Behind the Stigma

Feb 01 2025 87 ep. 44 mins 2
Behind the Stigma Podcast artwork

Hosted and produced by Seiara Imanova, a PhD student from University of Birmingham, Behind the Stigma is a pioneering podcast that bridges the gap between the general public and the fields of Psychology, Psychiatry and Mental Health. 

Each episode offers a deep dive into cutting-edge research, featuring conversations with leading experts and top researchers in the field. Take a listen, as we uncover the science, challenge misconceptions, and bridge the crucial gap between academia and the everyday.

  Health & Fitness  Science
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Borderline Personality Disorder & Psychotherapy with Dr. Mark Ruffalo

Feb 01 2025 61 mins  
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak with Dr. Mark Ruffalo on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), long-term psychotherapy, and the nuances of diagnosis in mental health. We discuss object relations in BPD, the concept of splitting, and how these dynamics shape therapeutic work. We also explore the role of psychoanalytic therapy, the fine line between pathology and norm

Exercise, Depression & Research in Psychiatry with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano

Jan 10 2025 66 mins  
Send us a text In this episode of Behind the Stigma, we delve into the transformative world of lifestyle psychiatry with Dr. Nicholas Fabiano, a third-year psychiatry resident at the University of Ottawa. We explore the role of exercise in managing mild to moderate depression, its potential as a therapeutic modality alongside traditional treatments, and the broader implications for

Colonization and Mental Health with Dr. Summer Fakhro

Dec 14 2024 60 mins  
Send us a text In this week's episode of Behind the Stigma, we are joined by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Summer Fakhro with a discussion on Colonization and Mental Health. We define Colonialism and explore the deep and lasting psychological effects of colonization on different communities. We discuss how historical trauma, displacement, and cultural erasure continue to shape the ment

Personality Disorders, Neoliberalism, and Survivor Voices with Dr. Jay Watts

Nov 24 2024 67 mins  
Send us a text In this compelling episode of Behind the Stigma, we are joined by award-winning clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, and activist Dr. Jay Watts to explore critical perspectives on mental health. We delve into the impact of neoliberalism on mental health services, the challenges of Personality Disorders with a focus on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and the

Positive Psychology isn’t about being positive...so what is it? with Dr. Louise Lambert

Oct 13 2024 54 mins  
Send us a text In this episode of Behind the Stigma, we discuss what Positive Psychology is with Dr. Louise Lambert, a leading expert in happiness and wellbeing across the GCC. We discuss the science behind Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs), the balance between stress and strength-based approaches, and the importance of meaning over happiness in life. Dr. Lambert also shares

Finding Meaning in Mortality: Yalom’s Existential Therapy with Ali Ilyas (Clinical Psychologist)

Sep 30 2024 58 mins  
Send us a text In this week's episode, my guest & clinical psychologist Ali Ilyas, explores the impact and work of existential psychiatrist, Dr. Irvin Yalom. We dive into core themes like: mortality, meaning, death anxiety, and the unique dynamics of the therapist-client relationship, such as transference and countertransference. Ali shares how Yalom's teachings have shaped his

Race, Culture & Social Equalities in Mental Health with Hári Sewell

Sep 15 2024 54 mins  
Send us a text In this episode of Behind the Stigma, host Seiara Imanova speaks with Hari Sewell, founder and Director of HS Consultancy, about the intersection of social justice, ethnicity, and mental health. Hari, a leading voice on institutional racism and unconscious biases in mental health, shares his insights on the systemic factors contributing to racial disparities, the imp

Why Do We Sabotage Ourselves and Others? The Psychology of Self-Sabotage with Dr. Alex Curmi

Aug 19 2024 72 mins  
Send us a text Ever wondered why we sometimes stand in our own way? In this week's episode, Dr. Alex Curmi breaks down the psychology behind self-sabotage and offers practical tips to overcome these patterns. We explore key concepts like evolutionary instincts, personality traits, repetition compulsion, avoidance compulsion, and fear of change. We also dive into why we sabotage oth

Returning to Wholeness: A Story with Psychiatric Nurse Neseret Bemient

Jun 15 2024 102 mins  
Send us a text In this week's episode, I have an in-depth conversation with a former psychiatric nurse, Neseret Bemient, on returning to wholeness and alternative ways of healing. Neseret shares her journey as a psychiatric nurse and what her role entailed, her diagnosis of medication-induced bipolar disorder, and how her childhood experiences as a refugee were an integral part of

Holistic Healthcare in Psychiatry with Dr. Ally Jaffee

May 17 2024 59 mins  
Send us a text In this week’s episode, we're diving into the fascinating world of nutrition, social prescribing & community care in psychiatry with Dr. Ally Jaffee, a Multi-Award Winning NHS Junior Doctor. Dr. Jaffee shares her journey into psychiatry, the realities of being a junior doctor, and the inspiring story behind Nutritank. We go into the emerging field of nutritiona