In this deep-dive episode, I explore the growing crisis in psychiatry: a critical shortage of providers, the rising influence of investor-driven enterprises, and the transformative yet complex role of artificial intelligence (AI). As a psychiatrist nearing retirement, I reflect on how these challenges are reshaping mental health care and what we must do to preserve the field’s core values of empathy and patient-centered care.

This episode covers:

• The Workforce Shortage: Why over 60% of psychiatrists are approaching retirement and how limited training pipelines, geographic disparities, and economic disincentives exacerbate the crisis.

• Investor-Driven Enterprises: How the prioritization of short-term profits impacts care quality, session times, and recruitment, with real-world examples of rushed care models and burned-out providers.

• The Promise and Pitfalls of AI: How AI tools can streamline diagnostics, improve access, and enhance treatment—but also risk reducing psychiatry to impersonal algorithms if misused in profit-driven systems.

• Solutions for the Future: Expanding residency programs, empowering advanced practice providers, leveraging telepsychiatry, and advocating for independent practices and ethical use of AI.

This is not just a conversation about the challenges—it’s a call to action. Whether you’re a provider, policymaker, or mental health advocate, join me as I unpack the complexities of psychiatry’s current landscape and envision a future where innovation and compassion go hand in hand. Together, we’ll explore how to balance profitability with care, technology with humanity, and build a system that prioritizes long-term impact over short-term gains.

Neuron-Connect and Metropolitan Consulting proudly present this new podcast—a deep dive into the invisible yet life-altering impact of closed head injuries. Hosted by an experienced psychiatrist, this episode explores the complexities of mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries (TBI), where standard imaging like MRIs and CT scans often fall short in detecting the real damage.

We discuss how clinical diagnoses, advanced tools like QEEG (Quantitative Electroencephalography), and cutting-edge therapies such as Neurofeedback (NFB) are reshaping how we understand and treat these injuries. Learn about the longitudinal nature of TBI, the limitations of conventional approaches, and how these innovations pave the way for better outcomes and clearer advocacy in legal and clinical settings.

https://neuron-connect.com. https://myndhi.org

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, attorney, or simply interested in the science of the brain, this podcast offers compelling insights into the intersection of neuropsychiatry and the law. Don’t miss this chance to discover how the future of brain injury care is being redefined.

In this episode, Dr. Lauro Amezcua-Patino explores the transformative power of living a values-driven life. Drawing on decades of experience in psychiatry and leadership, Dr. Amezcua-Patino challenges the societal norm of defining worth by achievements. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of letting human values like empathy, integrity, and compassion guide our actions and accomplishments.

Through personal stories and professional insights, he explains why grounding ourselves in our values leads to authentic, fulfilling success and how prioritizing "being" over "doing" can reshape our relationships, careers, and communities. This episode is a call to action for listeners to reflect on what truly matters and to redefine success on their own terms.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation that reminds us: true success begins with who we are, not what we do.

Welcome to Mental Health Deep Dive, the podcast that takes an in-depth look at the world of therapy and its transformative power. In each episode, we'll explore the diverse landscape of therapy, debunk common misconceptions, and illuminate the profound benefits it can offer. Through insightful conversations, expert interviews, and relatable stories, we'll dive deep into the various types of therapy available, helping you understand which approach might be the best fit for your unique needs. We'll discuss how therapy can empower you to navigate life's challenges, cultivate emotional well-being, and unlock your true potential. Whether you're new to therapy or a seasoned veteran, Mental Health Deep Dive is your go-to resource for all things mental health. Join us as we embark on a journey of self-discovery, growth, and healing. Remember, therapy isn't just for those struggling; it's a powerful tool for anyone seeking a more fulfilling and empowered life.

In this episode, Dr. Lauro Amezcua-Patino, a psychiatrist with a knack for sarcasm and an eye for holiday survival tactics, dives into the art of navigating politically charged family gatherings. He offers practical, lighthearted tips for keeping the peace when conversations start veering into contentious territory. You’ll learn how to set boundaries, find common ground, and even master the delicate skill of gracefully stepping away when things get heated.

Dr. Amezcua-Patino starts by emphasizing the power of pre-set boundaries, like gently declaring politics off-limits or redirecting conversations toward safer topics. He shares tips for using empathy and curiosity to diffuse tension, suggesting that instead of debating, listeners should try open-ended questions that keep the dialogue respectful. And when all else fails, he suggests go-to distractions like holiday games or storytelling to steer the focus back to family fun.

Listeners will get Dr. Amezcua-Patino’s advice on self-care techniques during the holiday marathon, including how to take breaks, know your limits, and when it’s perfectly okay to agree to disagree. Plus, he outlines how to stand your ground assertively (but calmly) when someone won’t respect your boundaries.

For those tougher moments, Dr. Amezcua-Patino discusses how to walk away respectfully and offers insights on knowing when it’s okay to "tell them to stick it"—in a way that protects your peace without creating unnecessary drama.

Tune in for an entertaining yet thoughtful episode filled with examples, quirky insights, and a psychiatrist’s practical wisdom for navigating holiday gatherings with grace, humor, and sanity intact.

https://tinyurl.com/5h8zp7kx

In this episode, "Beyond the Checklist: Rethinking Mental Health Care in a Bio-Psycho-Social World," we dive into the often-overlooked complexities of mental health care and challenge the current reliance on standardized diagnoses and polypharmacy. Join us as we explore why treating individuals as a set of DSM codes or prescriptions falls short and how a bio-psycho-social approach offers a more holistic, personalized path to recovery. Through real-world examples and expert insights, we discuss how factors like genetics, life history, and social environment shape mental health and why these dimensions need to be integral to treatment.

Our conversation sheds light on how moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach can lead to more meaningful and lasting change. This episode is brought to you by Neurodynamic Health Integration (NDHI)—where science meets empathy in mental health. To learn more, visit myndhi.org.

In this episode of Brain Matters: A Deep Dive into TBI, listen to our conversation as we explore the hidden complexities of mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) with leading experts in neurology and psychiatry. Together, we unravel the challenges these "invisible" injuries pose in clinical practice, disability assessment, and legal contexts. From understanding the mechanisms behind diffuse axonal injury (DAI) to examining the limits of traditional imaging, the discussion highlights how advanced tools like Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Quantitative EEG (QEEG) are transforming TBI diagnostics and treatment.

Gain insights into how subtle, delayed symptoms—often overlooked in mild cases—can have long-term impacts on cognitive, emotional, and functional health. We emphasize the critical role of early detection, patient advocacy, and continued clinician education to improve TBI care and outcomes. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, a legal professional, or someone touched by TBI, this episode offers a thorough, conversational look into the science and solutions shaping the future of brain injury management.

This Podcast from Reverie Mind, a provider of ketamine therapy, explains how ketamine works as a treatment for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It differs from traditional antidepressants by acting on the glutamate system in the brain, promoting neural connections and increasing brain plasticity. Ketamine infusions allow patients to experience a dissociative state that helps reset the brain and break free from negative thought patterns. Although some clinics emphasize therapy during infusions, Reveriemind highlights that ketamine's primary benefit lies in its biological impact on the brain. While therapy can be helpful, it is not required for the treatment's efficacy. Following an infusion, many patients experience a window of enhanced emotional flexibility, allowing them to process emotions, cope with their condition, and find a sense of well-being. www.reveriemind.com