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Bear Psychology Podcast

Dr. Anna Baranowsky is a Canadian Clinical Psychologist, CEO of the Traumatology Institute, Founder and President of the Board at Trauma Practice. She is the author of two books on trauma, numerous courses to help train professionals in trauma mental health and the developer of the Trauma Recovery Program for Self-Guided trauma care. She works with trauma survivors and those with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on post-traumatic growth and recovery.

Through her work she believes that when we share, dialogue and feel supported, it provides a powerful foundation for forward movement in our understanding and the care needed. In her own words "I have found that the most profound changes occur when a person truly feels heard and understood - I like to think of it as deeply BEARING WITNESS to life evolving. We can feel incredibly stuck when we live with our fears, stressors and troubles in isolation."

Dr.Baranowsky is the host of the Bear Psychology Show, focusing on bearing witness to Evolving Mood, Mind, Health. Her talks revolve around recovery, relationships, work and life adventures.

She is dedicated to assisting organizations and health professionals who help trauma survivors to ensure a trauma informed lens of care can grow in community health networks. With that vision in 1998, the Traumatology Institute Canada (TIC) was established. TIC has trained thousands of individuals nationally and internationally.

Dr. Baranowsky serves on the board of directors of the Academy of Traumatology and is a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress through the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and is recognized by The National Center for Crisis Management. She has published in the area of Post-Traumatic Stress, Compassion Fatigue, and therapeutic relationships (the Silencing Response).

Copyright:  Dr. Anna Baranowsky, 2020

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  2. Gratitude & Kindness: Easing Holiday Strain this Season

Gratitude & Kindness: Easing Holiday Strain this Season

Jan 2, 2021

Un-package how Gratitude, Appreciation and Kindness can help us all navigate this complex and challenging holiday season of 2020.

2020 is an unprecedented holiday season. COVID-19 has taken over the world landscape and changed lives forever.

I just put up a 12 x 14 Canvas wall tent in my backyard. I filled it will pillows, blankets and heaters.  It is freezing here, but the tent will make a few visits with those in our pod possible during the winter months. The tent has two large mesh doors and two mesh windows on the sides.  There is enough room, fresh air and secure measures in place to have a select few visit to share this space safely with us.  I am grateful that we have a strategy for when the COVID lock-down lifts again, allowing for safe connection.

We are now hovering around 2,500 to 3,000 live listeners for each show and I am grateful for your interest in our conversations and willingness to participate.  I love your questions, comments and feedback.  It has been a wonderful gift.

One gift back to our community is FREE access to the complete "Trauma Recovery NOW!" audio program.  Find at:

The remarkable Brother David Steindl-Rast (Author, Interfaith Monk) explains in his Ted Talk that, "we all know people who have lots of misfortune, misfortune that we ourselves would not want to have, and they are deeply happy.  They radiate happiness ... because they are grateful".  David explains that, "it is not happiness that makes us grateful.  It's gratefulness that makes us happy".  He goes on to help us recognize what gratefulness is and how it works.  He explains that when something truly meaningful is given without expectation that "then gratefulness spontaneously rises in my heart, happiness spontaneously rises in my heart.  That's how gratefulness happens."

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Dr. Robert A. Emmons (University of California) is a leading scientific expert on gratitude. His work focuses on research and practices for establishing this important skill. His book "Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude can Make you Happier" and "Gratitude Works! A 21-day program for creating emotional prosperity" are resources we want to consider during these challenging times.

Dr. Emmons book "Thanks!" Is the first major study of gratitude that illustrates how "wanting what we have" can measurably change peoples lives. In Emmons work, he explains both how gratitude can help us function better in work and life as well as myths related to gratitude (including the myth that gratitude is not possible when facing adversity).   His talk on gratitude is both uplifting and surprising. https://youtu.be/Cl5i1skE3vg?t=20

Connected with the idea of gratitude for what is freely given (based on Brother David's work) is those that are willing to be kind in their giving to others.  The research on kindness, demonstrates a sense of well-being that springs from kindness to others, particularly rich in spontaneous acts (i.e., helping someone up in a moment of need, driving an injured friend to hospital, dropping off a meal to a neighbor, helping someone who is lost safely find their way). https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/09/doing-good-boosts-health

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