Expert Advice From Helpmesara

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Heather Skoll about simple solutions to everyday stressors. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Why the Reset Zone app was created How to use the app What it provides for people coping with everyday stressors

Sara Dimerman in conversation with science fiction writer, Robert J Sawyer. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What led Robert towards writing science fiction books after he graduated from Ryerson The difference between being a science fiction writer and a futurist Why research is so important when writing science fiction, in particular Why some people are feeling like they're living in a science fiction novel Whether any of Robert's books predicted Covid or something similar to it Robert's prediction for our future

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Leonard Carr about how to tolerate and live with uncertainty. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Why it's so difficult for people to live with uncertainty What emotions does living with uncertainty typically cause people to feel Some practical ways for people to live with uncertainty How learning to live with uncertainty can allow us to become more resilient and able to handle disappointment

Sara Dimerman in conversation with her daughter, Chloe, on managing changes on campus due to Covid. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What's different about campus this school year - in regards to learning, going to the gym, socializing How students are coping with the changes The pros and cons of these changes

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Janyce Lastman about how Covid has changed schools and classroom learning in our "new normal". Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The main changes that students and teachers are experiencing this school year in the classroom, across the school and learning in general How parents can help their kids make the best of this new normal whether they are attending classes in person, or doing the "online school at home" option How tutoring organizations are working differently now than in previous years Some tell tale signs that kids are not coping well with these changes and what parents and teachers can do to help them Some evolving or upcoming concerns parents might watch out for as the year unfolds and how they can prepare for these in advance

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Lori Pearlstein. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: How children and adults play differently Why adults forget how do play and why it's important for them to be reminded how The benefits of improvisation and how one can apply this to everyday living

Sara Dimerman in conversation with a href="https://www.helpmesara.com/podcast-experts/#amm">Anna-Marie Musson about how to stay out of court when divorcing. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The difference between the typical adversarial approach we often think of associated with divorce, versus a collaborative approach Whether there any situations, such as when the situation is highly conflictual, or where there is child abuse or domestic violence, where collaboration or mediation does not work or is not recommended Some of the top reasons that a couple (and their children, if there are any) would benefit from staying out of court When it comes to mediation, what happens when the couple hit a roadblock Whether or not mediators or collaborative family lawyers continue to work with clients when they enter into court proceedings, and if not, why not?

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Dr. Noah Lazar. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Whether or not OCD is a form of anxiety The age at which OCD is typically diagnosed The difference between an obsession and a compulsion Some of the more common groups of behaviours and thoughts that we see in people diagnosed with OCD Whether OCD is inherited or learnt Other disorders that are on the OCD spectrum, such as trichotillomania and hoarding The most common approach to treating OCD and how this works The role of medication when treating OCD

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Vera Roncon. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Whether there is a difference between ADD and ADHD Whether ADHD shows itself differently in kids versus adults If its inherited or learnt Some of the most common characteristics of this disorder How a spouse or partner is impacted by living with another adult who has ADHD How having ADHD impacts how one co parents How to manage ADHD - with and without the help of medication

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Janice Goldmintz. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: How and why the loss of a child is the same or different as other losses Some "normal" responses to losing a child How the loss of a sibling impacts children in general The impact of losing a child on the parents relationship Resources & supports available What not to say to a bereaved parent Whether a parent ever "gets over" the loss of their child

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Laura Tarcea. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Some of the more common areas of conflict that arise when separating couples are considering the needs of their children and how to manage these Parenting plans – what this means and whether parents can create this on their own or if they need professional help when doing so How to help children feel heard after their parents separate or divorce What happens if a child resists spending time with either parent Lawyers that are specifically appointed to represent the child and when this may occur Tips for parents in regards to the best way in which to make the process of separating the least stressful for their children

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Francis Atta. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Francis Atta's story - from living a life of academic failure, involvement with gangs and the law, living in homeless shelters and not feeling a sense of belonging within his family - to rising above it to become as successful as he is today Francis's book, The Flip, and the messages he offers to youth to help guide them in a positive direction The important ways parents and teachers can behave towards children and youth to build a relationship that inspires open communication and connection

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Eleanor Silverberg. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Some of the tell-tale signs that aging parents are more in need of a helping hand than before Some of the feelings that the awareness of this change elicits for both adult children and the aging parent The best way for an adult child to approach their aging parent when offering help? And what if the aging parent refuses? Some practical caregiving options when stepping in to offer help The difference between the Alzheimers and dementia? How Eleanor's 3A Coping Framework and mindfulness meditation exercises can help both caregiver and parent

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Janyce Lastman. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The different ways in which students typically learn, according to grade and stage of development, beginning in pre school through to post secondary The "new normal" in regards to learning How students and parents can begin to prepare for September right now, before school begins How parents can best help their children adapt to this "new normal" How parents and teachers can work together to make this as successful as possible

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Cecilia Arscott, and her son Matthew Melchior. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Cecilia and Maarten's meeting and how their deciding to marry was received by their families How the messages they received growing up impacted their lives today as an inter racial couple Whether Cecilia has raised her bi racial children any differently than she might have if she was married to a Black partner How Matthew has been impacted by being "mixed" Advice for other inter racial parents and their children

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Dr. Thomas Verny. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Dr. Verny's book, The Secret Life of the Unborn Child and how things have changed in the field of pre and peri natal psychology since its publication in 1981 What types of stress have the most impact on an unborn child What a pregnant woman/couple can do to mitigate the impact of stress on their unborn child and on themselves How parents can communicate with their child in utero and the positive impact of this on the unborn child and after birth

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Katharine Love. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: Katharine's growing up years and how they impacted her – for better and worse How she overcame an eating disorder and learnt to embrace her heavier self How she learnt to live a more authentic life despite obstacles along the way How her diagnosis of Moebius Syndrome helped her understand herself better How she practises radical acceptance in order to find peace Why she wrote her memoir, Perfectly Flawed, and what it's all about How you can benefit from her life lessons and learn to embrace and accept yourself too

Sara Dimerman in conversation with realtor, Valerie Chubey. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: How buying and selling a home has changed over the years, and especially during and post pandemic The key players on your team to make buying and selling as stress free as possible and how to find them Market trends regarding pricing, best time of the year to buy/sell and facts about how many times people move during their lifetime The psychological and emotional impact of leaving one's home and why it is often so difficult Tips for decluttering, moving and settling in

Sara Dimerman in conversation with Suzanne Dennison. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: The difference between seeking help from, for example, a psychotherapist, counsellor, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist or Medical Doctor who provides counselling services Who the governing bodies for these professionals are and why they exist How to find a therapist Why some therapists call their sessions a 50-minute hour The difference between seeing a therapist in private practise versus one who works in an agency setting, for example Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and how these may help Whether all therapists charge a fee and what the typical fee may be How extended health insurance coverage can help cover the fee Whether a therapist is allowed to put someone's name on a receipt if that person is not present at the session What consent to treatment means Whether everything that you discuss with a therapist is confidential, and if not, what the limits to confidentiality are

Sara Dimerman in conversation with occupational therapist, Therese Oldfield. Over the course of this episode you will learn more about: What driver anxiety means How and why this type of anxiety impacts not just drivers, but passengers and pedestrians too Some of the reasons people develop this anxiety Treatment approaches to helping overcome driver, passenger or pedestrian anxiety Factors that impact the success of a program that helps this type of anxiety Whether other professionals play a complementary role when helping someone with these anxieties