PhD/PsyD Just a thread to post the weirdest/whackiest/dumbest mental health-related stuff you come across in the (social) media...

[smalltownpsych]

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This movement of acceptance of child molesting is incredibly toxic. I specifically chose that phrase instead of pedophilia because that has the sound of a medical or psychiatric disorder to it because of the Greek roots. Nevertheless and thankfully so pedophile continues to be a pejorative in our culture which is why some ignorant freaks want to call it minor attracted persons. The amount of psychological damage that this behavior causes to developing children is horrific. I speak from this on a number of levels both professionally and personally. Protecting children from physical and sexual abuse and exploitation is a relatively recent cultural advance and it is stunning that some people want to make it ok and create false equivalence with other types of sexual behaviors. Do we really need to accept all behavior and personal beliefs and philosophies as equally acceptable and healthy? I guess that’s postmodernism. Maybe we can get past that sooner rather than later.

 

[WisNeuro]

This movement of acceptance of child molesting is incredibly toxic. I specifically chose that phrase instead of pedophilia because that has the sound of a medical or psychiatric disorder to it because of the Greek roots. Nevertheless and thankfully so pedophile continues to be a pejorative in our culture which is why some ignorant freaks want to call it minor attracted persons. The amount of psychological damage that this behavior causes to developing children is horrific. I speak from this on a number of levels both professionally and personally. Protecting children from physical and sexual abuse and exploitation is a relatively recent cultural advance and it is stunning that some people want to make it ok and create false equivalence with other types of sexual behaviors. Do we really need to accept all behavior and personal beliefs and philosophies as equally acceptable and healthy? I guess that’s postmodernism. Maybe we can get past that sooner rather than later.

Well, I think this is part of the issue, you are conflating two different, yet related concepts. Pedophilia would denote the attraction issue, whilst molestation would indicate the action. The argument being that the former does not lead to the latter in every instance or every person who has that. Nowhere in accepting this fact do I see anyone "accepting" the latter. If anything, it'd be important to understand much better so that we can work on the former to decrease instances of the latter. Conflating the two would likely be counterproductive as you'd drive people away who may actually be amenable to intervention in the first place.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Well, I think this is part of the issue, you are conflating two different, yet related concepts. Pedophilia would denote the attraction issue, whilst molestation would indicate the action. The argument being that the former does not lead to the latter in every instance or every person who has that. Nowhere in accepting this fact do I see anyone "accepting" the latter. If anything, it'd be important to understand much better so that we can work on the former to decrease instances of the latter. Conflating the two would likely be counterproductive as you'd drive people away who may actually be amenable to intervention in the first place.

Not the same thing, but maybe a modicum of similarity to if a person wanted to steal something. The urge/thought and behavior are separate, even when relating to criminal acts and/or acts society at large has judged to be wrong. I don't think we need to accept child molestation, or pedophilia, as acceptable and healthy. I certainly think it's okay to recognize the potential harms of pedophilia, and the significant harms of molestation. But I also don't think it's helpful to automatically, as a field, say something akin to, "these thoughts are disgusting and vile, and you are disgusting, vile, and beyond help for having them."

Although yes, this also takes the whole, "speak my truth" and, "it's okay to feel what you feel" mentalities to the extreme.

 

[megamaramon]

Not social media per se, but I just finished reading Sociopath by Patric Gagne (PhD). A memoir by a sociopath about her experience as a sociopath, and all I could focus on was how she completed a PhD in Clinical Psych while being a music manager in LA, having 0 research publications that I can find, and providing unlicensed therapy as a "psychology speakeasy".

Honestly, this is what I get for reading a book by a self-proclaimed sociopath. At least lie a little better.

 

[chicandtoughness]

Not social media per se, but I just finished reading Sociopath by Patric Gagne (PhD). A memoir by a sociopath about her experience as a sociopath, and all I could focus on was how she completed a PhD in Clinical Psych while being a music manager in LA, having 0 research publications that I can find, and providing unlicensed therapy as a "psychology speakeasy".

Honestly, this is what I get for reading a book by a self-proclaimed sociopath. At least lie a little better.

It gets better.

Patric Gagne

Author of Sociopath: A Memoir

patricgagne.com

Sassy edgy rule breaker language aside…
In her FAQ it says she gave a bound copy of her dissertation to CGI.

In her About page she says she got her doctorate at the Chicago School: Patric Gagne

They did merge in 2008 but she makes it a point to keep them separate in her bio.

CSPP doesn’t offer PhD’s in Clinical Psych (I’m preaching to the choir I know).

Someone needs to get her stories straight. Confirms her sociopathic diagnosis though!

 

[ForensicPsychFightClub]

I am being asked about available psychological information or research on “dark empaths.”


…

………

 

[Sanman]

I am being asked about available psychological information or research on “dark empaths.”


…

………

I hear there are hours of research available online:

 

[Fan_of_Meehl]

I am being asked about available psychological information or research on “dark empaths.”


…

………

Is that anything like the Dark Templar from Starcraft?

 

[PsyDr]

This one time, a heroin addict said he was going to send people, who used psychiatric medications, to work camps.

 

[Sanman]

This one time, a heroin addict said he was going to send people, who used psychiatric medications, to work camps.

Are you talking about the third Reich or the fourth Reich?

Psychiatric Genocide: Nazi Attempts to Eradicate Schizophrenia - PMC

RFK Jr. Says He’ll Send People Taking Adderall to Labor Camps

 

[Buzzwordsoldier]

Anecdotally: I know many, many excellent therapists who, to the best of my knowledge, never participated in and/or weren't actively participating in their own therapy.

Welllll, if you were super sure, what would you do with that superpower?

 

[EnPsychlopedia]

On a slightly less apocalyptic note, I just saw a thread on r/therapists where a therapist said that they aren't convinced empirical evidence helps anyone and all that matters is feeling heard.

 

[WisNeuro]

On a slightly less apocalyptic note, I just saw a thread on r/therapists where a therapist said that they aren't convinced empirical evidence helps anyone and all that matters is feeling heard.

One of the many people who grossly misunderstand the common factors research?

 

[chicandtoughness]

On a slightly less apocalyptic note, I just saw a thread on r/therapists where a therapist said that they aren't convinced empirical evidence helps anyone and all that matters is feeling heard.

THIS is supposed to be slightly less apocalyptic?

 

[WisNeuro]

THIS is supposed to be slightly less apocalyptic?

Unfortunately, anti-science sentiment knows no political loyalties.

 

[EnPsychlopedia]

THIS is supposed to be slightly less apocalyptic?

Relative to the dystopian hell being ushered in by the Mango Gremlin, it is

 

[BendDontBreak]

The referenced Schitt's Creek scene pretty much describes what it feels like to have an EMDR therapist explain why the therapy 'works.'

 

[DoubtfulDoc]

Not social media per se, but I just finished reading Sociopath by Patric Gagne (PhD). A memoir by a sociopath about her experience as a sociopath, and all I could focus on was how she completed a PhD in Clinical Psych while being a music manager in LA, having 0 research publications that I can find, and providing unlicensed therapy as a "psychology speakeasy".

Honestly, this is what I get for reading a book by a self-proclaimed sociopath. At least lie a little better.

Yikes. Her website just says that she earned her degree so long ago online publishing of her dissertation wasn’t expected but it can be found at “CGI” university? And when she addressed how she has no publications she said that she was of course not a rule follower and has never published.

From the first few pages of her book: “I’m a liar. I’m a thief. I’m emotionally shallow...” “I’m mostly immune to remorse and guilt. I’m highly manipulative. I don’t care what other people think. I’m not interested in morals. I’m not interested, period. Rules do not factor into my decision making. I’m capable of almost anything.”

Not social media per se, but I just finished reading Sociopath by Patric Gagne (PhD). A memoir by a sociopath about her experience as a sociopath, and all I could focus on was how she completed a PhD in Clinical Psych while being a music manager in LA, having 0 research publications that I can find, and providing unlicensed therapy as a "psychology speakeasy".

Honestly, this is what I get for reading a book by a self-proclaimed sociopath. At least lie a little better.

 

[WisNeuro]

Yikes. Her website just says that she earned her degree so long ago online publishing of her dissertation wasn’t expected but it can be found at “CGI” university? And when she addressed how she has no publications she said that she was of course not a rule follower and has never published.

From the first few pages of her book: “I’m a liar. I’m a thief. I’m emotionally shallow...” “I’m mostly immune to remorse and guilt. I’m highly manipulative. I don’t care what other people think. I’m not interested in morals. I’m not interested, period. Rules do not factor into my decision making. I’m capable of almost anything.”

CGI was the California Graduate Institute, a diploma mill that eventually merged with another diploma mill, the Chicago School. I do not think that it was ever APA accredited, but who knows as much of it's info has been scrubbed. An unethical shyster graduated from a diploma mill? Color me shocked.

 

[cara susanna]

Just saw the title "Trauma Coach" on social media. Is that a thing?

 

[Fan_of_Meehl]

Just saw the title "Trauma Coach" on social media. Is that a thing?

I hear that they're very successful. Often 'sporting' impressive 'win/loss' ratios for establishing or increasing service-connection for PTSD. 10/10 would recommend. 5 stars.

 

[Fan_of_Meehl]

CGI was the California Graduate Institute, a diploma mill that eventually merged with another diploma mill, the Chicago School. I do not think that it was ever APA accredited, but who knows as much of it's info has been scrubbed. An unethical shyster graduated from a diploma mill? Color me shocked.

Sounds like someone malingering psychopathy to me. For what purpose, God only knows.

 

[R. Matey]

Just saw the title "Trauma Coach" on social media. Is that a thing?

People doing half-assed interventions without a license has very much been a thing for a bit now.

 

[chicandtoughness]

Just saw the title "Trauma Coach" on social media. Is that a thing?

My trauma doesn’t need a coach to cheer it on, it causes enough chaos on its own tyvm 😭

 

[cara susanna]

I'm getting downvotes for saying that CPT should not be used to treat specific phobia

 

[Fan_of_Meehl]

I'm getting downvotes for saying that CPT should not be used to treat specific phobia

I mean...identifying, labeling, and modifying cognitive errors--I mean, cognitive distortions--I mean, problematic patterns of thinking never hurt anyone but...yeah, CPT for specific phobia is pretty dumb.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I'm getting downvotes for saying that CPT should not be used to treat specific phobia

I mean, I guess if you consider every exposure to the phobic stimuli to be Criterion A-level traumatic...?

Yeah, I've got nothing. Although I'm guessing it has to do with someone, somewhere thinking that all phobias must stem from childhood trauma.

 

[WisNeuro]

I mean, I guess if you consider every exposure to the phobic stimuli to be Criterion A-level traumatic...?

Yeah, I've got nothing. Although I'm guessing it has to do with someone, somewhere thinking that all phobias must stem from childhood trauma.

This is simply incorrect. All mental health issues stem from childhood trauma, whether or not you remember or if there was any evidence trauma. Because, everything is trauma. "Existence is pain, Jerry!"

 

[Sanman]

This is simply incorrect. All mental health issues stem from childhood trauma, whether or not you remember or if there was any evidence trauma. Because, everything is trauma. "Existence is pain, Jerry!"

Interesting belief. Maybe I can suggest to people that pain is a universal part of life and start a religion around how to minimize this pain.

 

[DoubtfulDoc]

I'm getting downvotes for saying that CPT should not be used to treat specific phobia

Ohhh…please link to any comments on that post 🙂

 

[EnPsychlopedia]

I saw someone on r/therapists the other day say that whenever they (the therapist) yawn during session, it means the client is feeling suppressed anger that isn't being expressed. This sixth sense apparently picks up on the client's "dysregulated nervous system" and rankles the therapist's own nervous system so much that the yawn occurs as a regulatory process. This sixth sense is so powerful that it works via telehealth appointments. I'm not joking--that was the claim (except that I'm using the "sixth sense" language, which they didn't use).

 

[chicandtoughness]

This sixth sense is so powerful that it works via telehealth appointments.

I was kinda buying it until this sentence 😂

 

[cara susanna]

I saw someone on r/therapists the other day say that whenever they (the therapist) yawn during session, it means the client is feeling suppressed anger that isn't being expressed. This sixth sense apparently picks up on the client's "dysregulated nervous system" and rankles the therapist's own nervous system so much that the yawn occurs as a regulatory process. This sixth sense is so powerful that it works via telehealth appointments. I'm not joking--that was the claim (except that I'm using the "sixth sense" language, which they didn't use).

Then, wow, I have a lot of angry patients.

 

[clausewitz2]

Then, wow, I have a lot of angry patients.

Well maybe you shouldn't practice intrinsically invalidating therapy modalities like CBT. I mean, if you really knew anything about DBT, you'd know basic principles like "Always validate everything all the time no matter what".

 

[WisNeuro]

Well maybe you shouldn't practice intrinsically invalidating therapy modalities like CBT. I mean, if you really knew anything about DBT, you'd know basic principles like "Always validate everything all the time no matter what".

Don't forget to get at least 10 minutes of gaslighting into every session. It's important to the CBT process. Also, if you can fit kicking a puppy and eating a baby into session, that would be good as well.

 

[cara susanna]

Oh, that's true, I am constantly gaslighting my patients and promoting capitalistic values by doing CBT. No wonder they're so angry!

 

[WisNeuro]

Oh, that's true, I am constantly gaslighting my patients and promoting capitalistic values by doing CBT. No wonder they're so angry!

Um...it's end-stage capitilistic hellscape, thank you very much. Are you even trauma informed.?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Oh, that's true, I am constantly gaslighting my patients and promoting capitalistic values by doing CBT. No wonder they're so angry!

Maybe you could double-down and gaslight them about being an obvious proponent of the end-stage capitalistic hellscape.

 

[cara susanna]

Not exactly social media related, but this is the most appropriate thread I could think of.

Are non-psychologist therapists actually taught how to diagnose ADHD? Some of the questions I get about it make me wonder.

 

[chicandtoughness]

Not exactly social media related, but this is the most appropriate thread I could think of.

Are non-psychologist therapists actually taught how to diagnose ADHD? Some of the questions I get about it make me wonder.

No.

That’s all 🙂

(We’re taught to “diagnose” it the same way we’re taught to look at the DSM and check off the numbers.)

 

[R. Matey]

(We’re taught to “diagnose” it the same way we’re taught to look at the DSM and check off the numbers.)

Yeah, the diagnostic training I received in my master's program pales in comparison to what I received in my doctoral program by a very wide margin.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Not exactly social media related, but this is the most appropriate thread I could think of.

Are non-psychologist therapists actually taught how to diagnose ADHD? Some of the questions I get about it make me wonder.

Kinda sorta not really--technically, people may take a class or two in psych diagnosis or one in assessment, but they both have to cram in so much content that the finer points of diagnosing much outside of anxiety, depression, maybe OCD and PTSD (though I'd say honestly not those in the vast majority of cases), are often lost.

 

[R. Matey]

Kinda sorta not really--technically, people may take a class or two in psych diagnosis or one in assessment, but they both have to cram in so much content that the finer points of diagnosing much outside of anxiety, depression, maybe OCD and PTSD (though I'd say honestly not those in the vast majority of cases), are often lost.

What's lost in this training sequence is understanding mental health problems well enough to differentiate between them, especially if the student is entering counseling or social work from a non-psych background. One example off the top of my head is diagnosing PTSD only off a Criterion A event without bothering to determine whether it was (A) PTSD, (B) A Criterion A event only, (C) Premorbid depression and a criterion A event without PTSD or (D) Comorbid PTSD and major depression.

 

[chicandtoughness]

In short, the art of differential diagnosis is lost on many masters-level clinicians 😔

 

[ClinicalABA]

In short, the art of differential diagnosis is lost on many masters-level clinicians 😔

Fixed that for you!

 

[EnPsychlopedia]

In short, the art of differential diagnosis is lost on many masters-level clinicians 😔

No one needs fancy differential diagnosis--everything is trauma and undiagnosed AuDHD, silly! /s

 

[ihaveanxpsyd]

Recently came across a psychologist in the wild claiming to be a "board-certified school neuropsychologist" with their "certification" coming from this place. just wanted to post as I haven't seen anyone make fun of it in prior threads. American Board of School Neuropsychology, LLC. you know it's legit when the board is accompanied by LLC /s

 

[Fan_of_Meehl]

Recently came across a psychologist in the wild claiming to be a "board-certified school neuropsychologist" with their "certification" coming from this place. just wanted to post as I haven't seen anyone make fun of it in prior threads. American Board of School Neuropsychology, LLC. you know it's legit when the board is accompanied by LLC /s

The older I get the more cynical I become about credentialism of any type.
I've just seen so many narcissistic *****s in charge in so many organizations.
And if anyone signs a chart note with more than one or two separate 'credentials/degrees/cereal-box-cutout-proofs-of-purchase' after their name/signature, it is a GUARANTEE that you can disregard every word in the note that came before it.

 

[WisNeuro]

Recently came across a psychologist in the wild claiming to be a "board-certified school neuropsychologist" with their "certification" coming from this place. just wanted to post as I haven't seen anyone make fun of it in prior threads. American Board of School Neuropsychology, LLC. you know it's legit when the board is accompanied by LLC /s

This joke vanity board is well known in neuropsychology. Anyone who is a "diplomate" through here can be taken off your list of people to consider taking seriously within the field.

 

[chicandtoughness]

That awkward moment when you find someone you know on their “diplomate” list 😳