EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Michael Tkach about how trauma is like a flashbulb of information in the mind and how it’s processed. We discuss the holes within the mental health system, why they’re there, and the best ways to navigate it to get help. I also personally thank him for changing my life from the first time we chatted. You’re going to like this one!

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Affinity Empowering, Inc., a leading provider of the most sophisticated and secure occupational, behavioral, and direct-to-consumer health services, today announced that it has enrolled its 100^th organization into Operation Expanded Testing (OET), a federal initiative to provide fully funded COVID-19 surveillance testing programs available for community organizations including K-12 schools, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), summer school programs, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, select, non-profit community centers, and more. OET was created in agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in coordination with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), and Affinity Empowering is coordinating OET program implementation in 26 states and U.S. territories on behalf of Clinical Enterprise, Inc., a Eurofins company.

EPISODE SUMMARY

We are excited to have Dr. Michael Tkach on the show today. Michael utilizes a psychodynamic approach to therapy that places value on exploring the ways our symptoms and experiences can be understood and addressed to help better understand ourselves on our journey towards health, wellness, and self-empowerment. Dr. Tkach engages in mindful discussions to help identify patterns, emotions, and thoughts that may lead to a better self-understanding and greater self-compassion. It’s always great to learn from other leaders in the field of mental health and wellness. Welcome Michael, thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to join us on today’s 2Principals show.

EPISODE SUMMARY

We cannot overstate the impact this pandemic has had on our health care providers. When you think about all the stress and pressures these frontliners are going through day in and day out, you can see how a lot of aspects are playing in that are leading to clinical burnout and substance abuse. Yet, we need to recognize that this is just a part of a larger system that’s going on in the individual.

Clinical psychologist and Chief Behavioral Health Officer for the technology-based solutions provider Affinity Empowering, Dr. Michael Tkach, talks about how addiction should be viewed from a larger scope instead of with a reductionistic approach.

By Michael Tkach, PsyD, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Behavioral Health Officer, Affinity Empowering

Everyone experienced a variety of emotional reactions at the onset of the pandemic. Disbelief. Fear. Anxiety. The pandemic dramatically changed life as we knew it, as masks became commonplace, work shifted to the living room, and social interactions were but a thing of the past. These restrictions were implemented to protect people, and, as a consequence, completely changed how people engaged in their professional lives.