Ed Beckham, Ph.D., Psychology Podcast

Welcome to DrBeckham dot com Podcasts

Ed Beckham, Ph.D. — Sat, 8 Oct 2005 23:39:03 -0600

This is an introductory podcast explaining the nature and purpose of the podcasts on this site. These podcasts are produced for educational purposes and are not meant as therapy.

Coping With Stress--1

Ed Beckham, Ph.D. — Sun, 9 Oct 2005 00:06:32 -0600

This is the first podcast in a series of 2 on the nature of stress and how to cope with it. The importance of using active coping strategies is emphasized. However, it is also pointed out that both active and passive coping strategies have their place.

Coping With Stress-2

Ed Beckham, Ph.D. — Wed, 12 Oct 2005 23:13:57 -0600

This discusses specific types of coping which a person can use when confronted with stressful situations.

Negative Thinking in Depression

Ed Beckham, Ph.D. — Sat, 8 Oct 2005 14:30:32 -0600

This podcast discusses the role of negative thinking, especially how it relates to depression. It outlines the specific types of negative thinking which can occur. It also points out how each type of thinking is illogical. This is based on the cognitive therapy of Aaron Beck, M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania.

More on Negative Thinking

Ed Beckham, Ph.D. — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 22:03:50 -0600

This continues the discussion of negative thinking in depression and anxiety. Three types of negative thinking are discussed in this segment: all or nothing thinking (believing that we have to be the best or else we are the worst), mindreading (arbitrarily concluding that others are having negative thoughts about us), and fortune telling (jumping to negative conclusions about the future without sufficient evidence).

Three More Types of Negative Thinking

Ed Beckham, Ph.D. — Fri, 21 Oct 2005 23:14:34 -0600

This segment finishes off the discussion of specific types of negative thinking in depression. It specifically addresses emotional reasoning (basing thoughts on feelings rather than vice versa), mislabeling (giving minor problems very negative labels), and personalization (arbitrarily deciding that we are the cause of an external negative event).

The Four Column Technique

Ed Beckham, Ph.D. — Sun, 30 Oct 2005 07:16:05 -0600

The four column technique is the heart of cognitive therapy. It provides both a way of analyzing negative thinking and combating negative thinking. It uses four columns--the situation, the negative thought, the feelings caused by the thoughts, and alternative thoughts. The first three columns analyze how the person becomes depression, anxious, etc., and the last column is for challenging the negative thinking.

The Attitudes of Depression

Wed, 2 Nov 2005 19:51:21 -0600

Some types of negative thinking are not surface thoughts but lurk as underlying attitudes in the background of our thinking. These include the need to be 1. achieving at all times; 2. in control at all times; 3. perfect in all we do; 4. approved of by everyone; or 5. loved. While each of these is a normal desire when approached in moderation, the depressed person sometimes approaches one or more of these as dire needs.

Attributions in Depression

Ed Beckham, Ph.D. — Thu, 3 Nov 2005 08:22:24 -0600

Oftentimes, when things go badly, people try to find a reason or cause for why they went wrong. These causes are called attributions. Research has shown that some types of attributions are more likely to lead to depression than others.

Introduction to Assertiveness

Fri, 4 Nov 2005 21:36:13 -0600

This podcast deals with the importance of being assertive. It carefully distinguishes between assertiveness and aggressiveness. It outlines the formula for assertiveness often taught by mental health professionals.

More on Assertiveness

Sat, 5 Nov 2005 21:36:13 -0600

This podcast is a followup to "Introduction to Assertiveness."

Understanding Anxiety

Sat, 5 Nov 2005 23:30:13 -0600

This podcast explains the basic nature of anxiety and how it is related to the flight or flight response in the body."

Some Tips for Coping with Anxiety

Sun, 6 Nov 2005 23:30:13 -0600

This podcast focuses on some practical techniques for dealing with anxiety."

The Nature of Grieving--Part I

Tue, 8 Nov 2005 08:30:13 -0600

Grieving is a normal but painful process. Understanding the steps in grieving can sometimes help us to get through it without falling into depression."

The Nature of Grieving--Part II

Wed, 9 Nov 2005 08:30:13 -0600

Complications to the grief process that can interfere with getting through it. Finding the "middle path" in grieving."

Emotional Issues Leading to Complicated Bereavement

Fri, 18 Nov 2005 08:30:13 -0600

There can be complex emotions involved in the death of a person close to us. Some of these create a situation in which it is hard to process grieving feelings. Sometimes this can lead to what is referred to as "complicated bereavement."

Understanding Panic Attacks

Fri, 18 Nov 2005 18:30:13 -0600

Panic attacks involve the body, brain, and psychological processes. They can be very severe, but they are also very treatable. This podcast explains some of the current theories of panic. Understanding what is happening in this disorder is a first step in overcoming it.

Coping with Panic Attacks Using Cognitive Therapy Techniques

Sat, 19 Nov 2005 18:30:13 -0600

Cognitive therapy has specific techniques which can be applied to coping with panic attacks. These are outlined in this podcast. The podcast references drawings and tables in the Coping with Panic handout available on http://www.DrBeckham.com.

Social Anxiety--Introduction

Mon, 12 Dec 2005 18:30:13 -0600

Many persons have excessive problems with social anxiety. This can interfere with meeting people, dating, going to school, applying for a job, and career advancement. This podcast explains what social anxiety is, how it interferes with the lives of people who have it, and some of the negative thoughts that lead to it.

Types of Negative Thinking in Social Anxiety

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 18:30:13 -0600

This extends the discussion of negative thinking from a previous podcast. Persons with social anxiety tend to have problems with mindreading, personalizing, catastrophizing. They also tend to have a belief that it is awful and terrible if they are not always appropriate and entertaining in social situations. These negative thoughts increase social anxiety. On the other hand, knowing how to combat these thoughts can help the person to feel less anxious and can prepare them for the later stages of cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety.

Using the Four Column Technique with Social Anxiety

Sat, 17 Jan 2006 08:30:13 -0600

This podcast discusses two examples of using the four column technique with social anxiety.

Coping With Anger--1

Sat, 28 Jan 2006 08:12:13 -0600

This podcast introduces the issue of coping with anger. It lays the groundwork by discussing important words which are similar but different, such as anger, hostility, blame, assertiveness, and aggression. It talks about anger being a normal feeling which needs to be channeled and expressed in socially constructive ways.

Coping With Anger--2

Sun, 29 Jan 2006 08:13:13 -0600

This podcast is in two parts. First, it examines the issue or whether people make us angry, or whether we make ourselves angry. This issue is important as we learn to deal with anger and channel it into appropriate responses. Secondly, it looks at the spectrum of possible responses to anger, and which are helpful and not helpful.

Coping With Anger--3

Sun, 19 Feb 2006 17:07:01 -0600

This podcast demonstrates the use of the four column technique with anger. It is accompanied by a .pdf file showing use of the four column chart. The four column chart is located in the handouts section of the website.

A Note About These Podcasts and the Book Referred to In Them

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 19:07:01 -0600

This podcast clarifies the nature of the book referred to in the podcasts and where it can be downloaded.

Working on Relationships--Improving Intimacy

Tue, 13 Mar 2006 22:07:01 -0600

This is the first in a series of podcasts dealing with relationships. This podcast outlines five different types of intimacy and how they are important to building relationships and preventing problems from developing.

Working on Relationships--Improving Communication-I

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 17:025:01 -0600

This podcast describes specific ways of improving communication. It discusses the first 6 of 12 positive changes that couples can make in how they talk, discuss, and problem solve in their relationships.

Working on Relationships--Improving Communication-II

Sun, 2 Apr 2006 15:10:15 -0600

This podcast describes six more specific ways of improving communication between partners.

Working on Relationships--Improving Communication-III

Sun, 9 Apr 2006 15:20:15 -0600

This podcast emphasizes the importance of couples learning to talk about their communication as a way of improving it. It also discusses the two basic ways of trying to influence each other's behavior. One way is to prompt the other person using positive assertiveness. The other is through using positive reinforcement whenever the partner exhibits positive behavioral change.

The Problem with Perfectionism

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 16:52:01 -0600

While some people see perfectionism as a worthwhile and attainable goal, it can often be a trap psychologically, leading to depression, low self esteem, anger, procrastination, and problems in relationships.

Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Part I by Ed and Cecilia Beckham

Mon, 12 Jun 2006 22:08:01 -0600

This is an introduction to the disorder of PTSD. It discusses the major types of situations which can lead to PTSD and also the symptoms of the syndrome.

Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Part II by Ed and Cecilia Beckham

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 21:24:01 -0600

This podcast explores the effects of trauma on the beliefs of the individual about their safety and about the nature of the world. It also discusses the various factors which can contribute to the trauma having a greater or lesser effect on the individual.

Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Part III by Ed and Cecilia Beckham

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 08:15:01 -0600

This podcast begins a discussion of different therapy techniques and processes often used with PTSD.

Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Part IV by Ed and Cecilia Beckham

Fri, 22 Jun 2006 19:12:01 -0600

This podcast presents some very specific suggestions for coping with the anxiety and tension associated with PTSD, including relaxation, developing a place which feels safe to the person, and so on.

Creating Positive Behavior Change in Relationships by Ed and Cecilia Beckham

Mon, 19 Dec 2006 23:02:01 -0600

This podcast focuses on positive reinforcement and prompting as two of the most direct ways of having a positive influence on the behavior of our significant others.