Drew picks up where he left off last week, back from the holidays and feeling somewhat unmotivated and withdrawn. In the session, Drew and Doug discuss the difference between feeling depressed and a depressive episode. They talk about Drew’s need to withdraw and how it might be exactly what he needs at this moment, as he works on being okay with himself, instead of trying to please others. Doug uses his gear analogy to help Drew see that he can bring out different aspects of his personality with different people in his life, rather than find it all in one. Meredith proclaims that to really love her is to appreciate her long term love of hip hop.
Bonnie is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Los Angeles. She is an instructor for graduate students in the LGBT Specialization Psychology program at Antioch University. Although her specialty is working with the LGBTQ community and people in the entertainment industry, she also assists clients in managing and/or overcoming anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, painful relationship patterns, creative blocks, co-dependency, love and sex addiction, issues with intimacy and low self-esteem.
Bonnie received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Emerson College and a Masters in Clinical Psychology degree from Antioch University with a specialization in LGBT psychology.
Doug Friedman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker that has spent nearly 20 years working with adults, adolescents and families with issues ranging from depression and anxiety to substance abuse, bipolar disorder and PTSD. He has supervised a program at a community mental health agency that serves severely emotionally disturbed youth and their families in Los Angeles. He continues to provide clinical supervision to therapists and associates in his private group practice, Clear Mind Full Heart in Los Angeles.
Doug received a Masters in Social Work from The Catholic University of America and a BA in Study of Religion from UCLA. Before becoming a psychotherapist, Doug worked for a music management company that oversaw bands like Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Beastie Boys, and Bonnie Raitt. Doug is also the artist and songwriter behind all the music heard on the podcast.
Meredith Levy is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of California and holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. Over the last ten years she has worked with many different populations, and feels most at home working in addiction, personality disorders and mood disorders. Meredith specializes in Dialectical
Behavioral Therapy (DBT). Meredith worked with inner-city youth as a bi-lingual therapist for the Department of Mental Health in Los Angeles County. Not only has Meredith worked at a variety of different drug and alcohol treatment centers throughout California, she was also the co- founder of a large treatment facility in Northern California.
Meredith's extensive education and background as an attorney and an MBA gives her a unique perspective and a fresh approach to elevating personal growth. In addition, she is a certified yoga instructor and believes that the spiritual, physical and emotional aspects of the self are important components of the therapeutic process.
[3:31] Meredith got her first jab of the vaccine and her only side effects were fatigue and a sore arm, so far…
[6:38] Session Begins
[8:09] Drew talks about his friend leaving town for a month, and how he feels like he’s just killing time until he gets back. He and Doug talk about the difference between a depressive episode and times when you feel depressed or down. There is a spectrum. Drew may be feeling kind of “blah” right now, but it’s not as severe as the depression he’s felt in the past.
[10:13] Drew shares that he went to church and a friend asked why he sat alone. Doug helps Drew explore the differences between being alone and feeling lonely.
[11:08] Drew feels like his community and group of friends isn’t as large as it used to be, but acknowledges that it’s about quality vs. quantity - unlike most of social media!
[14:16] Drew describes feeling like he is starting over with his job and career, while feeling disconnected from the things that are most important to him in life. Doug reminds him that his superpower comes from being authentic and vulnerable.
[19:11] Drew is working on strengthening his self confidence by diving deeper into really knowing himself and being okay with all the sides of his personality.
[23:27] Doug brings up the analogy of shifting gears to show that Drew can have depth and versatility as a human with many gears, rather than limiting himself to the gear he thinks his friends expect from him.
[27:05] You don’t need a “perfect” person in other people’s view, and the best friends in your inner circle will appreciate you with all the different gears you have.
[28:15] Session ends.
[29:23] Meredith feels Drew when he describes the winter months contributing to an overall dreary and non-motivated feeling. Seasonal Affective Disorder is real, and it definitely affects your mood!
[32:16] Meredith loves that Drew wanted to find the middle ground between giving trust away blindly and making everyone around him earn his trust.
[37:00] Meredith can relate to Drew realizing he’s looking for friends that can appreciate his two sides of being energetic and more low key. To be Mer’s good friend, you’ve got to appreciate that she’ll be listening to hip hop well into her older years!
[38:40] Despite calling out NASCAR, Doug nailed the gear analogy with Drew. It helped him see that you don’t have to compromise yourself to have a solid identity.
[46:02] Doug has a moment with NASCAR - turn right you freaks!
[50:11] Wondering what “bae” stands for? It’s not short for baby, it’s “before anyone else!”
Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group
Meredith Levy
Doug Friedman
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