Television Programs

I am the producer and host of a weekly cable television program called “Managing the Problems of Daily Living” on Bloomfield Community Television. My mission is to provide tools and strategies to help members of the community cope with a variety of concerns. I interviews experts in the fields of drug and alcohol abuse, cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety and depression, cancer and other illnesses, bereavement, elder care, bipolar disorder, death by suicide, eating disorders, pregnancy loss, ADHD, learning disabilities, sexual disorders, relationship difficulties, divorce, PTSD, weight loss and self empowerment, LGBTQ therapy, equine therapy, and utilizing your creativity to move forward in work and in life.

Selected episodes may be viewed here on this web site. Additional programs are available on the Bloomfield Community Television web site video on demand. Can select for years to date including archived episodes from 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Episode 1: Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Lisa Kaplan LMSW, Community Education and Children's Program Community Education Coordinator, Maplegrove Treatment Center, Henry Ford Health System, West Bloomfield, MI. Etiology and development of substance use, rehabilitation, codependency, drug and alcohol awareness. Click to watch the episode

Episode 2: Cancer Treatment

Jordan Maier, MD, Medical Director, and Kathleen Hardy, MSW, clinical social worker, Karmanos' Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center, Farmington Hills, MI Cancer treatment, palliative care, radiation oncology, chemotherapy. Click to watch the episode

Episode 3: The Bereaved Parent

Harriet Sarnoff Schiff, author of The Bereaved Parent. Loss of a child, grief, bereavement. Click to watch the episode

Episode 4: Older Adults and Cognitive Decline

Elder Care with Tracey Proghavnick, Director of Information and Referral, Jewish Senior Life, and Debra Yamstein, Director, Senior Adult Service, Jewish Vocational Services. Older adults, cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, memory clinic, caregiver support. Click to watch the episode

Episode 5: Relationship Counseling

Terri Orbuch, Ph.D., “The Love Doctor.” Relationship counseling, marital therapy, strategies to improve your relationship. Click to watch the episode

Episode 6: Bipolar Depression

Diane Orley, Community Mental Health Advocate, and Dr. Stephen Strobbe, Clinical Associate Professor, Specialty Lead, Psychiatry-Mental Health Nursing, Department of Health, Behavior and Biological Sciences, University of Michigan School of Nursing. Bipolar depression, suicide prevention, mental health treatment on college campuses, mental wellness. Click to watch the episode

Episode 7: Eating Disorders

Jaime Taylor, DO, Medical Director, and Rosanna Maddox, MS, RN, CPNP, Hough Eating Disorders Clinic, Beaumont Health Systems, Royal Oak, MI. Anorexia, bulimia, new treatments for anorexia, Maudsley method. Click to watch the episode

Episode 8: Holistic Approaches to Cancer Treatment

Suzy Farbman, author of God Signs. Holistic and spiritual approaches to cancer treatment from a first person perspective. Click to watch the episode

Episode 9: Pregnancy and Infant Loss

Judy Kotzen, MSW, Beaumont Health Systems, Royal Oak, MI. Miscarriage, infertility, birth defects, pregancy loss, SIDS. Click to watch the episode

Episode 10: Bipolar Depression

Melvin McInnis, MD, Research Director, University of Michigan Depression Center and Heinz Prechter Bipolar Research Fund, Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, and Elizabeth Guz, Mental Wellness Advocate and Owner, Ella Jewelry Designs, Franklin, MI. Bipolar depression, depression, death by suicide, social rhythm therapy for bipolar disorder. Click to watch the episode

Episode 11: Adults with ADHD

Sari Solden, MS, LMFT, and Michelle Frank, PsyD, Adult ADHD and Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, Inattentive Type, Sari Solden and Associates, Ann Arbor, MI. Adults with ADHD, women and ADHD, strategies for ADHD. Click to watch the episode

Episode 12: LGBTQ Issues

Nicole Eisenberg, National Board Member of GLAAD and Joe Kort, Ph.D., Psychologist, author of Gay Affirmative Therapy for the Straight Clinician. LGBTQ youth and adults, coming out, family response to coming out, LGBTQ advocacy. Winner of the Philo Festival of Media Arts, Central States Region, Award for Recognition of Excellence in Media Creation. Click to watch the episode

Episode 13: Disabilities

Ronald Taylor, MD, Chief of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Beaumont Health Systems, Royal Oak, MI, and Justice Richard Bernstein, Michigan Supreme Court. Living with a disability, physical medicine, rehabilitation, physical challenges, empowerment. Click to watch the episode

Episode 14: Cognitive Behavior Therapy of Anxiety Disorders

Laura Lokers, LMSW, Director, Co-Founder Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI. Cognitive Behavior Therapy or CBT, short term therapy, anxiety disorders, OCD, obsessive compulsive disorder, exposure hierarchy, cognitive strategies, tools. Click to watch the episode

Episode 15: Children of Divorce

Jorin Rubin, Attorney, and Carol J. Schwartz, PhD, Psychologist. High conflict divorce, mediation, child custody, children of divorce, shared custody, guardian ad litem. Click to watch the episode

Episode 16: Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

Jeffrey Kuentzel, PhD, Director, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Marla Bartoi, PhD, Associate Director, Psychological Clinic, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI. Dialectical behavior therapy, borderline personality disorder, group and individual therapy. Click to watch the episode

Episode 17: Traumatic Brain Injury/Insomnia, Transitioning/PTSD

Robert Spencer, PhD, Neuropsychologist, and Sarah Richards, MSW, Clinical Social Worker, Ann Arbor VA Health System, Ann Arbor, MI. Veterans, PTSD, traumatic brain injury, combat veterans, insomnia, neuropsychology. Click to watch the episode

Episode 18: Equine Therapy

Kimberly Cardeccia, MS, LPC, Hidden Promise "Confidence Through Connection", Fenton, MI. Using equine therapy to gain confidence, diminish anxiety, strengthen medical concerns including scoliosis, socializing those with limited social skills. Click to watch the episode

Episode 19: Preventing Suicide at the Golden Gate Bridge

Sargeant Kevin Briggs, California Highway Patrol Officer, author of “Guardians of the Golden Gate,” San Francisco, CA. Increasing awareness, education and prevention of death by suicide. The Golden Gate Bridge is the first most used site/bridge in the world for death by suicide. Click to watch the episode

Episode 20: When Your Adult Child Breaks Your Heart

Joel Young, MD, Medical Director, Rochester Center for Behavioral Medicine, Psychiatrist and author of "When Your Adult Child Breaks Your Heart: Coping With Mental Illness, Substance Abuse, and the Problems That Tear Your Families Apart". Managing issues that are evoked when your adult child's mental illness, criminality, violence or inability to launch to independence and autonomy. Click to watch the episode

Episode 21: Cognitive Behavior Therapy of Social Anxiety Disorder

Debra Levine, PhD, Anxiety and OCD Treatment Center of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI. Definition of CBT, exposure therapy, and social anxiety disorder, impact on an individual in their personal and work lives. Click to watch the episode

Episode 22: College Mental Wellness

Todd Sevig, PhD, Director, and Christine Asidao, PhD, Co-Director, Community Outreach, University of Michigan Counseling and Psychological Services, Ann Arbor, MI. College mental wellness, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, LGBTQ issues. Click to watch the episode

Episode 23: Psychological and Medical Benefits of Pet Ownership

Ilana Mark Fisher, DVM, Veterinarian, Deporre Veterinary Hospital, Bloomfield Hills, MI. Benefit of animals to lower their owners' blood pressure, stress levels, cholesterol, and loneliness. Pets increase opportunities for exercise, socialization and elevate mood. Pets help people be calmer and more mindful. Pet ownership makes children more active, secure, and responsible. Pets improve the lives of older adults by making them more social and less isolated. Click to watch the episode

Episode 24: Issues with Student Veterans Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

Patrick Hannah, USMC, MSW, Manager, Student Veterans Resource Center, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI and Robert Spencer, PhD, Chief of Neuropsychology, Ann Arbor VA Health Systems, Ann Arbor, MI. Psychological issues and student disabilities, important to understand the veteran as a single entity versus a cohesive unit. From Mr. Hannah,"We are great winners in groups, but alone veterans struggle with learning how to be an 'I' again." Battle buddy and peer mentoring programs, insomnia related psychological and behavioral concerns, cognitive behavioral treatment for insomnia, suicide prevention, post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Click to watch the episode

Episode 25: Survivor of the Foster Care System

Shenandoah Chefalo, Foster Care Survivor, Advocate and Author of "Garbage Bag Suitcase: A Memoir", Traverse City, MI. An autobiographical account of a young child's experience in the foster care system. Discussion of resiliency and need for policy changes to facilitate foster children's success later in life. Training is suggested for foster families prior to children being placed in their homes. Trauma treatment is recommended for the biological parents relinquishing custody and for the children being fostered. Importance of CASA workers. Ms. Chefalo beat the odds and became a college graduate. Click to watch the episode

Episode 26: Social Anxiety Disorder

Dr. Joseph Himle, Professor of Social Work, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, Mr. Jeffrey Kukes, Director, Andrew Kukes Foundation for Social Anxiety, Boca Raton, FL. Mission of the Kukes Foundation is to educate, increase awareness and increase availability for treatment of social anxiety disorder and mitigate the pain sufferers are experiencing. Treatment can include cognitive behavior therapy, exposure and social skills training. Andrew Kukes was a young man who suffered from social anxiety disorder, was in treatment but was never diagnosed. The distress Andy experienced ultimately led him to take his life by suicide. Click to watch the episode

Episode 27: Drunk and Impaired Driving

The Honorable Kimberly Small, 48th District Court, Bloomfield Hills, MI. Judge Small has two programs for the schools called "Critical Life Choices" and "Cool to be Clean" to educate and increase awareness for our school age children. The consequences of drunk and impaired driving is discussed. There are 12-15,000 deaths from drunk driving and over 750,000 people are injured in the US each year. Click to watch the episode

Episode 28: Post Traumatic Growth

Whitney Dominick, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, Leah McDarmid, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, Eric BeShears, PhD, John Dingell VA Medical Center, Detroit, MI. Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) is a theory first studied by Drs. Richard Tedeschi and Lawrence Calhoun in the mid 1990s. They found that people who endure psychological struggle following adversity and other challenges can rise to a higher level of functioning. Moderate amounts of stress can effect an increased sense of master and toughness. People can become more confident and feel more in control of their lives. Furthermore, moderate amounts of stress were also associated with better resilience. Click to watch the episode

Episode 29: When the Doctor Becomes the Patient

Jeffrey Forman, MD, Medical Director of the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network of Michigan. Dr. Forman is an internationally renowned radiation oncologist, had recently been treated for a rare form of cancer. His recovery allowed him to achieve a new level of empathy for his patients and others. Examples of skills taught in an empathy training course include: improving listening skills, maintaining eye contact with the patient, sitting down as opposed to standing over a patient, not engaging in a monologue of medical terminology, paying attention to tone of voice, scheduling the patient for the end of the day and not allowing interruptions, and finding out what the patient is most concerned about. Dr. Forman noted that the spirituality or faithfulness of a patient can be helpful to their experience of an illness. Click to watch the episode

Episode 30: Stories from the Holocaust

Lori Weisberg, Governor's Council on Genocide and Holocaust Education, Docent Holocaust Memorial Center, Farmington Hills, MI and Rose Handelman, Child of Survivors. Stories of individual's journeys through the horrors of the Holocaust and for some their survival. A highlight includes a video of Henrietta Weisberg who survived the Holocaust but lost most of her family in the genocide. Rose Handelman told stories of her mother's experience including the loss of her first husband and infant daughter. Insight into how these survivors managed the atrocities. Click to watch the episode

Episode 31: Mind of a Champion

Jason Novetsky, PhD, Sports and Performance Psychology Coach, Champion Mindset Group, Birmingham, MI. Dr. Novetsky teaches his clients to better handle pressure, be mentally prepared, stay focused, build and manage confidence. Dr. Novetsky espouses a growth mindset perspective that states mental skills and toughness can be taught and learned to give athletes of all ages and sports a competitive edge. Click to watch the episode

Episode 32: Pediatric Anxiety Disorders

Emily Bilek, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Dept. of Psychiatry, Ann Arbor, MI. Pediatric anxiety and what people can do to help children who fall at all ranges of the spectrum; For example, what to do about everyday anxiety (prevention techniques, communication wide solutions, tips for parents(, what to do about clinical anxiety (resources and referrals, how to find a good CBT provider), what to do about severe anxiety when outpatient therapy isn't enough - the need in our community for partial hospitalization programs). CPT principles and help for parents to empower themselves and their children are emphasized. Click to watch the episode

Episode 33: The Hunt: Target, Track and Attain Your Goals

David Farbman, CEO of Healthrise, Founder and Chief Hunter, Carbon TV, Principal, NAI Farbman, Author, The Hunt: Target, Track and Attain Your Goals. Mr. Farbman utilizes a hunt metaphor for securing personal and professional success in life. Highly motivational and speaks to the importance of goal setting or targeting and tracking your goals. Click to watch the episode

Episode 34: Sexual Wellness

Renee Horowitz, MD, Michigan Women's Health Institute, Farmington Hills, MI. Discussion of pain with sex and its effect on relationships and self-esteem and sexual desire. Click to watch the episode

Episode 35: Impact of Reproductive Health Concerns

Brad Miller, MD, Reproductive Medicine Associates of Michigan, Troy, MI. Dr. Miller is a reproductive endocrinologist and speaks to the psychological impact of reproductive health conconcerns. Innovations to facilitate pregnancy and preserve one's fertility prior to medical treatment. Click to watch the episode

Episode 36: Resiliency

Hilary Sircus, MS, Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Definition of resiliency, creation of resilience, and what people can do to increase their resilience. Click to watch the episode

Episode 37: Anger Management

Hilary Sircus, MS, Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, What triggers anger, how to manage the anger response, techniques to become more assertive. Click to watch the episode

Episode 38: Clinical Psychology

Lilly Jacobson, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Bloomfield Hills, MI. Mental health issues affecting our youth. The need to provide interventions to insure positive messages of self worth. Click to watch the episode

Episode 39: Pet Therapy

Keith Fishman, Therapy Dog Coordinator, Henry Ford Health Systems, West Bloomfield, MI. The use of animals in the hospital to reduce patient fears and help alleviate stress for front line health care workers. Click to watch the episode

Episode 40: The Resiliency Puzzle

Julie Fishman, M.Ed., Author, The Resiliency Puzzle, Speaker, Educator, Consultant. What is resiliency, how did previous generations develop it,how is this generation of children different and the obstacles they face to developing resiliency skills. Click to watch the episode

Episode 41: Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program and Kevin's Song

Melvin McInnis, MD, Psychiatrist, Director, Heinz C. Prechter Research Program, University of Michigan Depression Center, Ann Arbor, MI, and Gail Urso, Co-Founder, Kevin's Song, Grosse Pointe, MI. Mrs. Urso brings a personal account of the life and death by suicide of her son Kevin. Dr. McInnis explains the profile of someone who is suffering, medications and other available interventions, and a future focus including research that will allow individuals to self-monitor their level of depression. Click to watch the episode

Episode 42: Beaumont Center for Mindfulness

Ruth Lerman, MD, Medical Director, Beaumont Center for Mindfulness, Beaumont Health Systems, Royal Oak, MI. Mindfulness is the awareness that occurs when one is really paying attention in the present moment and without judgement. Research supports mindfulness training to positively impact our physical and mental health. Click to watch the episode

Episode 43: The Price of Silence

Liza Long, Author, The Price of SIlence: A Mom's Perspective on Mental Illness, Boise, ID. The author and mom exposes the limited options for parents of children with mental illness and the shame that attends their perceived failures. Click to watch the episode

Episode 44: Managing Narcissists

Eamonn Arble, PhD, Assistant Professor, Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti,MI. The qualities of narcissistic personality disorder, the distinction between narcissism as a personality trait and a personality disorder, development of narcissism, subtypes of narcissism, treatment implications, narcissistic relational patterns are discussed. Click to watch the episode

Episode 45: Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety

David Burns, MD, Psychiatrist, Author, Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy and Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety, Mountain View,CA. Dr. Burns' well researched short term goal directed treatment protocols for anxiety and depression are discussed including his new TEAM-CBT enhanced treatment strategies. Burns discusses overcoming resistance by asking us to consider if the client's negative thinking patterns, feelings and behaviors keeping them stuck might have powerful, unconscious advantages serving vital, even life-preserving purposes? He further states that a person's resistance to change reveals something positive, beautiful and even healthy about them. Click to watch the episode

Episode 46: The Evolution of CBT

Joel Becker, PhD, Clinical Director, Cognitive Behavior Associates, Beverly Hills, CA. The history of the practice of cognitive behavior therapy, its popularity and prevalence. Click to watch the episode

Episode 47: ABA for Individuals with Autism

E. Emilie Weiner, BCBA, LBA, Lead Teacher, The Manhattan Children's School, New York, NY. What is autism, the importance of early diagnosis, what is ABA or applied behavior analysis, the relationship between autism and ABA, and how COVID quarantine has affected special needs children. Click to watch the episode

Episode 48: Anxiety Management for Children and Teens

Jaclyn Heller Issner, PhD, Supervising Clinical Psychologist at Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI. Symptoms of anxiety in children and teens, when anxiety becomes problematic enough that therapy becomes helpful, different ways of treating anxiety, and Dr. Issner's creative therapeutic interventions used with clients. Click to watch the episode

Episode 49: Executive Producer of the Simpsons, Al Jean

Al Jean, Executive Producer of the Simpsons, Showrunner, Screenwriter, Los Angeles, CA. Journey from home town of Farmington Hills to Harvard to Hollywood, what is his creative process, how do you recover from setbacks, and thoughts about longevity of the Simpsons. Click to watch the episode

Episode 50: A Psychologist in Afghanistan

Paul Zeizel, PsyD, Chief Psychologist, Global Secure Resources, Brookline, MA. Working with sex offenders in Massachusetts, forensic psychology and how to determine if someone is dangerous or deceptive, how Dr. Zeizel was brought in after an attack by helicopters to speak with individuals who were in a TIC or troops in combat, in Afghanistan with the FBI as well because they needed a psychologist to do polygraphs with the Afghan justice system, training for a marathon in Afghanistan, and missing the creature comforts of home. Click to watch the episode

Episode 51: Buildup STEAM

John McInerney, Executive Director at Buildup STEAM, CEO at Buildup Mobile, Birmingham, MI. Process of the bedside experience, sanitation within the hospital setting, benefits of bedside robotics, why use LEGO, reactions from patients and families, and what's next for Buildup. Click to watch the episode

Episode 52: Mood Lifters

Patricia J. Deldin, MD, Associate Director, The University of Michigan Depression Center, Founder, Mood Lifters, Ann Arbor, MI. Why was Mood Lifters created, what are the barriers to care, who is Mood Lifters for, does it work, workplace mental health and how to get involved. Click to watch the episode

Episode 53: Thriving after Trauma

Shari Botwin, LCSW, Author of Thriving after Trauma: Stories of Living and Healing, Cherry Hills, NJ. Stories of people who have experienced trauma and their process of recovery. Case examples of how one can move on and indeed thrive after a traumatic experience. Click to watch the episode

Episode 54: A History of PTSD

Terence M. Keane, PhD, Director of the Behavioral Science Division of the National Center for PTSD at VA Boston, Professor of Psychiatry and Psychology, Assistant Dean for Research at Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA. The development of the field of trauma and PTSD, defining PTSD, etiology of PTSD, how the field has grown and expanded over the last several decades, what the symptom list might include and how we can manage it. Click to watch the episode

Episode 55: Processing Trauma

Lilah Clevey, MS, Doctoral Candidate in Clinical Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI. What is PTSD, causes PTSD, why do these specific symptoms emerge, history of the PTSD diagnosis, differences between experiencing a singular trauma and repeated exposure to trauma, and treatment for PTSD. Click to watch the episode