A "See You Later" message from Dr Barbara: "My dear National and Global Listeners, As I sit down infront of the mic, my heart is full of gratitude, nostalgia, and a touch of bittersweet emotion. Since September of 2020, this podcast has been a safe space for all of us—a place where we came together to find solace, inspiration, and connection during a time when the world felt uncertain and heavy. Over the past four years, we’ve grown together. Week after week, you welcomed me into your ...

When parent-child roles reverse, a phenomenon known as parentification occurs. This happens when a child is forced (consciously or unconsciously) to take on the responsibilities of a parent, emotionally or physically, often due to a parent's inability or unwillingness to fulfill their role. Parentification can have profound effects on a child's emotional development, relationships, and mental health. Come join Dr Barbara to learn more about parentification, the two main types of parentificati...

In this Part 2 of To Be Vulnerable Is To Be Brave, Dr Barbara shares with her audience some common examples of relationship vulnerability. Vulnerability in relationships is the openness and willingness to show our true selves, including our fears, insecurities, and desires, to a partner. This form of vulnerability allows for an authentic connection, building trust and emotional intimacy. Being vulnerable in a relationship requires taking risks, as it exposes us to potential rejection, j...

Vulnerability defined: Vulnerability refers to the willingness to expose oneself emotionally, to express genuine feelings, and to risk experiencing uncertainty, criticism, or rejection. This openness goes beyond physical vulnerability, involving emotional and psychological states where a person lets down defenses to connect more deeply with themselves and others. Dr Brené Brown, Professor of Social Work at the University of Houston. One of the leading researchers on vulnerability, defines it ...

The skill of focus in psychology refers to the ability to direct and maintain attention on a specific task or object, while ignoring distractions. It is a key component of cognitive processes such as problem-solving, decision-making, learning, and goal achievement. Focus allows for deeper concentration and more effective use of mental energy, leading to higher levels of productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. Come join Dr BB for further detailed explanation and learn all that you c...

In Part 1, Dr Barbara concludes while both "How?" and "Why?" are valuable questions in problem-solving, the question of "Why?" holds particular importance for fostering deeper understanding, addressing root causes, and creating long-lasting change. It requires patience and introspection, but ultimately leads to more sustainable solutions. This shift from "How?" to "Why?" can help individuals, relationships, organizations, and societies better navigate complex challenges and achieve greater we...

The nature of the questions we ask shapes our understanding of reality and influences our problem-solving strategies. In North American culture, a significant distinction can be made between asking "Why?" and asking "How?" in the context of problem-solving, particularly when it comes to personal and societal challenges. The Power of "Why?" When we ask "Why?" we seek to understand the underlying causes, motivations, and beliefs that contribute to a situation. In psychological terms, this is ak...

The schema concept in psychology, particularly in Schema Therapy (developed by Dr Jeffrey Young), refers to deeply ingrained, dysfunctional patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving that originate from unmet emotional needs during childhood. These schemas act as filters through which individuals perceive and respond to life situations, leading to maladaptive coping behaviors in adulthood. Schemas are often linked to early negative experiences (e.g., neglect, abandonment, abuse, etc.) and ca...

What are emotional or psychological triggers? In psychology, a trigger refers to any stimulus—whether internal (like thoughts or emotions) or external (like situations, people, places, or objects)—that causes an emotional reaction or recalls a past trauma. Triggers often lead to intense, automatic responses (reaction) that can include anxiety, anger, panic, sadness, or other strong emotions. They can occur in various mental health conditions: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, de...

From a psychological standpoint, understanding the difference between facts and interpretations is crucial for effective communication and interpersonal interactions. Miscommunication often arises when people conflate facts with their interpretations. If we assume that our interpretation is the "truth", it can lead to incorrect conclusion and unnecessary conflict. For example, if you interpret a neutral comment from a colleague as criticism, you might respond defensively or even...

Self-awareness is the experience of one's own character traits and skills. It is not to be confused with consciousness in the sense of qualia. While consciousness is being aware of one's environment and body and lifestyle, self-awareness is the recognition of that awareness. In other words, self-awareness is how an individual consciously knows and understands their own character, feelings, motives and desires. Dr BB explains both self-reflection and rumination are exam...

In this Part 2 of Thought Patterns That Don't Serve Us, Dr BB continues to make aware of the remaining common unhelpful thought patterns. Her intention is to bring those thought habits into the light, so we can be aware of our own bad thought habits, and learn ways to change those unhealthy styles of thoughts that no longer serve us. Come join Dr BB, have a listen, share, subscribe and review this Episode. For further resources please visit: www.drbarbarakiao.com Thank you for l...

In this Episode, Dr BB reminds us of the Result Formula - thoughts cause feelings, feelings cause actions, and actions cause results. Her intention is to bring some of our unhelpful thinking habits and patterns into the light, so we can be aware and learn ways to change the thought patterns that no longer serve us. Come join Dr BB, have a listen, share, subscribe and review this Episode. For further resources please visit: www.drbarbarakiao.com Thank you for listening! Follow Dr BB...

Coercive control is a pattern of behavior that a perpetrator uses to dominate, manipulate, and micro-manage the life of a victim. Unlike physical abuse, which can be more visible and identifiable, coercive control is often insidious and involves psychological, emotional, and sometimes financial abuse. This form of control systematically strips the victim of their autonomy, self-worth, and freedom, creating an environment of fear and dependence. Is Coercive Control a Form of Abuse? Yes, coerci...

Abuse is a complex and multifaceted concept in psychology, referring to any action that intentionally harms or injures another person, either physically, emotionally, or psychologically. Abuse can manifest in various forms, and it often involves a power imbalance where the abuser exerts control or dominance over the victim. The psychological impact of abuse can be profound, leading to long-term emotional, mental, and sometimes physical consequences. In this Episode, Dr BB explains the common ...

This is the final Episode of the series on Understand Spirituality. Dr BB shares one of her teachers, Carolyn Myss' list of her “greatest spiritual truths”. These are the teachings Myss holds most dear to her heart and Dr BB trusts they will serve you as much as they do her. Come join Dr BB to learn about these "spiritual truths": Kindness and patience matter at all times; look for something special in each day – something new; you are the engine of meaning and purpose; etc.etc. Accep...

In this Episode, Dr BB continues to share the remaining common signs of authentic spiritual awakening, along with specific examples of how they might manifest in daily life. She then moves on to energy vampirism: A metaphorical concept where certain individuals, often referred to as "energy vampires," are thought to deplete the emotional or psychological energy of those around them. This concept describes how some people can negatively impact others' mental well-being. Come join Dr BB to lear...

Spiritual awakening is a process often characterized by profound personal growth and insight. However, it can be accompanied by certain pitfalls or "spiritual traps" that may hinder genuine progress. These traps can present themselves as false signs of spiritual awakening, leading individuals to believe they are evolving spiritually when they might be stuck or misled. Recognizing these traps can help individuals maintain a balanced and grounded approach to spiritual awakening, ensuring that t...

In this Episode, Dr Barbara further expand on Carl Gustav Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst's take on spirituality. Dr Jung's approach to spirituality was deeply integrated into his theories of the psyche, and it played a significant role in his understanding of human consciousness and personal development. Come join Dr BB to learn the three stages of Jung's Individuation process: For Jung, individuation was a key spiritual process. It involves becoming aware of and ...

Carl Gustav Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology, had a profound and nuanced perspective on spirituality. Jung's approach to spirituality was deeply integrated into his theories of the psyche, and it played a significant role in his understanding of human consciousness and personal development. One of the key points about Jung's take on spirituality is Individuation: For Jung, individuation was a key spiritual process. It involves becoming awa...