Thoughts on Record: Podcast of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

• Dr. James Cordova - The Mindful Path to Intimacy

  Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Clinicians will often hear their clients express deeply felt needs, only to admit they’ve never shared them with their partner—usually due to fear of vulnerability or a defensive, adversarial dynamic that makes intimacy feel unsafe.  In today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. James Cordova—Professor of Psychology at Clark University and creator of The Relationship Checkup—to discuss his new book, The Mindful Path to Intimacy. Dr. Cordova’s book offers a powerful framework for understanding and transforming these relational patterns through the lens of mindfulness, compassion, and shared vulnerability.In our conversation, we explore:Why intimacy is often more terrifying than people expect—and why it’s worth the riskHow mindfulness can serve as both a spiritual and relational practiceThe idea that attention is the most basic form of loveWhy many couples shift from infatuation to frustration, and what can be done about itHow interpersonal neurobiology helps us understand the push-pull of closeness and withdrawalWays to navigate shame, trauma histories, and fear of being fully seen in loveWhat distinguishes couples who flourish from those who simply coexist. Dr. James Cordova is a Professor of Psychology at Clark University and the creator of The Relationship Checkup, a pioneering, preventative intervention designed to assess and strengthen couples’ relationships before problems escalate. He has led major research initiatives—including a $1.3M Department of Defense-funded RCT with Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Cigrang and a $1M NIH grant—demonstrating the model’s effectiveness in both military and civilian populations. As founder and president of Arammu: The Relationship Checkup, Inc., Dr. Cordova is scaling this approach nationwide, training over 1,000 military counselors and integrating the model into primary care. He is the author of The Marriage Checkup, The Story of Mu, and The Mindful Path to Intimacy, the latter of which offers mindfulness-based tools for cultivating emotional and spiritual connection.To learn more about Dr. Cordova and his work, visit:http://www.arammu.comOr check out his latest book, The Mindful Path to Intimacy, from Guilford Press.

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• Dr. James Cordova - The Mindful Path to Intimacy

  Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Clinicians will often hear their clients express deeply felt needs, only to admit they’ve never shared them with their partner—usually due to fear of vulnerability or a defensive, adversarial dynamic that makes intimacy feel unsafe.  In today’s episode, we are joined by Dr. James Cordova—Professor of Psychology at Clark University and creator of The Relationship Checkup—to discuss his new book, The Mindful Path to Intimacy. Dr. Cordova’s book offers a powerful framework for understanding and transforming these relational patterns through the lens of mindfulness, compassion, and shared vulnerability.In our conversation, we explore:Why intimacy is often more terrifying than people expect—and why it’s worth the riskHow mindfulness can serve as both a spiritual and relational practiceThe idea that attention is the most basic form of loveWhy many couples shift from infatuation to frustration, and what can be done about itHow interpersonal neurobiology helps us understand the push-pull of closeness and withdrawalWays to navigate shame, trauma histories, and fear of being fully seen in loveWhat distinguishes couples who flourish from those who simply coexist. Dr. James Cordova is a Professor of Psychology at Clark University and the creator of The Relationship Checkup, a pioneering, preventative intervention designed to assess and strengthen couples’ relationships before problems escalate. He has led major research initiatives—including a $1.3M Department of Defense-funded RCT with Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Cigrang and a $1M NIH grant—demonstrating the model’s effectiveness in both military and civilian populations. As founder and president of Arammu: The Relationship Checkup, Inc., Dr. Cordova is scaling this approach nationwide, training over 1,000 military counselors and integrating the model into primary care. He is the author of The Marriage Checkup, The Story of Mu, and The Mindful Path to Intimacy, the latter of which offers mindfulness-based tools for cultivating emotional and spiritual connection.To learn more about Dr. Cordova and his work, visit:https://relationshipcheckup.comOr check out his latest book, The Mindful Path to Intimacy, from Guilford Press.

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• Dr. Meredith Gansner - Depression, Diagnosis & Digital Culture in Teens

  Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Digital media is changing the way young people experience—and express—mental health struggles, particularly depression. Child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr. Meredith Gansner, joins us to discuss themes in her new book Teen Depression Gone Viral.  🔍 Topics We Explore:What inspired Teen Depression Gone Viral and the choice to focus on digital media’s roleCurrent trends in teen depression—what’s driving the rise?Why are so many teens turning to social media for psychiatric education?How digital culture alters the presentation and self-understanding of depressive symptoms in adolescentsUnderstanding the addictive properties of digital devices and their emotional withdrawal effectsThe risks of social media self-diagnosis—and how clinicians and parents can respondSocial contagion and the viral spread of mental health content onlineEngaging teens who reject a depression diagnosisScreen time: symptom, cause, or both?When online communities are helpful—and when they’re harmfulThe critical role of sleep in teen mental health—and how screens disrupt itThe corrosive impact of pornographyOnline identity-based diagnoses: ADHD, ASD, and the “diagnosis du jour” effectHow social media shapes teens' attitudes toward psychiatric treatmentSetting digital boundaries in ways that foster trust and connectionMeredith E. Gansner, MD is a child and adolescent psychiatrist and Instructor in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Clinically, she works at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she specializes in the evaluation and treatment of youth with mood disorders, self-injurious behaviors, and emerging psychiatric risk profiles.Dr. Gansner’s research centers on the intersection of digital media use and adolescent psychopathology, with a particular focus on how online environments shape the presentation and course of depressive symptoms. She is widely published in the areas of psychiatric misdiagnosis, social contagion, and screen-related mental health trends, and is recognized as a leading expert in how digital culture influences youth mental health. Her new book, Teen Depression Gone Viral, was recently published by Guilford Press.

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• Dr. Heather Wheeler - Perfectionism in High Performers

  Comments or feedback? Send us a text! At first glance, perfectionism looks like an asset; however, the same internal drive that fuels greatness can also erode well-being, leaving success feeling empty and unsatisfying. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Heather Wheeler, psychologist and former elite athlete, to explore the psychology of perfectionism in high achievers. In this conversation we cover: Defining perfectionism: What is it and is it ever adaptive?Early Conditioning: The role of coaches, parents, and social environments in shaping perfectionistic traits.When It Becomes Harmful: How to recognize when a drive towards excellence is tipping into burnout or mental health risk.Identity & Performance: How high performers conflate self-worth with performance—and what happens post-retirement.Working with High Performers: Navigating some of the specific challenges that can come with working with high performers Perception by others: How perfectionistic high performers can be perceived by others in an untoward fashion and what can be done about it Evolutionary Significance: The potential evolutionary origins of perfectionismUnmet Needs: How leveraging awareness of unmet needs, loneliness and a lack of connection within one's broader life can help high performers achieve a higher quality of life Injury & Recovery: How a perfectionistic mindset can both help and hinder the recovery process.Mental Health Risks: Links between perfectionism and anxiety, depression, and eating disorders in high performers.Values: Facilitating effective discussions with high performers in therapeutic, parenting and coaching contexts Heather is one of Canada’s leading experts at the intersection of mental health and high-performance sport. Recognized for her deep knowledge and skill as a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in performance psychology, alongside her passion and enthusiasm for creating change, Heather’s impact is system-wide; including support for athletes, coaches, sport leaders and organizations across all levels of the Canadian sport system. She has been on the leading edge of the evolution of mental health prioritization in sport in recent years, helping build awareness of the unique challenges related to “mental injuries,” including eating disorders. She is adept at driving high-performance cultures through a series of steps and processes that develop the right conditions for people and organizations to grow to their full potential. As Mental Health Lead for Athletics Canada, Swimming Canada and Canadian Sport Institute Ontario, Heather leads the path for early intervention and treatment of athletes and coaches. She is also the psychologist for the HighPerformance Centre – Ontario (HPC-ON), working with the national swim team athletes and coaches and creating a psychologically-informed environment. She has been supporting high-performance and world-class athletes and coaches on their journey up to and including the Olympics and Paralympics since 2008 and is a provider for Game Plan’s Mental Health Network. Heather has over two decades of experience providing psychological assessment and evidence-based treatment to diverse populations, in both private practice and the public healthcare system.  Beyond clinical practice and leadership roles, Heather is a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, known for creating engaging, transformative experiences and workshops related to mental health for high-performers. www.heatherwheeler.com 

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• Dr. Chris Taplin - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

  Comments or feedback? Send us a text! Dr. Chris Taplin,a psychiatrist and founder of Ottawa’s TMS Life clinic, joins us for a deep dive into one of the most promising frontiers in psychiatric care: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, or TMS. As clinicians, many of us have encountered the heartbreak of treatment-resistant depression — watching clients struggle despite best-practice psychotherapy and pharmacology. TMS offers a non-invasive, evidence-based alternative that is reshaping how we approach these cases. In this conversation, we unpack the science, patient experience, clinical decision-making, and broader implications of this technology. Whether you’re a skeptic, a curious clinician, or already working with neuromodulation, I think you’ll find this a thoughtful, grounded look at where TMS fits in the future of mental health treatment.Topics We Cover:🧠 Understanding TMS– What is TMS, and how does it work?– FDA-approved indications vs. emerging off-label uses– How TMS compares to ECT and other neuromodulation tools🪑 The Patient Experience– What a typical TMS session looks and feels like– Common side effects and time course of therapeutic response– What patients report during and after a course of treatment🔬 Mechanisms and Research– What brain mechanisms underlie TMS’s effectiveness?– Neuroplasticity and circuit-level change– Emerging biomarkers and predictors of treatment response🌍 Broader Impacts– How TMS is shifting the landscape for treatment-resistant depression– What’s new and exciting in TMS research– Future directions: Could TMS expand to anxiety, PTSD, or neurological conditions?⚖️ Practical and Ethical Considerations– Barriers to access and systemic challenges– How to assess if a patient is a good candidate– Ethical issues in offering brain-based treatments👥 Personal Insights– Dr. Taplin’s journey into TMS– A powerful patient success story– Guidance for clinicians exploring TMS integrationDr. Chris Taplin, MD, FRCPC is a board-certified psychiatrist and the founder of TMS Life, a leading mental health clinic based in Ottawa, Ontario. He specializes in the treatment of complex and treatment-resistant mental health conditions, including depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sports-related psychiatric concerns.Dr. Taplin is a nationally recognized expert in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and completed specialized training in repetitive TMS at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). His clinical approach integrates TMS with evidence-based psychotherapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention (ERP), and interpersonal therapy, offering a comprehensive and individualized care model for his patients.A graduate of the University of British Columbia, Dr. Taplin completed his psychiatry residency in Ontario and has been in independent practice since 2022. He is deeply committed to improving access to innovative treatments and has contributed to academic efforts aimed at enhancing psychiatric education and recruitment.Outside of his clinical work, Dr. Taplin enjoys spending time with his family, rock climbing, and connecting with nature.tmslife.com 

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