This week, Doug and Meredith talk about the sensationalism of Bambi and how seeing traumatic events can be very impactful. In the session, Drew says he’s been future tripping and past tripping - and not being present in the here and now. In the breakdown, Doug and Meredith explore concepts of motivation, confidence, and self-worth, as they came up for Drew in the session.
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.
[2:38] Doug and Meredith talk about the sensationalism of Bambi and how seeing traumatic events can be very impactful.
[7:08] Meredith enjoys having her sister’s dogs at her place.
[9:28] Session begins
[10:56] Drew says he’s been future tripping and past tripping - and not being present in the here and now.
[2:02] Drew had a conversation with his ex-girlfriend for the first time in six weeks. And that didn’t trip him - he sees the progression.
[3:43] Doug helps Drew explore his “non-motivated mindset.” They look at the ideas of self-confidence and confidence.
[8:22] Drew references the 5 Love Languages when looking at how he feels validation for himself from how others.
[10:44] Drew shares an experience with mom two years ago at home when she was using and verbalizing suicidal thoughts. It was the first time in his history that he could separate her negative experience from his self-worth.
I’m always here for you, but I can’t do this for you.
[16:00] Doug helps Drew make a connection to his brother and they explore their relationship that was strained since childhood.
[21:12] Drew notices the shift in mindset about attending his brother’s wedding from focusing on his ex-girlfriend to showing up as himself.
[27:39] Doug and Drew explore the idea of knowing your own character, and as long as you know your character, everything else will be okay because you’re being your true, authentic self.
[39:09] Session ends. Breakdown begins
[39:26] Meredith and Doug unpack the lack of motivation that can take us out of the present - thus the future and past tripping.
[42:34] Confidence can come from other people, but self-confidence comes from your own self. Doug breaks down the internal process and how we look for external validation to strengthen it in ourselves.
[45:25] Meredith heard Drew bringing up the five Love Languages, so Doug and Meredith discuss the book and concept.
[49:22] Meredith digs into Drew’s mom’s history in rehab and how her struggles affected Drew. They highlight how Drew’s growth now has him finding compassion for her and not having his well-being dependent on her being okay.
[54:37] As the wedding approaches, Meredith hears how the more Drew strengthens himself as an individual, he is less affected by how others are. In that way, his self-worth doesn’t depend on mom being clean or getting loaded at the wedding.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Your Mental Breakdown - The Facebook Group
Meredith Levy
Doug Friedman
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