to learn more about using yoga as a mindfulness and acceptance-based psychological practice to transform your anxious overwhelm into peace and purpose, my empowering course Yoga Brain 101 might be for you! Head to www.drkaitlin.com/yogabrain to learn more about it.

In this episode, the conversation focuses on supporting parents to take care of themselves, so that they can better nurture their children. Dr Renee Cachia is an experienced Australian psychologist with a passion for empowering children, adolescents, and their parents to reach their full potential. As a bestselling published author with a PhD in psychology and her own private practice, she is best known for her ability to uniquely integrate her research and clinical skills to help change and enrich lives with compassion. Parenting Freedom is the book she has long dreamed of writing. Learn more at reneecachia.com.   Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

In this episode I speak with Thomas Anderson, the author of “The Vulnerable Man – Break your patterns. Master your emotions. Reclaim your life.” Thomas has extensive experience from global companies as a project manager, change manager, and management consultant. In 2015 his life changed, trapped in an emotional prison, stuck in the digital stress and he was on the brink of burnout. That was a starting point and over three years he completely turned his life around. He did many changes with setting boundaries, change in life style, working out more and found ways to let his body to release stress. One key thing he learns that made a big difference was what it meant to be a highly sensitive person. This made him understand and letting go of emotions, feelings and the limiting patterns and breaking out of that emotional prison. Now he shares his journey and experiences in his book and in lectures. He wants to help creating awareness about how to create a sustainable life and working life in times of change.   Please note as a warning, there is discussion about suicidal ideation in this episode. If you feel distressed at any point while listening, please contact Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 or your local emergency department.    Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

In this episode, I discuss healthy ways to develop and maintain habits for the New Year and beyond. New Year's Resolutions can be difficult to keep up with, so it's important to be kind to ourselves and adapt the ways we integrate habits into our lives with routines that already exist.      Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

Dr Joey developed and validated one of world’s first psychometric scales that solely focuses on the construct of equanimity - The Equanimity Barriers Scale [EBS] in 2018. His research (spanning 6 years) includes operational definitions of inner and outer equanimity relevant for clinical psychology, theoretical models of judgement and the validation of the EBS. He has recently published a book entitled 'Why Mindfulness is not Enough: Unlocking Compassion with Equanimity', which is an overview of his research and includes case studies and guided meditations in order to bring equanimity down from the mystical and into the lap of the practical.   Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

Andrew McGonigle has been studying anatomy for over twenty years, originally training to become a doctor and then moving away from Western medicine to become a yoga teacher, massage therapist and anatomy teacher. He combines all of his skills and experience to teach anatomy and physiology on Yoga Teacher Training courses internationally and runs his own Yoga Anatomy Online Courses. His new book Supporting Yoga Students with Common Injuries and Conditions: A Handbook for Yoga Teachers and Trainees was published in March 2021. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband. Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

On this episode, we will be speaking with Jennifer Kemp about the fears that underlie perfectionism and how to navigate these experiences with self-compassion. Jennifer is a Clinical Psychologist who has a special interest in perfectionism from both her own experience and through the work she does with clients. Jennifer integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), clinical behaviour analysis, and exposure with self-compassion in her work. In her private practice in Adelaide, Australia, Jennifer sees clients struggling with chronic illness, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, trauma, grief and loss. Jennifer has a background in leadership coaching and facilitation and provides supervision to Clinical Registrars and experienced practitioners. She is the author of “The ACT Workbook for Perfectionism” for New Harbinger, due for release in December 2021.

Thank you for joining us this season. Season 3 was jam-packed with a range of wonderful guests and topics. On this episode, I discuss an overview of all the topics we covered and where you can find them.     Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com 

In this episode, Dr Nicole Beurkens talks about children’s mental health and how that’s connected to the foods they’re eating, their movement, and screen time use. Nicole goes on to discuss the importance of modelling the lifestyle we want for our children. She also discusses the importance of parents and caregivers practicing self-care to be able to support the young people in their lives. Nicole is a doctoral licensed clinical psychologist with advanced degrees in psychology, education, and nutrition (in addition to being the mother of 4 children). Dr Nicole Beurkens is a leading holistic child psychologist with a dedicated 22+ year career in providing parents with simple, effective, research-based strategies that get to the root of children’s attention, anxiety, mood, and behavior challenges so they can reach their highest potential.    Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com 

In this episode, Todd Henry discusses what it means to be an accidental creative. Just by existing in this modern-day and finding inspiration in exploring how to create a meaningful life personal to you, makes you a creative. Todd discusses how to hone in a sense of focus by reconnecting with our sense of self by the practice of disconnecting for as long as it takes for us to feel uncomfortable. Todd is the author of 4 books: The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder Than Words, and Hurting Tigers. He has spoken and consulted across dozens of industries on creativity, leadership, and passion for work. Since 2005, Todd has been the host of his podcast, The Accidental Creative, where he shares weekly tips for how to stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy.   Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

​​In this episode, I talk with Daniel Ahearn and am really excited about this interview as Attachment Theory underpins all psychological work, while the mindfulness-based interventions so commonly offered have their home in Buddhist wisdom. Daniel is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), with a counselling degree in addiction (CADAC). He has over 18 years of meditation studies and is currently pursuing a doctorate (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica and post-graduate study of IPF (Ideal Parent Figure) under the supervision of Dr Daniel P. Brown. Daniel Ahearn offers a rich introduction to the relationship of Buddhist practices and attachment theory for the purpose of healing attachment strategies that may no longer be working. His compassion and calm are evident in this interview, offering a window into what might be experienced as one explores this path.   Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com

In this episode, Dr Delia McCabe rejoins us to discuss how we can support the kids in our lives to eat well. Delia’s research focus shifted from Clinical Psychology to Nutritional Neuroscience upon discovering nutrition’s critical role in mental wellbeing. Her research into female stress has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals and she’s a regular expert in the media. She also has two books: Feed Your Brain and Feed Your Brain: The Cookbook, when you’re looking for some inspiration for strategies about how to get delicious and nutritious foods onto your little one’s plate - including chocolate and tacos.       Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com     

In this episode, Marlysa Sullivan discusses how Polyvagal Theory and Yoga are related. Polyvagal Theory is a Western framework introduced by Dr Steven Porges that relates to the nervous system, including what Dr Porges calls the social engagement system. Marlysa discusses the overlap between Eastern and Western philosophy and science and how Gunas, emotional states from Yogic philosophy, pair well with Polyvagal Theory. Marlysa is a physiotherapist and yoga therapist with over 15 years of experience working with people suffering from chronic pain conditions. She is also an author and Assistant Professor in Yoga therapy and Integrative Health sciences at the Maryland University of Integrative Health.   Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com