Hear Voices in the Family Mondays at noon, with a repeat broadcast Sunday at 6 a.m.

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Past programs - April 1999

4/5/99
Humor and Healing

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Most of us have been in a tense or even sad situation, and all the sudden, felt the incredible urge to laugh. It is almost as if laughter were a pressure valve, telling our body to let go of some of this tension. And indeed, medical experts have shown that humor and laughter can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even boost the immune system. Psychologists are also re-discovering the therapeutic qualities of humor. The American Association for Therapeutic Humor argues that humor can channel emotions toward a positive effect. Humor is not therapy, but it can facilitate healing and therapy. Dr. Dan Gottlieb will discuss how humor can be used as a therapeutic tool with Steven M. Sultanoff, he is a clinical Mirthologist and Psychologist, and the president of the American Association for Therapeutic Humor.

4/12/99
The Explosive Child

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Children who exhibit explosive temper outbursts, defiance, and verbal and physical aggression are often labeled as spoiled, stubborn or manipulative. Not so fast, says Dr. Ross Greene, child psychologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. Greene argues that if these children could do better, they would - the key is to help them work through their problems. In his book, "The Explosive Child", Greene describes new techniques to help affected children to develop the skills needed to be more flexible and handle frustration better.
In the second half of the show, we'll be joined by Dr. Peter Goldenthal, local psychologist and author of "Beyond Sibling Rivalry." Goldenthal looks at children's relationships with one another in the context of the family as a whole.

4/19/99
The Roots of Evil: Understanding Genocide and Ethnic Warfare

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In light of the crisis in Kosovo, Voices in the Family will explore why people turn to mass aggression and genocide. What goes on in the minds of people who participate in mass killings, or those who are standing by without trying to help the victims? Why do people feel that they have the right to dominate and subdue other people? We'll discuss the killings of ethnic Albanians, the genocide in Rwanda as well as African slave trade.

4/26/99
Finding a Therapist

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Few of us will be so lucky as Paul Vitti, the main character in the recent movie "Analyze This," and literally run into a great therapist in a car accident. For many people, it is a very big step to even decide that they want to start therapy, but once this step is made, the search for a therapist begins. In the age of managed care, our choices are considerably limited; some therapists refuse to deal with HMOs, and insurance companies will only pay for services provided by therapists on their list. What can and should we expect from a therapist, and where do we start looking? Voices in the Family will take an in-depth look at the search for a therapist, and the influence of managed care on this process.