loader from loading.io

Medical Assistance in Dying – loving someone through the process

Bear Psychology Podcast

Release Date: 10/03/2024

Schizoid Personality Disorder and a life of challenge show art Schizoid Personality Disorder and a life of challenge

Bear Psychology Podcast

Blair Sorrel shares her journey of living with Schizoid Personality Disorder and learning to accept and love herself. She undercovers further elements of her life growing up in a family of origin where she experienced ridicule leading to low self-worth, social anxiety and a debilitating fear of authority figures.   She explores a home life with “poor parenting” which undermined her academic and career disappointments. She reflects on the importance of nurturing caregivers to allow the flourishing of Intelligence and genetics toward success. In her book, “A Schizoid at Smith: How...

info_outline Your Historical Trauma show art Your Historical Trauma

Bear Psychology Podcast

Looking for a new approach for self-help or to support individual or group therapy for those who experienced childhood trauma? In his guidebook, “The Historical Trauma Programme - For Self-help or to Support Individual Therapy” Bill Wahl introduces a comprehensive and science-based model of working with trauma. With over ten years in the field, Counselling Psychologist Bill Wahl and 3 dozen NHS colleagues developed workbook-based models of trauma therapy which can be used for self-help, to support individual therapy, or as a comprehensive model of group therapy. The approach is reflected...

info_outline Dopamine Nation – Freeing Ourselves from Overconsumption / Instant Gratification show art Dopamine Nation – Freeing Ourselves from Overconsumption / Instant Gratification

Bear Psychology Podcast

It seems clear to me, that if we are constantly striving to experience only pleasure we will certainly land in a hurting world of pain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (or chemical messenger, which the brain produces) that plays a big role in the experience of pleasure. Instant hits of pleasure can keep us hooked into a cycle of gratification that results in an escalating need for reward, but instead leads to anxiety and a thirst for satisfaction that is never fulfilled. Our brains produce chemical jolts that can be evoked by emoji text messages; Facebook “likes”; shopping...

info_outline Use Movement to Heal Trauma show art Use Movement to Heal Trauma

Bear Psychology Podcast

“Embodied” approaches to healing include expressive movement, guided imagery, ritual, music and creative expressive interventions.  This goes beyond static medication and breathing exercises and into more dynamic practices. Pioneer Toni Bergins, brings active movement or “embodiment” into the toolkit offered in her book, “Embody: Feel, Heal, and Transform Your Life Through Movement” Bergins turns the processing of pain and trauma into an expressive art aligned with the most recent research. Her trauma-informed approach helps you release old struggles and shows you to stop...

info_outline Navigating Life’s Ups and Downs show art Navigating Life’s Ups and Downs

Bear Psychology Podcast

In her book, “A Very Narrow Bridge: Reflections of a Psychologist”, Dr. Rickey Miller shares her story guiding readers toward a greater understanding of life and the development of compassion for yourself and others.  Her book takes an important look at suffering, resilience and healing.  This memoir is a follows the author and her patients through heartbreak, grief, and anxiety toward joy, inspiration, and love.   She encourages us to ask questions and truly consider alternative paths to where we are stuck.  She suggests that we fail to ask ourselves if a...

info_outline The Relief of Letting Go show art The Relief of Letting Go

Bear Psychology Podcast

Having dedicated her life to helping others through emotional moments, Dr. Bea MacKay knows better than most that there are many things we cannot control in life. In her book, “Let Go of the Outcome and Let Things Fall Together”, she shares strategies for dealing with events we cannot change without feeling defeated. Her approach to mental health, embraces emotional wellbeing. Listen to our conversation with psychologist & author Dr. Bea MacKay as we talk all about her approach to reconnecting with your emotions and yourself. In this book, she walks you through how you can combine...

info_outline Understanding Narcissism show art Understanding Narcissism

Bear Psychology Podcast

If you have ever struggled with a person in your life that displays behaviors such as: lack of empathy; entitlement; a need to be the center of attention; negative reactions to any critical feedback; a grandiose sense of self; arrogance; manipulation and gaslighting; a need to be in control; demeaning and blaming of others and much more than this conversation will be of interest to you! “Narcissism: A Contemporary Introduction” by Dr. Richard Wood is a well-researched book that provides you with a deep understanding of the psychological terrain of the Narcissist. He distinguishes and...

info_outline Healing from Wounds No One Sees – From Military to Motorcycles show art Healing from Wounds No One Sees – From Military to Motorcycles

Bear Psychology Podcast

Dedicating your life to the safety and freedom of your country is a massive sacrifice military veterans across make every day. One of the largest challenges for these heroes is working through the barriers and stigma of PTSD following service and navigating their path of readjustment and recovery. Kurt Grant, author of “Shiny Side Up: On the Road to Recovery”, used a cross-country motorcycle trip to help integrate and calm some of the chaos in his mind following military service as an infantry sergeant. Listen to our conversation with veteran & author Kurt Grant as we talk about...

info_outline Our Emotional Connection to Pets and how it impact our lives show art Our Emotional Connection to Pets and how it impact our lives

Bear Psychology Podcast

So many of our listeners have pets that they cherish and certainly have shared struggles they might have with these animals.  I am a great animal lover and many of my clients have found solace in their relationships with pets in the home, at times feeling a great emotional boost from the connection.   With this in mind, I wanted to share the work of Denise Mange – who has written about her special approach to building a health relationship with the pets in your life.   A bark is not always just a bark and a bite is not always just a bite. Training a dog (or other animal)...

info_outline Overcoming Depression with Activation Strategies show art Overcoming Depression with Activation Strategies

Bear Psychology Podcast

Depression is a type of mood disorder that often results in chronic feelings of profound sadness and disinterest. Referred to as both clinical depression and major depressive disorder, it affects one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and can result in a range of psychological and medical issues. Sufferers often report difficulty navigating their day-to-day life and thinking life is not worth living. However, it is critical to understand that recovery is possible and that you are not alone in these struggles. Dr. Nina Josefowitz’s book “The Behavioral Activation Workbook for...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Upon receiving a brain tumor diagnosis in 2018, Cynthia Clark’s husband expressed his desire to prioritize the quality of his remaining years over the quantity. His desire was to relish his time with his wife and kids, which ultimately led to his decision to utilize MAID when treatment failed eight months later. After starting a blog to update friends and family about the process, Cynthia began to notice that those going through this same process with a loved one often reported feeling alone and unsupported.  This led her to write “The Many Faces of MAID: What to Expect When Someone You Know Chooses Medical Assistance in Dying” with co-author Carol Cram to provide those going through this experience some comfort and support. The proceeds of the book go towards MAID FAMILY SUPPORT SOCIETY.

The book is a compilation of 17 stories from those that have experienced the loss of a loved one through a medically assisted death. These stories show the raw and uncensored experiences of the storytellers, express a wide range of emotions, and offer glimpses into some of the intimate moments of their journey.

Listen our conversation with author and advocate Cynthia Clark as we take an intimate look into the experiences of people who have supported loved ones through MAID in Canada.

Cynthia Clark is an author and graduate of the University of Western Ontario. She is a trained executive coach, has spent time working as a management consultant and continues to advocate for many causes that she is passionate about. She currently is the vice chair of MAID family support, a not-for-profit corporation and charity that focuses on helping individuals who have been through MAID with a loved one. Cynthia herself guided her family through MAID in 2019 when her husband was diagnosed with brain cancer and again when her father chose MAID in 2023. She also volunteers her time at Dying with Dignity Canada and Bridge C-14.

Cynthia Clark’s book offers readers solace, camaraderie, and acceptance of their own feelings through this tremendously difficult process. The book provides the opportunity to explore the range of emotions you may experience leading up to, during, and following their loved one's MAID. It is made to be read at any time along the MAID journey to help those suffering realize they are not alone.

If you are interested in learning about what the MAID experience in Canada, this podcast is for you.

Links & Resources:

Materials to Reference: