Today, I am talking with Dr. Robin Aupperle, Elisabeth Akeman and Dr. Hannah Berg    Aupperle is is a licensed clinical psychologist and Principal Investigator at Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR) and Associate Professor at the University of Tulsa. Her research uses neuroimaging and behavioral measures to better understand approach-avoidance decision-making and mechanisms and predictors of psychological treatments for mood, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders.    Akeman is a Licensed Professional Counselor currently serving as Lead Therapist and Clinical Resear ..read more

We spoke with Carolyn Burns, an instructor and field faculty liaison for the School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma Online Campus. Carolyn is licensed clinical social worker who has practiced therapy for more than eighteen years. Additionally, with more than twenty-three years of social work experience, her career has spanned from public housing to owning a private practice. She has a passion for working with the lower income, marginalized population – particularly adolescents, as well as working with people who have experienced extreme trauma.    Carolyn was a presenter ..read more

Today, I am talking with Julie Leiber and Emily McPherson, Mental Health Policy Fellows at Healthy Minds Policy Initiative.     Emily is researching methamphetamine overdose and harm reduction, and Julie has been focusing on programs of assertive community treatment. Together, they were also Zarrow Mental Health Symposium presenters at last year’s event, New Horizons in Brain Science, during which they used Tulsa, Oklahoma as a case study. Their presentation explored treatment models and community partnerships that addressed rising rates of methamphetamine use. It also spoke to how h ..read more

This week’s episode is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma, who invests in and partners with nonprofit organizations that offer sustainable, measurable programs that strive to elevate the health and well-being of all Oklahomans.  Today, I am talking with Carly Dunn, a 4th year PhD student in the Human Development and Family Science Department at Oklahoma State University, and a graduate research associate at the Center for Family Resilience.  Carly helps coordinate the Oklahoma NEAR Science training community and works on school-based prevention projects to provide qualit ..read more

Today, I am speaking with Susan Magsamen, founder and executive director of the International Arts & Mind Lab, Center for Applied Neuroaesthetics - a pioneering initiative from the Pedersen Brain Science Institute at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She is also an assistant professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins and serves as the co-director of the NeuroArts Blueprint Initiative in partnership with the Aspen Institute. Susan’s is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller, Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us. It is a journey through the science of neuroaesthetics ..read more

This week’s episode is sponsored by The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, a philanthropic entity dedicated to lifting Tulsans out of poverty by supporting housing and shelter resources, social services and basic human needs, accessible healthcare, and programs that empower and inspire community members to improve their lives. Today, we have Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s Chief Programs Officer, Mark Davis talking with Dr. Xavier Amador, Co-Founder and CEO of the Henry Amador Center on Anosognosia and Founder of the LEAP Institute.  Dr. Amador is an internationally renowned clinical ..read more

Today, we're talking with Genaro - affectionately known as G - Pratcher, Employment Specialist for our Oklahoma City A Better Way program at Mental Health Association Oklahoma. G is a longtime professional in the mental health field who had decided to leave the profession before being recruited by an Association case manager. In researching us, he saw that we were, in his words, “doing the work” and couldn’t help but join the team. He just celebrated his one year anniversary with us, and since that time, he’s helped to make the A Better Way program the success that it is - employing hundreds o ..read more

You're listening to the Mental Health Download from the nonprofit Mental Health Association Oklahoma. I'm Omar Isais. Today, Jocelin Baeza and Omar Isais, MHAOK team members, are taking over the Mental Health Download to highlight our virtual Hispanic support group, Platicas, in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Our goal is to increase dialogue about mental health struggles and reduce stigma around them, specifically in the Hispanic population. We talk about the importance of doing so and what that can look like, including within Platicas ..read more

Margaret (Maggie) Shaffer is Director of Public Policy for the Alzheimer's Association. In her current professional capacity Maggie works with advocates to move forward state and federal policy issues to support research to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, and improve the care and support of caregivers. Maggie has previous experience in health and mental health policy, having spent several years researching, writing, and advocating for improved access to comprehensive, family-centered care. She is particularly passionate about furthering policies that support caregive ..read more

Today, we're talking with Collin Walke, Oklahoma House Representative of District 87 and local attorney. Collin is a native Oklahoman, and attended Oklahoma State University before graduating magna cum laude at Oklahoma City University School of Law. A true public servant, he was a long-time volunteer with City Rescue Mission before both serving and chairing their board of directors. Additionally, Collin serves on the Oklahoma Autisim Center Foundation, as well as the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Associate Board. Collin is a 20+ year meditation practitioner who was inspired by his own experience ..read more