CBT is not Gaslighting and Other Psychology Facts from Valerie Valledor

Sanity and Society

Summary:

In this episode of the Sanity and Society podcast, host Jeremy speaks with Valerie Vallador, a PhD student in clinical psychology. You may know Valerie better as @phdwithvalerie on instagram, where she documents the journey through a doctoral program in psychology, including study habits, her research projects, how to avoid burnout, tips for writing a dissertation, and maintaining sanity with a challenging schedule.

We discuss Valerie's entry into psychology, her research on body image and family dynamics, and the challenges of graduate school. Valerie shares insights on the importance of mentorship, the differences between therapy and casual conversations, and the significance of self-care. They also explore generational differences in mental health perspectives, the need for business training in psychology programs, and the practical applications of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Valerie emphasizes the importance of understanding the theoretical underpinnings of treatments and shares her plans for future social media content about mental health.

Takeaways

• The connection between body and mind is crucial in mental health.
• Executive dysfunction can significantly impact children's lives.
• Graduate school can be overwhelming and lacks advocacy for students.
• Having a supportive advisor is essential for success in a PhD program.
• Therapy involves analysis and reflection, not just venting.
• ACT and DBT are effective therapies for managing anxiety and depression.
• Social media can help build community among graduate students.
• Self-care practices are vital for maintaining mental health during a PhD.
• Understanding the biopsychosocial model is important for mental health professionals.

Sound Bites

• "There's so much more to the psychology profession."
• "I really believe in the strength of mindfulness."
• "Your advisor can make or break you."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Valerie Vallador and Her Journey in Psychology

03:04 Valerie's Academic Path and Research Focus

06:00 Understanding Executive Dysfunction and Its Impact

09:04 Navigating Graduate School: Challenges and Insights

11:56 The Role of Mentorship in Graduate Programs

14:58 The Difference Between Therapy and Casual Conversations

18:00 Exploring Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

21:11 Valerie's Experience with Social Media and Community Building

23:57 The Importance of Self-Care in Graduate School

27:00 Valerie's Dissertation on Body Image and Family Dynamics

29:56 Generational Differences in Mental Health Perspectives

32:58 The Need for Business Training in Psychology Programs

36:03 Understanding the Differences Between Counseling and Clinical Psychology

39:01 The Biopsychosocial Model in Understanding Mental Health

42:13 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Explained

44:58 A Day in the Life of a Psychology PhD Student

48:01 Valerie's Future Plans and Upcoming Projects

Valerie's instagram page:

@phdwithvalerie

Keywords:

psychology, PhD, mental health, therapy, graduate school, body image, social media, self-care, ACT, DBT