In a fascinating episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal are joined by renowned psychiatrist and trauma expert Dr. James Gordon, M.D., founder and CEO of The Center for Mind-Body Medicine. With over 50 years of experience in the mental health field, Dr. Gordon has led healing initiatives in war zones, disaster-stricken areas, and underserved communities, offering trauma relief through an approach that blends self-awareness, self-care, and community support.

The conversation begins with Dr. Gordon's origin story, which includes his early exposure to compassion-driven medicine through his surgeon father and his dissatisfaction with the limitations of traditional psychiatric models. From there, he shares how his work evolved into a whole-person, mind-body approach that treats individuals not as diagnoses, but as human beings living in a complex world.

Dr. Gordon describes the development and reach of the Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM). This groundbreaking organization has trained over 10,000 professionals and community members worldwide to support recovery from trauma. He offers powerful examples of how teachers in Kosovo, veterans in the U.S., school shooting survivors, and Indigenous leaders have all been trained to bring healing tools to their own communities, regardless of whether they had professional credentials.

Key topics covered include:

• Population-wide trauma healing in places like Ukraine, Uvalde, Kosovo, and Sandy Hook
• The lasting mental health impacts of COVID-19
• Using virtual platforms to maintain intimacy in therapeutic settings
• How anyone with the proper training and heart can become a trauma-informed community leader

Dr. Gordon's latest book, Transforming Trauma: The Path to Hope and Healing, offers readers evidence-based tools for healing emotional wounds. It's written to reach those who may never have access to professional care, making it a powerful resource for both personal growth and community resilience.

Whether you're a clinician, a parent, an educator, or simply someone who wants to help, this episode will open your eyes to what's possible when trauma care is rooted in connection, dignity, and empowerment.

Learn more about The Center for Mind-Body Medicine at cmbm.org

To learn more about Hanley's Treatment Programs visit HanleyCenter.org or call 844-502-HOPE (4673)

What if the key to improving youth mental health, strengthening family connections, and even shaping the future of our communities was as simple as listening?

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. Rachel Docekal and Dr. John Dyben sit down with Dr. Zabina Bhasin, M.D., better known as Dr. Zee, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, global mental health advocate, and founder of Listen to the KidZ (LTTK).

Dr. Zee joins Dr. Rachel Docekal and John Dyben for a heartfelt and insightful conversation about:

• Her powerful personal story of growing up as the only girl in a South Asian immigrant family
• The early experiences with dyslexia, academic struggle, and lack of voice that shaped her path
• How cultural expectations shaped her journey into medicine and youth advocacy
• The founding of Listen to the KidZ and why listening, genuinely listening, is the foundation of all support
• Why adults need to be the ones to set boundaries and listen with intent
• How social media is not the villain, but how we use it matters
• Creating guidelines, structure, and mentorship that empower, not stifle, our youth

Key Takeaways

• Listening with intention signals interest, and interest builds connection.
• Kids don’t need to be coddled; they need to be heard and guided.
• All adults, not just parents, have a role in shaping the mental health and self-worth of young people.
• Social media is a tool; it’s up to adults to model responsible use and create boundaries.
• Empowerment begins with respect, and that starts by validating the voices of youth.

Learn more about Dr. Zee’s work at www.dr-zee.com

Visit hanleyfoundation.org to learn more about our programs.

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with medical researcher, author, and podcaster D E Foster, founder of the online support community Uneven Life and host of the Benzo Free and Uneven podcasts.

After taking clonazepam (Klonopin) for 12 years as prescribed, D E Foster found himself facing debilitating symptoms from what is now called Benzodiazepine-Induced Neurological Dysfunction (BIND), a condition he later co-identified in groundbreaking research. He shares his personal journey of loss, recovery, and advocacy, as well as his ongoing work to educate medical professionals and support thousands of individuals affected by benzodiazepine dependence.

Together, John, Rachel, and D E discuss:

• The difference between physical dependence and addiction, and why it matters.
• The signs, symptoms, and realities of BIND and it's neurological effects.
• Why benzodiazepines remain a “hidden epidemic” in addiction and behavioral health.
• How stigma, misunderstanding, and a lack of education impact patient care.
• Strategies for safer tapering, support, and community-based recovery.
• What families, friends, and caregivers can do to believe, support, and empower their loved ones.

This episode is a must-listen for clinicians, family members, and anyone interested in understanding the complex world of benzodiazepines and the hope of healing from long-term use.

Resources & Links

• Learn more about D.E. Foster’s work at UnevenLife.com
• Check out the Benzo Free Podcast and Uneven Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.
• Read D.E.’s book: Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal

To learn more about Hanley's programs, visit HanleyCenter.org or call 844-502-4673.

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal explore one of the most pressing and complex issues in addiction medicine today: the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) and the role of medication-assisted treatment (MAT).

Fresh from a conference focused on OUD, Dr. Dyben shares insights that sparked a deeper dialogue around the medical, ethical, and systemic challenges of treating opioid addiction, particularly the “medication-first” model, which often begins patients on opioid agonists or partial agonists, even if they’ve been sober for extended periods.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The “Why” Behind MAT: A nuanced breakdown of why MAT has become the standard for many, and why it may be necessary in a system where access to quality residential care is limited.
• Agonists, Antagonists, and Partial Agonists Explained: Understand the science behind commonly used medications like Suboxone and Vivitrol, and how they interact with the brain’s opioid receptors.
• Addiction vs. Dependence: Clarifying a critical distinction: being physiologically dependent on a medication doesn’t always equate to being addicted.
• Hanley’s Individualized Approach: Learn how Hanley Center integrates MAT into detox and residential treatment, always prioritizing patient dignity, preference, and long-term recovery outcomes.
• The Importance of Patient Choice: Why patient education, not fear, should guide decisions around medication.
• Systemic Gaps in Care: Why insurance restrictions, treatment hierarchies, and stigmatizing language are all part of the problem, and how Hanley is working to offer a different path.
• Treating Addiction Like the Chronic Disease It Is: Dr. Dyben compares addiction recovery to physical trauma recovery, reminding us that intensive support should be the default, not the last resort.

The episode offers an honest reflection on Hanley’s decades-long philosophy of treating the whole person — body, mind, and spirit — and why comprehensive residential care makes all the difference. From flexible detox to long-term tapering protocols and scholarship-based support, Hanley’s commitment to dignity and personalized treatment shines through.

Learn more about Hanley Center’s Treatment programs at: hanleycenter.org

Call for more information: 844-502-HOPE (4673)

In this intimate episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal dive into one of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, elements in addiction treatment and recovery: dignity.

John unpacks the Latin root of the word (“dignus,” meaning “worthy”) and reflects on how acknowledging a person’s inherent worth, regardless of their status, past, or circumstances, is not only essential in treatment, but transformational in life. Together, John and Rachel explore how dignity sets the stage for empathy, forgiveness, and ultimately healing, both in relationships and within ourselves.

They also share how dignity shapes Hanley’s approach, from the moment someone enters treatment to how families are reconnected through group therapy. It’s a deeply human episode that reminds us: every person has value simply because they are alive.

Key Topics:

• The definition and power of dignity in recovery work

• How shame often obscures our own sense of worth

• What it means to treat every person as a moral equal

• Why forgiveness is a process, not a performance

• The role dignity plays in family systems and Hanley's family program

• A powerful story about a therapy group with a prince, a rock star, and a grocery store clerk, each equally worthy

“Anybody listening who breathes in and breathes out can know that they have worth and value, as much as anyone else in this entire universe.” - Dr. John Dyben

Learn more about Hanley Center’s Treatment programs at: hanleycenter.org

Call for more information: 844-502-HOPE (4673)

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with Michael Herbert, a seasoned addiction counselor, interventionist, recovery coach, and author of The Recovery Roadmap: A Guide to Freedom and Adventure. With over 30 years of experience helping people heal, Michael brings not only deep professional insight but also a remarkable personal journey of transformation.

From running 155 miles through the Sahara Desert to feeding wild hyenas in Ethiopia, Michael's life is anything but ordinary, and so is his approach to recovery.

He shares why he believes the first months of sobriety are a time of discovery, not recovery, how he helps clients design their own unique path, and why traditional cookie-cutter methods often fall short when it comes to building a sustainable, joyful life.

Whether you're someone in recovery, a loved one, or a clinician, Michael's grounded wisdom and compassionate perspective offer hope, humor, and practical tools for real-life change.

• Why Michael thinks "recovery" isn't the right word for the early months of sobriety
• His thoughts on how to move beyond the 12-step script and find your path
• Why integrity isn't about being perfect, it's about being real
• How adventure and service have helped Michael and his clients grow stronger
• What families and professionals often overlook in early recovery
• How to build a life rooted in meaning, connection, and purpose

Michael Herbert has worked with CEOs, parolees, families in crisis, and individuals desperate for change. He's known for his Recovery Roadmap approach, practical, adaptable, and full of real-life strategies that meet people where they are.

He's run across deserts, climbed volcanoes, built schools, and walked with clients through some of the darkest moments of their lives. His work is about more than just sobriety; it's about rediscovery, authenticity, and building a life worth staying sober for.

Learn more about Michael's work at https://coachmichaelherbert.com/ and purchase his book The Recovery Roadmap: A Guide to Freedom and Adventure at https://a.co/d/4auZLAr

In this episode, we sit down with Katherine Murphy, CEO of NAMI Palm Beach County (NAMI PBC), to talk about what’s working now in community mental health. Katherine shares how NAMI’s peer-led model reduces stigma, connects people to care sooner, and supports families from first questions to long-term recovery. We delve into local programs, crisis navigation, and simple ways anyone can contribute to making Palm Beach County a safer and more informed place for individuals living with mental health conditions.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why peer support matters: How lived experience shortens the path from fear to help.
• You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis to seek support, early conversations save time and pain.
• Free programs you can use today: A quick tour of NAMI PBC offerings, from education classes to support groups and school presentations.
• Families & caregivers: Practical ways to show up, set boundaries, and avoid burnout.
• How peer-led education gives families and individuals the tools to navigate care and advocate confidently.
• Access in Palm Beach County: Gaps, new collaborations, and how NAMI PBC is meeting rising demand.
• How to help: Volunteering, training, advocacy, and supporting NAMI PBC events.

Resources & Links

NAMI Palm Beach County: Search local classes, support groups, and events. https://namipbc.org/

NAMI HelpLine: Information & support (M–F) 800-950-6264

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7).

Share this episode with a friend or caregiver who might need it.

In this episode of The Hanley Effect, hosts Dr. John Dyben and Dr. Rachel Docekal sit down with Dr. Antonello Bonci, Founder & Chief Scientific Officer of GIA Healthcare, and Terry Shapiro, Co-CEO and Partner of GIA Healthcare, to discuss the groundbreaking use of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in addiction and mental health treatment.

They explain how TMS works, why it offers hope beyond traditional medications, and share inspiring patient stories of recovery from depression, PTSD, OCD, insomnia, and substance use disorder.

You’ll also learn about:

- The science and history behind TMS

- Why it’s a game-changer for people resistant to medication

- The challenges and barriers to access in the U.S.

- How GIA Healthcare is working to expand its availability worldwide

This conversation blends science, innovation, and compassion—a powerful glimpse at the future of mental health and addiction care.

Learn more about GIA Healthcare: https://giahealthcare.com

Learn more about Hanley Foundation: https://hanleyfoundation.org

#AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #TMS #TheHanleyEffect