As an immigrant from Romania and a Los Angeles-based psychiatrist, Dr. Forest brings a fresh, unexpected perspective to mental health topics for professionals and laypeople. Her groundbreaking framework Better Than Cured provides the foundation for frank, in-depth discussions about mental health, medicine, and emotional well-being that will transform lives.
Topics
Each of these lectures has been designed for 90-minute sessions that include discussion and Q&A opportunities. They can also be adapted for half-day workshops that incorporate deeper examinations of the topic, practical exercises, and group discussions to help audiences personalize and apply these concepts in their professional work or personal lives.
For mental health and medical practitioners
Better Together: Combining psychotherapy and psychopharmacology for effective treatments and interventions
Current research has consistently shown that integrating these two approaches not only improves patient outcomes, but with coordinated mental health support, it allows for more creative, complex solutions and earlier detection of any issues. The fundamental principles of Better Than Cured (BTC) provide guidance on how to introduce this approach in a professional practice. Dr. Forest presents the data and evidence behind this approach and shares case studies and examples from her own practice.
Getting It Right: Identifying Crucial Factors and Underlying Symptoms for More Effective Treatment of Depression and Anxiety
Designed for general practitioners and other medical professionals who provide mental health interventions for patients with limited access to psychiatric care. This talk covers key factors to help medical practitioners identify whether their patients are struggling with typical emotional fluctuations or suffering from anxiety and/or depression. Is irritability and frustration coming from anxiety? Or could it indicate something else? Dr. Forest covers quick, reliable assessment tools that determine if someone is struggling with a psychiatric problem and needs additional support as well as first step interventions that can be added until a referral can be made. Participants will walk away with better tools and increased confidence in their abilities to support their patients’ mental health needs.
Medication for the Soul: Examining What’s Changed in Psychopharmacology in the Last Decade and What It Means for Prescribing
Psychiatric medications have come a long way since Prozac, and sorting through the data and latest developments can be challenging for busy practitioners. Add in the complications that arise when treating comorbid symptoms and disorders, and you can find yourself settling for mediocre results. This lecture will bring attendees up to speed on the most recent information available, share tips on balancing the desired effects with the dreaded side effects of medications, and discuss realistic expectations for treatment with medication alone vs. combined treatment interventions.
For Laypeople
The New Normal: How to Know When It’s Time to Seek Help and Where to Find It
These days, we’re all in recovery mode after a global pandemic that’s shaken us to our cores. But how do you know if what you’re feeling is normal sadness and frustration that will pass or if it’s time to consider mental health support? From dealing with chronic pain to getting back on our feet after major catastrophes, Dr. Forest walks attendees through how to determine when they need professional support and how to find it. She covers keywords to look for when searching for a therapist, questions to ask during the intake interview, and signs that indicate its not a good therapeutic fit–and what to do about it.
Happiness 2.0: How to Get Happy and Stay That Way
Once you’ve gotten your anxiety and/or depression stabilized, where do you go from there? It’s time to boost your recovery into the next phase, which is what Better Than Cured is all about. Dr. Forest shares life-changing principles from her signature framework to help people get over the pain and trauma of the past and get on with their lives. From how to identify good psychotherapists (or when to look for a new one) to understanding how medication may (or may not) be key to living your best life, this talk will inform and energize audiences as they figure out how to get happy–and stay that way.
It’s Not Me, It’s You: The Imbalanced, The Difficult, and The Toxic Connections in our Lives and What to Do about Them
Whether they exist with our family members, friends, or romantic partners, no relationship is perfect. Social media and text-only communication has taken a toll on many of our closest connections, and sometimes, walking away from people seems like the only solution. Don’t hit that “unfriend” button just yet! Learning how to rebalance our connections in healthier, more fulfilling ways will benefit everyone involved and lower our stress levels. But we also need to recognize when a situation has become toxic–and therefore, abusive–and the best ways to handle them.