Experts Connect with HelpMeSara
Sara Dimerman, Psychologist and Author of parenting and relationship books, interviews guests with expertise on a variety of relevant topics, to share what they know with you.
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The trauma of betrayal
07/16/2024
The trauma of betrayal
Sara Dimerman in conversation with . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Trauma and betrayal, especially in regards to couples relationships Some physical and emotional symptoms of trauma following betrayal The most common forms of betrayal in couples relationships Some of the ways that one can be helped by a professional following betrayal How to respond to a friend who has been betrayed Whether or not an individual, or couple, can ever reclaim their relationship as it once was, or make it even better Books/resources that can help
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Behind Bars: Are our prisons rehabilitating inmates?
04/16/2024
Behind Bars: Are our prisons rehabilitating inmates?
Sara Dimerman in conversation with . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Phyllis Taylor and what led to writing her book How well equipped Ontario's prison system is to rehabilitate offenders Issues that prisons seem either well or poorly equipped to handle Whether prisons are best suited for certain offenders and not the right place for others With crime on the rise, what Phyllis recommends in regards to keeping our streets safe
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Saying goodbye to a beloved pet
02/27/2024
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet
Sara Dimerman in conversation with about saying goodbye to a beloved pet. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: How saying goodbye to a beloved pet is different to or the same as saying goodbye to a beloved human family member or friend What to keep in mind when making the decision to euthanize Whether to include children in the decision to euthanize your pet Knowing when the time is "right" to say goodbye Some options when euthanizing one's pet Whether or not children should be present for the euthanasia Some options in regards to burial or cremation of one's pet, for example What's "normal" in regards to your feelings in the days, weeks and months following the passing of your pet Some ways of memorializing or honouring one's pet If there are other pets at home, what changes might you see in them following the loss of their companion Resources:
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Drumming out your feelings
12/26/2023
Drumming out your feelings
Sara Dimerman in conversation with about about drumming out our feelings. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Alexandra's personal journey and how drumming allowed her to express her feelings and heal when she needed it most Mindful breath, mindful movement and mindful hand drumming and how, by integrating breath, body and beat we may experience rhythm bliss Finding one's rhythm zone and how to clear the unhelpful chatter in our heads
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Is homeschooling the right choice for every family?
10/03/2023
Is homeschooling the right choice for every family?
Sara Dimerman in conversation with about homeschooling. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What homeschooling means Whether there's an age or grade at which it's best to begin homeschooling Whether homeschooling is the right choice for every child and family The benefits of homeschooling Whether there are any drawbacks to homeschooling, including the possibility of less socialization Whether or not one needs to have a background in education or working with children in order to homeschool them Whether or not children who are homeschooled typically continue with homeschooling into high school How older teens, entering college or university programs after being homeschooled, fare, socially and academically, for example
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Beyond school: How recent grads can prepare themselves for the working world
06/05/2023
Beyond school: How recent grads can prepare themselves for the working world
Sara Dimerman in conversation with about how recent grads can prepare themselves for the working world. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Whether it's normal or not to feel fearful about what lies ahead? Whether or not most people find that "right" job and one that they love right away Whether the work culture as we now know it - often hybrid or completely remote - is a detriment to young people going into the working world or of benefit to them Whether or not there's a difference between a "job" and a "career" How much should monetary compensation be taken into consideration when accepting a job What Stephanie wishes others would have told her when she first began working
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The power of perseverance in one's healing process
01/09/2023
The power of perseverance in one's healing process
Sara Dimerman in conversation with about the power of perseverance in one's healing process. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What took place on April 21st, 2022 when Carol suffered a spontaneous hemorrhage in her spine which caused paralysis from the waist down What happened in the days and weeks following that very sudden and shocking experience What impact her state of mind had on her recovery Some of the most notable factors that contributed towards her persevering each day Support systems that helped her most The power of perseverance in her healing process
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How to retrain your brain to manage chronic pain
11/02/2022
How to retrain your brain to manage chronic pain
Sara Dimerman in conversation with medical student about her personal journey on retraining her brain to manage chronic pain. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Neuroplastic pain What happened to Tera during her final year of undergrad at university and how her life changed after that Interventions to manage pain and how they helped or didn't How mental health is impacted by chronic pain Additional resources: , by Alan Gordon with Alon Ziv
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Is trick or treating on Halloween accessible for all?
09/14/2022
Is trick or treating on Halloween accessible for all?
Sara Dimerman in conversation with . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: , when and how it got started and its future goals How Treat Accessibly has grown over the years and the support it is receiving from communities and organizations How you can learn more about Treat Accessibly and what you can can do to get involved
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Why cell phones should be banned at school
09/10/2022
Why cell phones should be banned at school
Sara Dimerman in conversation with . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Why cell phones should be banned at school Whether, other than school, they should be banned elsewhere The impact of putting cell phones in the hands of toddlers or pre-schoolers The impact of cell phones on children's physical, psychological and social growth Whether it's ever too late to turn things around ie how parents can work towards breaking their child's dependence on cell phones or technology, in general How parents and schools can work together for the betterment of children's health
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How to ensure that one's human rights are at the heart of care in an overburdened health care system
07/21/2022
How to ensure that one's human rights are at the heart of care in an overburdened health care system
Sara Dimerman in conversation with . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The five universal WHO (World Health Organization) QualityRights Standards and why they matter in the context of self or a loved one receiving care How being fully aware of people's human rights, in the context of health care systems, no matter how burdened the health care systems are, helps make informed and people-centred decisions The importance of increased awareness of quality rights - on the part of people receiving care, their loved ones', and health care personnel, especially in settings such as the mental health sector where people's exercising of their rights is often limited or infringed upon What we can do to make sure that human rights are at the heart of care in an overburdened health care system
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I’m retiring... now what?
05/25/2022
I’m retiring... now what?
Sara Dimerman in conversation with . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What the word "retire" conjures up for most people Whether retirement is different now to what it was like decades ago What most people typically look forward to Some of the more typical concerns that people have as they move closer to retirement How we can begin to navigate changes successfully The impact on others such as when a couple retires together or one retires while the other continues doing what they’ve been doing for years Some dos and don'ts to consider in one's retirement phase of life
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Tics - can they be controlled?
04/12/2022
Tics - can they be controlled?
Sara Dimerman in conversation with psychologist . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What a tic disorder means The connection between a tic disorder and Tourette Syndrome Whether there is a typical age at which tics present themselves Whether or not gender is a factor Why tics occur Typical treatment approaches for tics and by whom Sarah Chana's latest book, No More Tics and how to use it Some dos and don'ts when you're around someone with a tic disorder
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Food for thought: How to manage a food addiction
02/15/2022
Food for thought: How to manage a food addiction
Sara Dimerman in conversation with Registered Social Worker . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What a food addiction means Whether or not it differs from other addictions, such as to alcohol or gambling, for example Whether or not it is recognized as an addiction in diagnostic manuals that mental health professionals refer to If food addiction falls under the same category as an eating disorder and how it differs from other eating disorders such as binge eating Whether or not some people might be more vulnerable when it comes to developing an addiction to food and why Some signs that one might be grappling with a food addiction How to manage a food addiction Some of the ways in which food addiction is treated What special training someone with an eating addiction should look for in a therapist when they are seeking help Resources:
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One woman’s journey into another culture and back home
12/13/2021
One woman’s journey into another culture and back home
Sara Dimerman in conversation with author . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: How Ailsa's journey into another culture and customs helped her to become more aware and sensitive towards cultural differences How her experiences helped her when working with others as a healer What Ailsa believes are the most compelling messages throughout her book Why she chose to leave the culture she adopted and return home
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How to pick up the pieces and live your better life after divorce
12/13/2021
How to pick up the pieces and live your better life after divorce
Sara Dimerman in conversation with author . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Julie's personal story with the intention of helping other women feel less alone, to know that what they are feeling is normal and to prepare them for what lies ahead. Practical advice for women who are also parents, how to break the news of a separation to kids and how to manage one's feelings towards an ex when you're around them. How to live your better life after divorce Tools for transitioning from being in a marriage to living without your partner.
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Multiple Chemical Sensitivities - what this means and how to cope with it
11/15/2021
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities - what this means and how to cope with it
Sara Dimerman in conversation with . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) means The difference between an allergy and a sensitivity Some of the signs and symptoms of MCS How to go about getting this confirmed and the benefits of knowing that you have MCS Whether most people who are sensitive to one chemical are likely sensitive to more or all Some of the more common chemical sensitivities The impact that having MCS has on one's physical, social, emotional and psychological well being The impact that MCS has on one's relationship with a partner or children Whether there are any known causes or triggers for MCS Where people with MCS may go to get help or treatment Options available to help people with MCS Whether most people with MCS eventually live so called "normal" lives
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Diving into depression and how to come up for fresh air
07/06/2021
Diving into depression and how to come up for fresh air
Sara Dimerman in conversation with . Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The difference between being sad versus depressed The varying degrees of depression Some of the most typical symptoms of depression How to go about figuring out if you are clinically depressed or not What causes one to be depressed The connection between depression and anxiety The connection between depression and sleep Whether or not someone can experience periods of depression even if they are typically not prone to being depressed Best treatment approaches How family members can help someone living with depression Hope after depression
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Healing: From the Inside Out
05/03/2021
Healing: From the Inside Out
Sara Dimerman in conversation with author, , on healing: from the inside out. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Lyndas' book, The Healing, and how closely her life resembles that of Cate's - the main character who leaves an abusive marriage after 26 years. What Lynda experienced in her first marriage and how she found the strength and courage to leave. The mixture of emotion that Lynda felt when leaving her home and city, especially since her youngest child, then 18, was remaining behind with his father. How Lynda's children were able to show compassion and kindness towards their father, despite being exposed to their parent's dysfunctional relationship. How Lynda's exposure to living with loved ones with mental illness has impacted her personally. How writing, along with other factors such as building close relationships and travel have contributed to her healing.
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Why don't they talk? What we know about selective mutism and how to help children overcome it
04/05/2021
Why don't they talk? What we know about selective mutism and how to help children overcome it
Sara Dimerman in conversation with Psychologist, , on what we know about selective mutism and how to help children overcome it. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What selective mutism means How it differs from mutism Some of the reasons that children become selectively mute Whether there's a typical age at which selective mutism occurs Whether selective mutism is something that most educators and parents are familiar with and if not, what they might think is happening with their child or student when they don’t talk Whether children with selective mutism typically don't talk both at home and school The best approach to treating selective mutism The availability of therapists who treat selective mutism across Canada What parents can do to help Whether it's advisable for a child to be told about his/her diagnosis Dr. Jemma Helfman recommends:
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The impact that being a highly sensitive parent has on you and your kids
03/27/2021
The impact that being a highly sensitive parent has on you and your kids
Sara Dimerman in conversation with , about the impact that being a Highly Sensitive parent has on you and your kids. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What being a Highly Sensitive Person or parent means Some of the characteristics of being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) The difference between being sensitive and highly sensitive How identifying and owning this trait helps you help yourself How it helps you understand how it impacts your kids Whether or not it's a good idea to share being an HSP with your kids Additional resources: . All her books and other resources are listed on the site.
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How to manage your anger rather than letting it manage you
03/21/2021
How to manage your anger rather than letting it manage you
Sara Dimerman in conversation with anger management specialist, , about how to manage your anger rather than letting it manage you. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Whether or not anger is a "bad" emotion. How to distinguish between when we're feeling frustrated and agitated, for example, versus when we're feeling angry. Physiological triggers for feeling angry such as hunger, for example. Whether or not an angry temperament is inborn or learnt. The difference between being aggressive and assertive. Some of the most typical environmental triggers that lead to anger in everyday life. Whether or not other people have the power to make you feel angry. How we can tell that our anger is managing us rather than the other way around. Some steps and strategies for managing anger. More about The Anger Managers and how they can help.
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Finding your way back to work after a Mental Health leave
03/17/2021
Finding your way back to work after a Mental Health leave
Sara Dimerman in conversation with psychiatrist and author, , about finding your way back to work after a mental health break. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Whether there's been a change in the number of people who are taking a mental health leave from work during the pandemic When taking time away from work, what is recommended so that this time off is as productive as possible Taking time away from school due to mental health concerns Whether or not most people return to work or school after taking a mental health leave Exploring options other than a return to what one was doing before Joan's books and how they can help
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How to successfully battle video gaming addiction
03/09/2021
How to successfully battle video gaming addiction
Sara Dimerman in conversation with video gaming addiction expert and author, , about how to successfully battle video gaming addiction. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Some of the red flags that you or someone you know may be addicted to video gaming The best approach if a parent suspects that their teen or young adult may be addicted to video gaming Factors that may contribute to someone developing a gaming addiction How to successfully battle video gaming addiction and maintain sobriety Support and information around managing technology from the time that children are very young Elaine and her son's personal journey How Elaine's books can help Supports for video gaming addicts and their families Elaine's resources: CAMH for 8 week group:
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The impact of stopping and starting school during the pandemic
02/27/2021
The impact of stopping and starting school during the pandemic
Sara Dimerman in conversation with about the impact of stopping and starting school during the pandemic. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The impact that this has had on parents, students and teachers. Some of the most challenging aspects of both having kids at home with their parents 24/7 in addition to online learning. What parents and teachers can do to help support kids when they are asked to stay away from school. whether there will be gaps in learning or whole years worth of learning lost as a result of how going back and forth to school has been managed. How parents can best equip themselves to help their kids prepare to go with the flow. What strategies, plans and resources can be put in place to support the current climate of education - in Ontario, Canada and around the world. Janyce recommends these additional resources: - New name for this now VERY popular site. Anyone can join in and broadcast their own view for free if they wish. Here's the backstory which really contextualizes it: . ... really says it all!
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How to promote healthy sexual development, from toddlers to teens
02/23/2021
How to promote healthy sexual development, from toddlers to teens
Sara Dimerman in conversation with sexual health educator and consultant, about how to promote healthy sexual development, from toddlers to teens. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Why it's important that teachers and parents understand how to promote healthy sexual development in children. How young is too young to begin communicating in a way that supports and promotes healthy sexual development in children and ways to do so in everyday life. Stages of development - from toddlers to teens - and how each stage requires something new or different in order to continue to promote positive and healthy sexual development. What a parent should be on the lookout for in their teenager – for reassurance that they are going in the right direction in regards to healthy sexual development. Some warning signs or red flags that there are gaps in children's sexual development and how to fill them. How parents and teachers can work together in fostering what children need to know when developing sexually Resources for parents and educators Additional resources: ("Dove Evolution" - this was part of a campaign Dove put out)
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How to Live Through Loss
02/13/2021
How to Live Through Loss
Sara Dimerman in conversation with about how to live through loss. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The different kinds of loss that we are likely to experience in our lifetime How unexpected or sudden loss differs from loss that is anticipated Emotions experienced by most human beings after someone close to them dies Whether or not it's typical for people to expect to overcome their loss within a certain time frame The guilt that people may feel for being alive and for continuing to live and potentially feel joy after losing someone very significant in their lives and how they can work towards experiencing some happiness again The discomfort that one might feel when talking to someone who is mourning a loss and some of the best ways to comfort them
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The Do's and Don'ts of Dating
02/06/2021
The Do's and Don'ts of Dating
Sara Dimerman in conversation with dating coach, , on the do's and don'ts of dating. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The role of a dating coach Whether dating is different in your fifties or sixties compared to your twenties or thirties, for example How dating is different now compared to decades ago Whether or not men and women approach dating differently How dating is different now that we are living through a pandemic How people can continue to grow their relationship, despite Covid Whether or not soulmates are a real thing Some do's and don'ts of dating
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Helping Newcomers Understand Canadian Business Culture
01/31/2021
Helping Newcomers Understand Canadian Business Culture
Sara Dimerman in conversation with , about helping newcomers understand Canadian business culture. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: How Brent Edwards got to where he's at in his career today and more about how he helps people who have recently immigrated to Canada What most surprises newcomers to about Canadian business culture The value of networking and how it's done Important things for newcomers to note when adapting to Canadian business culture
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Understanding what transgender means, from a parent's perspective
01/22/2021
Understanding what transgender means, from a parent's perspective
Sara Dimerman in conversation with , about understanding the transgender world, from a parent's perspective. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Understanding words used in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, such as transgender and cisgender, non binary and pronouns they/them. The difference between gender identity and sexuality. Giselle's personal experience as a parent of a transgender son. The stages of transition for transgender folks. Some of the uncomfortable questions people have asked Giselle along the way and advice on a sensitive way to discuss a child transitioning with their parent. How to guide a transgender adult child to advocate for themselves and how to educate family members - grandparents, for example, who might not understand or might be judgemental. Support systems that are in place for transgender youth and their parents/families. How actors such as Jeffrey Tambor who played a transgender role on Transparent, Laverne Cox on Orange is the New Black and reality TV stars Caitlyn Jenner and Jazz on I Am Jazz helped to raise people's awareness of what being transgender means.
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