Saving Normal: The problem of diagnostic inflation. Dr Allen Frances.

Dr Vanessa Spiller explains the history of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, offers tools to diagnose FASD and helpful pathways for Clinical Psychologists offering therapy. She explains why it is so easily overlooked in comparison with other commonly co-occurring diagnoses, and reveals FASD's alarmingly high rates of involvement with the criminal justice system.

Our guest today is Prof Tracey Wade. Dr Lisa Chantler speaks to Prof. Wade about the State of the Art and Science of Clinical Perfectionism. They discuss how it is defined, how therapists can identify traits of Clinical Perfectionism in the clinic, the history of the disorder, about the most recent CBT treatments, and what resources are available for clinicians.

Emeritus Professor Don Carveth draws on psychological wisdom from religion, philosophy, literature, as well as from empirical research and clinical practice, to understand how guilt influences our lives. Aaron Neaves explores the themes of Don’s latest book “Guilt: A Contemporary Introduction” in a wide ranging, thoughtful conversation. Together they discuss if there a biological basis for conscience; the distinction between persecutory guilt and reparative guilt; if psychopaths and narcissists have a conscience; if psychoanalysis can claim to be morally neutral; how understanding guilt changes our practice of trauma informed care, and much much more.

World leading neuroscientist, pain researcher and educator, Prof. Lorimer Moseley, discusses the complex relationship between our minds, our bodies and pain.

Professor Robyn Young from Flinders University is our guest discussing the presentation and diagnosis of Autism specifically in female clients. Our wide ranging discussion covered broader issues including Autism and the criminal justice system, changes in Autistic presentation with age, training for Autism assessments, clients who camouflage Autistic characteristics, the impact of Australia's NDIS funding on the diagnosis and assistance for Autism, and much, much more. Follow our Clinically Thinking Facebook page to find links or resources mentioned in the show.

Dr Aaron Frost with a challenge to clinicians: the path to improving client outcomes lies not in learning yet another new therapy, but in improving the way we do therapy, with consistent use of Deliberate Practice and Routine Outcome Measures.

Dr Allen Frances was chair of the task force writing the DSM-IV, but subsequently became an outspoken critic of the rapid expansion of mental health diagnoses in DSM-5, and what he sees as the over medicalisation of behaviours that fall into the normal range of human life. Dr Frances offers a US perspective on issues such as treating ADHD and Autism, the pros and cons of early diagnosis, the appropriate role of drugs in mental health, and strategies to bring public mental health care to the greatest numbers of people.

Assoc Professor Chris Lee tells Dr Sara Quinn about his career researching and treating trauma. They discuss exposure, EMDR, stabilisation, helping clients reach the "ah-hah" moment, and the importance of self-care for professionals working in this space.

This week Lisa Chantler speaks to Rachel Menzies about the impact of death anxiety in clients presenting with broader symptoms of anxiety and depression. They discuss cultural attitudes to death, CBT, Terror Management Theory and the role of Stoic philosophy in developing a healthy acceptance of death.

Cognitive Analytic Therapy integrates Psychodynamic and Cognitive Theory and is a transdiagnostic therapeutic modality that approaches psychological problems from a relational perspective. Matt Cartwright speaks with Dr Louise McCutcheon from Orygen, The Australian Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health in Melbourne. Links and more information about C.A.T. can be found on the Clinically Thinking Facebook page.