Self-Affirmation as a Clinical Tool for Both Practitioner and Patient

Natural Medicine Journal Podcast

Many healthcare professionals may not be aware that there is some compelling research showing that self-affirmations can help enhance problem-solving, stress management, and even overall wellness. In this interview, host Karolyn Gazella talks with Janine Dutcher, PhD, who specializes in this type of research and directs the Health & Human Performance Lab at Carnegie Mellon University. Find out how you can not only use self-affirmations for your own wellness but your patients’ health as well. About the Expert Janine Dutcher, PhD, is a senior research scientist (special faculty) in psychology and the lab director for the Health & Human Performance Lab at Carnegie Mellon University. She received her bachelor of science degree in psychology from Carnegie Mellon University and her PhD in psychology from UCLA. Her research seeks to understand how positive interventions and experiences (eg, self-affirmation, mindfulness meditation, social support) may lead to reductions in threat and stress responding. She uses multiple methods, including neuroimaging and psychoneuroimmunology, to explore how these processes affect physical health and well-being, with the ultimate goal of finding ways to help individuals build resilience. Theme music: “Simple and Relaxing Minimal Ambient" by Coma-Media and “Inspirational Background” by AudioCoffee via pixabay.com.