The Bio in Biopsychosocial

Exercise, diet, and sleep greatly impact brain health and, therefore, mood and functioning. In this webinar, several physiological mechanisms by which lifestyle behaviors can affect mental health will be discussed. For example, exercise increases dopamine and brain-derived neurotrophic factor; diet impacts glutamate, inflammation, and advanced glycation end products; and sleep directly affects glial cells. The webinar will be framed within the developmental context of adolescence and young adulthood and focus on how helping young people who struggle with gender dysphoria, often alongside other psychiatric conditions, to adopt healthier habits can alleviate distress and enhance overall functioning. Lifestyle interventions can offer significant psychological benefits, such as enhanced self-confidence and a stronger sense of control over one’s life and future—particularly crucial for this population. Recognizing that the distress linked to gender dysphoria often disrupts self-care and other healthy behaviors, the this webinar will also focus on therapeutic strategies, drawing on motivational interviewing and acceptance and commitment therapy, that therapists can use to better equip patients in implementing and maintaining lifestyle practices that support their mental health.

Learning objectives:

• Understand the physiological mechanisms by which lifestyle factors like exercise, diet, and sleep impact brain health, mood, and overall functioning.
• Explore the developmental context of adolescence and young adulthood in relation to the adoption of healthy lifestyle habits.
• Learn how lifestyle interventions can alleviate distress and improve functioning in patients with gender dysphoria, especially in those with other psychiatric conditions.
• Understand the psychological benefits of lifestyle changes, including increased self-confidence and a stronger sense of control over one’s life.
• Apply therapeutic approaches, such as motivational interviewing and acceptance and commitment therapy, to empower patients in maintaining healthy lifestyle practices that support mental health.

Kristen Farrell-Turner, PhD is a licensed psychologist who completed her clinical psychology training at University of Miami in 2011. Throughout and since graduate school, much of her clinical and research experience has fallen in the broad scope of health psychology, always focused on the relationship between mental and physical health. Her work settings have included hospitals, outpatient clinics, interdisciplinary wellness centers, community mental health centers, and academia. She provides therapy to gender dysphoric adolescents and adults in her private practice.

Therapy First has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7505. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Therapy First is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. This webinar provide 1.5 hours of CE credits.