Good Enough Shrink
Hello there, we are child, adolescent and adult psychiatrists practicing in the Los Angeles area on a mission to demystify child psychiatry, and have conversations surrounding difficult topics on youth and adult mental health. But not without a bit of play along the way!
The title of this podcast is a tribute to the famous psychoanalyst, Donald Winnicott, and his concept of the "Good Enough Parent.” This is the idea that the imperfect but sufficient provisions of a parent will build a resilient child in an imperfect world. We want to empower children and parents to embrace their strengths and flaws, and know that you are good enough.
Importantly, we want to emphasize the power of holding difficult emotions from the lens of attachment theory. Attachment theory is based on the idea that humans need a social bond with another to survive. This bond, when it is “good enough”, serves as a secure base from which a child can explore the world. When this attachment is disrupted, it can lead to emotional issues and sometimes full-blown psychiatric disorders. This is where therapists and psychiatrists come in.
This podcast is for the curious adults, parents, family members, mental health professionals and trainees. So we hope you join us in this adventure to explore mental health from a developmental perspective. Small wins can have big impacts, and you are not doomed if you had adversity in your childhood. Your feelings belong to you, and you can own them to propel you toward enlivening your life.
Good Enough Shrink
Neurosis and Anxiety: What it is and What to Do About It
Hello there! This episode is a dense one. We discuss neurosis and anxiety from the perspective of childhood and growth. We go over concepts of “basic anxiety” and “neurotic pride”, reflecting on healthy and unhealthy narcissism fueling anxiety as proposed by the psychoanalyst, Karen Horney. We explore how the DSM anxiety disorders are categorized, the importance of a holistic approach to treatment, and the use of medication in managing anxiety. Lastly, we emphasize the need for us to do our own inner work to understand and manage one's own anxiety to better assist patients.
Have questions for us, or feedback about our podcast? Send us a message!
