Bear Psychology Podcast

About Bear Psychology Podcast

Dr. Anna Baranowsky is a Canadian Clinical Psychologist, CEO of the Traumatology Institute, Founder and President of the Board at Trauma Practice. She is the author of two books on trauma, numerous courses to help train professionals in trauma mental health and the developer of the Trauma Recovery Program for Self-Guided trauma care. She works with trauma survivors and those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on post-traumatic growth and recovery. Through her work she believes that when we share, dialogue and feel supported, it provides a powerful foundation for forward movement in our understanding and the care needed. In her own words "I have found that the most profound changes occur when a person truly feels heard and understood - I like to think of it as deeply BEARING WITNESS to life evolving. We can feel incredibly stuck when we live with our fears, stressors and troubles in isolation." Dr.Baranowsky is the host of the Bear Psychology Show, focusing on bearing witness to Evolving Mood, Mind, Health. Her talks revolve around recovery, relationships, work and life adventures. She is dedicated to assisting organizations and health professionals who help trauma survivors to ensure a trauma informed lens of care can grow in community health networks. With that vision in 1998, the Traumatology Institute Canada (TIC) was established. TIC has trained thousands of individuals nationally and internationally. Dr. Baranowsky serves on the board of directors of the Academy of Traumatology and is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and is recognized by The National Center for Crisis Management. She has published in the area of Post-Traumatic Stress, Compassion Fatigue, and therapeutic relationships (the Silencing Response). Copyright: Dr. Anna Baranowsky, 2020

Publisher

Dr. Anna Baranowsky

Category

education · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

16 Jan 2019

Latest episode

24 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

97 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Good decision making in mental health care

   If you or someone you know receives mental health care do you feel confident in the services being provided? Or are you left with question or concerns? Mental health awareness and treatment has grown into a global priority. One in five experience mental illness in their lifetime, and those who suffer are coming forward in unprecedented numbers. As more people seek care, we must also reflect on whether providers are meeting demands through existing systems and mental health care approaches. In their book, Managing Uncertainty in Mental Health Care, Drs. Patricia Rockman and José Silveira critically examine core assumptions informing the primary approaches currently used to assess mental illness in clinical settings, with an emphasis on clinician certainty. They illustrate how current diagnostic frameworks relate to clinician decision making and if overconfidence may lead to errors in judgment.  Silveira and Rockman consider potential strategies for lessening the impact of possible errors. This book reflects on the possibility of errors in clinical judgment, independent of competence and experience, and the need to apply mental health practices that address the needs of the client. Rockman and Silveira address the issue of clinical error and provide a novel perspective in the application of reducing harm in practice. DESCRIPTION OF THE AUTHORS - Patricia Rockman Monday, CCFP, FCFP is a physician with a focused practice in mental health.  She is also an associate professor at the University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine cross appointed to Psychiatry. Patricia Rockman is a co-author of a number of books on mindfulness-based programs. She is a trained Yoga teacher and has been teaching about stress, psychotherapy, mindfulness, change management and other mental health issues for over thirty-five years. José Maria Alves da Silveira B.Sc., M.D., FRCPC, DABAM Dr. José Silveira is currently an Associate Medical Director with the Ontario Medical Association Physician Health Program.  He is certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Psychiatry and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine. Dr. Silveira is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto in Canada.  His academic promotion recognized his Creative Professional Activity and its positive impact on aiding clinicians across multiple disciplines in managing complexity and uncertainty in mental health and addictions.  José's expertise has developed over the course of 28 years and a variety of roles. Dr. Silveira has chaired committees reviewing adverse events in clinical practice; provided oversight as Chief and Medical Director of an inner-city hospital mental health and addiction program; and has been Co-Chair of the Medical Advisory Council of one of Canada's largest academic health science centers. Throughout his roles he remained active in clinical practice.  His attention to uncertainty and the impact on both clients and clinicians has also been informed by reviews of numerous client complaints relating to mental health and addiction clinician care; serving for both defense and complainants in civil and criminal cases, and review of cases for Coroner's Inquests. He is a coauthor of the book, Managing Uncertainty in Mental Health Care, published by Oxford University Press in November 2021. What critics are saying about the book - "This book is about coming to grips with the uncertainty and complexity inherent to the assessment of people presenting with possible mental disorders. It is an exploration of the impact of objective uncertainty on clinical judgment and decision making and its relevance to mental health care." If you are interested in learning more about irreducible uncertainty and complexity on approaches to clinician training, then this podcast is for you. Links & Resources: Link to purchase copy of the book: https://link.amazon/B05ETBUqJ Link to other books written by Patricia Rockman: https://www.amazon.ca/stores/author/B07QZX2RPG/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=d0088284-ae5a-4e1a-b346-e67bdfc573a0

2. 

   27 Aug 2026

   Internal Family Systems for Healing from Trauma

   If you have experienced trauma or neglect as a child, you may struggle with depression, anxiety, loneliness, and low self-esteem in adulthood. You are not alone. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)—including early emotional neglect—affect millions of people and have led to many of the greatest unaddressed public health problems facing our world today. If you struggle with shame or lack of confidence, or if you have difficulty creating or sustaining healthy relationships with others, take heart. There are techniques you can learn to heal the pain of your past and take charge of your future. This workbook will help you get started. Grounded in the evidence-based approach of internal family systems therapy (IFS), this workbook provides a supportive, effective framework for continued healing. By "reparenting" the parts of yourself that were affected by childhood difficulties or trauma, you'll learn to build unwavering self-compassion, overcome common relationship and communication challenges, and form healthy and lasting connections. You'll also find soothing meditations, experiential exercises, and other skills to help you regulate your nervous system, so you can break free from the survival mode you've been stuck in for years. Finally, you'll be inspired by real-life stories from other people who have been through similar experiences, and who've successfully overcome their trauma. Join the conversation with Martina Williams and Kyle Wehrend as we explore how to reparent your inner child, move past emotional pain and trauma, and build the secure, fulfilling, and connected life we all truly deserve. Know more about the authors: Martina Williams, LCMHC, is a clinically licensed psychotherapist, international coach, certified internal family systems (IFS) therapist, and Approved Clinical Consultant who has been using the IFS model since 2011. She was a trauma recovery therapist for twenty-five years and now specializes in working with highly sensitive persons like herself. Kyle Wehrend, LICSW, is a clinically licensed social worker, certified IFS therapist and the owner of Move Within LLC, a private practice that provides individual and group psychotherapy, and facilitates IFS workshops and retreats. He has been working with the IFS model since 2016 and was a co-presenter at the IFS International Conference in 2023. This book is a supportive and empowering workbook to help you heal unresolved childhood wounds, cultivate self-compassion, and form healthy and lasting connections.  If you find yourself wanting to learn more about this topic, then this podcast is for you. Links & Resources: Link to copy of the book: https://link.amazon/B0d1bLOdB Link to Martina William's  organization: https://www.theresilientsensitive.com/

3. 

   30 Jul 2026

   Using MDMA therapy to improve relationships and manage conflict

   MDMA or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine is a synthetic psychoactive medicine that alters mood and perception.  It has been shown to be highly effective for treating trauma. Some studies have shown 71% to 86% of participants achieved clinically meaningful improvements, and about half no longer met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. It is now being used to address relational conflict and improving relationships. The book Ecstasy for Couples was written to better understand this exploratory intervention and how couples are using MDMA to better understand each other and work on improving relationships. In this comprehensive book written by Jonathan Robinson, one might learn: How a trained facilitator can help guide a couple to overcome entrenched problems Managing potential unpleasant side effects related to this treatment Why a 5-hour couples' session with MDMA may lead to rapid relational improvements Join the conversation with Jonathan Robinson as we explore how to optimize the potential therapeutic benefit of MDMA. Jonathan Robinson is a psychotherapist, author, and professional speaker from Northern California. He has written about happiness, emotional healing and spiritual growth reaching large audiences.  He has appeared on The Oprah Show, CNN and numerous talk shows. He is also the author of The Enlightenment Project: How I went from depressed to Blessed, and you can too. If you are interested in learning more about the process, the power, and the use of empathy in therapy, this podcast is for you. Links & Resources: Link to purchase Ecstasy for  Couples:  https://amzn.to/4wmZjDY (Amazon) Link to know more about Ecstasy for Couples: https://xtcforcouples.net/ Link to other books written by Jonathan  Robinson: https://amzn.to/4bDYGNS (https://amzn.to/4bDYGNS) (Amazon) Link to Jonathan Robinson's  website: https://findinghappiness.com/get-to-know-me/ Materials to Reference: Link to Jonathan's Podcast "Awareness  Explorer": https://www.awarenessexplorers.com/ Link to Jonathan's Book " The Enlightenment  Project": https://www.theenlightenmentproject.net/

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

644,653

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 42 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

31

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

50

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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