Author ArchiveDr. Berney

ByDr. Berney

When to Introduce Technology (YouTube)

When to Introduce Technology (YouTube)

ByDr. Berney

When to Introduce Technology (TMBMS061)

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Welcome to The Mental Breakdown Morning Show! Each weekday morning, we will to help get your day off to a great start. We have all seen it. Whether you are sitting at a restaurant, in church, or even driving down the road; we have all see children of all ages – from toddlers to adolescents – engaged with technology. From smart phones to tablets to portable gaming devices, many young children are already plugged in. Today’s show kicks off a new week-long series on technology by discussing ideas about when parents should introduce technology to their children.

Here is the link to an article about when to introduce various forms of technology to children. (https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/Media/Pages/Healthy-Digital-Media-Use-Habits-for-Babies-Toddlers-Preschoolers.aspx)
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ByDr. Berney

Relationships and Mental Illness (YouTube)

Relationships and Mental Illness (YouTube)

ByDr. Berney

Relationships and Mental Illness (TMB115)

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Estimates of mental illness vacillate around 15-20%. However, there are some who claim that the new diagnostic manual used by mental health professionals (the DSM-V) could result in upwards of 50% of the population meeting criteria for a mental health problem at any particular time in their lives. And while there is a difference between mental health issues and mental illness, it goes without saying that there is a high probability that you have or will be in a relationship with someone who has mental health problems.
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ByDr. Berney

Amicable Separations (YouTube)

Amicable Separations (YouTube)

ByDr. Berney

Amicable Separations (TMBMS060)

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Welcome to The Mental Breakdown Morning Show! Each weekday morning, we will to help get your day off to a great start. Despite their best efforts, sometimes a relationship is simply beyond repair.  No amount of therapy, discussion, or compromise will correct the damage. On today’s show we discuss the importance of an amicable separation and how to manage divorce in a manner that works out best for everyone. Read More

ByDr. Berney

Giving Thanks

2016-to-2017

As I reflect back over the past year, I try to look at the three major factors in my life: my work, my family, and myself. And as I examine the entirety of the last year of my life, I find so many things about which I am thankful.

Professional

On the whole, this past year has been the busiest year at PACFlorida. Over the past year we have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of individuals and families. And I know that I speak for my partners and “work-family” when I say that we are humbled by the number of people who place trust in us to help them and their loved ones during very trying times in their lives.

And speaking of my “work-family,” I have to say that it has always been a dream of mine to have such a team. I truly feel as though everyone that works with me at PACFlorida is family.

The most important people in any practice are those who interact with every patient. Ms. Rebecca and Ms. Dian have just as much passion and determination to help others as our clinicians. They are crafty and creative in their drive to find appointment slots and get patients in as quickly as possible. Without the two of them, we would not have seen such growth here at PACFlorida.

While working to find appointment times for patients is challenging enough, Ms. April does an amazing job orchestrating all of our forensic responsibilities. While we joke about her “sending us to jail” (to conduct evaluations), I do not know anyone who could manage the dynamic – and often frustrating – nature of PACFlorida’s forensic responsibilities any better or more professionally.

Ms. Cassie is our newest clinician, though she has been with us now for over a year. I actually met Ms. Cassie when she was a graduate student in a course I was teaching. Her intelligence and compassion is palpable and felt first hand by her patients and the families with whom she helps.

I first met Dr. Ellen in the same graduate program wherein I met Ms. Cassie. Only, at that time I was in a role where recruited Dr. Ellen as an instructor. Dr. Ellen immediately struck me as a quality psychologist. To put it quite simply, she cares about people. Dr. Ellen is versatile and creative and has a passion for her work. I could not be happier that she chose to join PACFlorida.

I have known Dr. Marshall for almost 15 years. In fact, he was my internship supervisor as I worked to finish up my graduate program. We have worked together, in one capacity or another, since 2002. He is a great friend, a faithful partner, and an experienced and knowledgeable clinician.

Over the last year, the four of us have supported each other in a variety of ways. As a result, we have all grown professionally and personally. I’ve said it before and I will say it again; I am so happy to have my work family and I know that they are the engine that helps keep PACFlorida going.

Family

Although I spend a lot of time working, my family means the world to me. And the past year has seen some amazing development. My wife and I are as happy as we have ever been. We love spending time with our children and grandchildren. Our daughter is nearing graduation from college with her first degree and our son is quickly becoming a man, both in size and in maturity.

I could not imagine many ways in which my family could be much better. Their stability, understanding, and flexibility have allowed me to grow professionally while remaining an integral part of their lives.

Personal

The success of PACFlorida and the stability of my family have created an ideal scenario for me to do some of the things that have helped me grow individually.

Although we started recording podcasts in 2014, we have been able to expand our podcasts significantly. I love teaching and I see our podcasts as a way to do a little teaching every day. This coming weekend we will post Episode 115 of The Mental Breakdown podcast and we are already at Episode 60 of The Mental Breakdown Morning Show! All together, by the end of this year, we will have posted a total of 200+ podcasts on iTunes and nearly 150 YouTube videos. These posts reach thousands of people, far more than could sit in a classroom once a week.

This year Dr. Marshall and I published an update to the first part of our parenting book as well as a manual to help folks identify issues with their diet. That said, there is much more writing to do. We look forward to finishing the revision of parts 2 and 3 of our parenting book, to write a second book specific to parenting teenagers, and to start several other books over the course of the next year. This work has allowed our publishing company, Paedeia, LLC, to grow and has created opportunities for us to do workshops and seminars all over the US.

In addition to personal growth in the professional domain, I have continued my role as a coach. In addition to my son’s competitive soccer team, I have also continued to coach my granddaughter’s soccer team. I love coaching and always look forward to being out on the pitch with my players, regardless of their age. But this year, I have had the opportunity to expand my coaching role, as I was named the Official Sport Psychologist of the Lakeland Futball Club. In this role I get to work with players from other teams in our club, helping them to maximize their performance on the pitch and improve their understanding of the mental aspect of the game.

I still have a lot of growing to do. While I hope that I am on the path to become the man I am meant to be, I see many more areas of needed growth and development. Those things will come in time. But for now, I am happy with where I am, my short and long term goals, and the destination on the horizon. It may take some time to get there, but just look at all of the opportunities that lie between here and there!

So as I start to close out 2016, I look forward to 2017 with hope, excitement, and determination. And I hope that you will as well. There is very little that is outside the reach of the determined individual. With a little grit and a healthy dose of stubbornness, you will find that despite the inevitable setback, sticking to your goals will be immeasurably rewarding. And when you achieve your goals and look back at the path you have just walked, you will undoubtedly see that the path was never straight. It shifted and turned and led you in unexpected directions. But that determination got you to exactly where you were supposed to be.

Good luck. Stay focused. Learn from your experiences. And greet 2017 with an understanding and clarity that will bring you success.

 

ByDr. Berney

Couples Therapy (YouTube)

Couples Therapy (YouTube)

ByDr. Berney

Couples Therapy (TMBMS059)

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Welcome to The Mental Breakdown Morning Show! Each weekday morning, we will to help get your day off to a great start. Most couples would benefit from couples therapy. Whether they are having problems or not, sitting with a professional to discuss issues is a great way to keep a relationship happy and healthy. But when there is conflict in the relationship, therapy is a very important tool that can help repair damage. On today’s show we offer strategies for getting your partner into the therapist’s office and how to handle it when they refuse. Read More

ByDr. Berney

The Allure of Divorce (YouTube)

The Allure of Divorce (YouTube)