United States of PTSD

Season One: Mental health concerns are on the rise in the United States. This podcast will look at the influencing factors contributing to the decline of our culture. With the rise of school shootings, political divisiveness, increasing levels of hate, and a chronic war of peoples' rights, we have entered a domestic war that never ends. Our podcast will look at whether this is done by design or is it an abject failure. We will discuss it from a clinical and common-sense perspective. Secondarily we will discuss ways to protect yourself from being further traumatized. Hosted by Matthew Boucher LICSW LCDP (licensed in RI) who has over 20 years of experience working with people who have addictions and trauma with a specialty of pregnant/postpartum women. Co-host Wendy Picard is a Learning and Development consultant with 15 years of experience, lifelong observer of the human condition, and diagnosed with PTSD in 1994.

Season Two: Is joined by Donna Gaudette and Julia Kirkpatrick BSW. Julia is currently working on obtaining her MSW and her LCSW. She is a welcome addition to the podcast.

Season Three: Cora Lee Kennedy provided research and worked as a temporary co-host. Dr. Erika Lin-Hendel joins as a co-host for season 3.

Contributors

Host

Matthew Boucher LICSW LCDP

Matthew is a clinical social worker in the state of Rhode Island. He has over 20 years of speciality working with people struggling with addiction disorders. 15 of those years were working specifically with pregnant and postpartum women who had co occurring addiction and mental health diagnoses. He has also worked in higher education for over a decade. He has done some freelance writing and has worked as a training consultant at various organizations.

Some of his interests, outside of work, include animals, gaming, traveling, and talking to new people.

Co-host

Donna Gaudette

Donna Gaudette believes in healing the body, mind and spirit through connection, mindfulness and cultivating a holistic and spiritual approach to well-being.

Donna has served as a spiritual advisor and intuitive life coach, supporting individuals navigating through grief, loss, and life transitions.

Co-host

Dr. Erika Lin-Hendel

Erika Lin-Hendel, VMD, PhD is a veterinarian and activist based out of Arizona. Although they currently practice companion animal medicine, Dr. Lin-Hendel has a background in developmental neuroscience, agriculture and food security. In addition to their clinical work, they are highly involved in advocacy work spanning mental health, education and social justice from a one health lens. Their current passions are centered on the veterinary profession's role in anti-war movements.

Co-host

Julia Kirkpatrick

Co-host

Wendy Picard

Guests

Guest

Christine Munroe MSW

Christine Munroe - Biosketch

Christine Munroe, MSW, is a Social Worker who received her BSW in 2015 and MSW in 2018 from Rhode Island College. Ms. Munroe serves as a clinical intermediary among the judicial system, child welfare, service providers, and families. Her daily work consists of assessing strengths and needs of her clients and their family system, along with clearly identifying treatment goals and services. Ms. Munroe serves as an advocate for families and often helps navigate agency and system boundaries. She is a dedicated recovery advocate who has been active in the recovery support community for over sixteen years

Guest

Cora Lee Kennedy

Cora Lee Kennedy is an MSW graduate student at Rhode Island College and a caretaker for her two children. She previously worked for Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as a research assistant and has years of experience working as a lead preschool teacher. She is currently interested in engaging children in art and play therapy as well as working with families and individuals for grief and palliative care counseling. In her down time, she enjoys reading, gardening and stone carving.

Guest

Heather Seger LICSW

Heather is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) who has worked in the behavioral
health field for more than 16 years with experience providing clinical services for adolescents and adults
in residential programs, inpatient units, outpatient settings, emergency departments, police
departments, and private practice. She is a former police response clinician for two police departments
where she developed a post-overdose outreach program and assisted officers with responding to calls
for behavioral health crises. Her husband is a law enforcement officer, and she continues to provide
training to first responders. Heather is passionate about helping others learn about, support, and
positively impact the first responder community.
If you are a first responder or family member in crisis, there is confidential, comprehensive support
available 24/7 at Safe Call Now (1-206-459-3020).

Guest

Kelli Frey CPTD

Kelli Frey, CPTD, is a consultant, speaker, and coach who has served as a strategist and thought partner to business leaders around the globe. She is a founding partner at PPL MGT, an HR Solutions consulting firm, where she specializes in facilitating behavior change to drive impact for individuals and teams. She also works at EAB Global as Talent Operations & Strategy, Associate Director. In her free time, she volunteers as a National Advisor to ATD chapter leaders across the country and reads about experience design, neuroscience, inclusion, community, and psychological safety.

Guest

Melissa Bowler

Melissa Bowler is a highly accomplished comedian and professional development facilitator. She has been performing comedy for the past 20 years and has successfully taught thousands of professionals. Her award-winning curriculum, ‘Connecting Through Comedy’ has been utilized in many professions and fields such as medicine, education, food service, human resources and more. She has been widely praised for her ability to help professionals build meaningful relationships and foster collaboration through the use of comedy.

http://www.melissa-bowler.com/