A diagnostic label should be a flashlight that helps you find your way, not a cage that defines who you are allowed to be. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Alastair Santhouse, a consultant neuropsychiatrist at London’s Maudsley Hospital with nearly 30 years of clinical and leadership experience. From treating complex physical-mental health intersections to serving at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr. Santhouse has spent his career at the front lines of human distress. He is the author of “Head First” (2021) and his timely new work, “No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age of Over-Diagnosis” (2025). Together, we explore the modern "diagnostic creep" and the risks of over-medicalizing the natural spectrum of human experience. Dr. Santhouse offers a vital perspective on how psychiatry can pivot to better serve those with severe illness while restoring personal agency and a healthier societal understanding of what it means to be "normal."

For more information about “No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age of Over-Diagnosis” by Dr. Alastair Santhouse, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Normal-Mental-Over-Diagnosis-ebook/dp/B0DB14K81B

For more information about Dr. Alastair Santhouse, please visit: https://www.alastairsanthouse.com

For more information about Alastair’s other books, please visit: https://www.alastairsanthouse.com/author

When "professional" is defined by a paycheck rather than a license, we trade our society's healers for a system reserved only for those who can afford the entry fee. In this episode of BHT Bytes, hosts Sharlee Dixon and Peter Fenger tackle the sobering "declassification" of behavioral health degrees under the 2026 "One Big Beautiful Bill." As the Department of Education narrows the definition of a "professional" career, social workers, counselors, and therapists find themselves sidelined into a lower funding tier, capped at $20,500 in federal loans while their peers in law and dentistry access $50,000. We explore the "funding canyon" created by the death of Grad PLUS loans, the shift toward a 30-year Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), and the dangerous message this sends to the care economy. By prioritizing high-salary ROI over essential service, is the government turning life-saving professions into "elite-only" careers? Join us as we discuss whether the technical definition of "professional" is colliding with the human reality of "essential," and what this fiscal shift means for the future of the mental health workforce and the diverse practitioners our communities desperately need.

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Healing is an evolution rather than a graduation. While recovery is often treated as a destination, true healing is the daily process of becoming better than yesterday and gaining the tools to navigate the storm when it returns. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Chris Yadon and Ana Megrelishvili. Chris is the Managing Director of Saprea, a nonprofit devoted to liberating individuals and society from child sexual abuse through healing and prevention. As the organization's first employee in 2015, Chris has led Saprea’s growth into a global leader in survivor support. He brings both strategic executive leadership and a deep personal commitment to this critical mission. Joining him is Ana Megrelishvili, a survivor, advocate, and community leader from Atlanta. Ana co-chairs the annual Saprea Gala, where she uses her voice and lived experience to bring visibility to the realities of abuse while inspiring hope for fellow survivors. Together, Chris and Ana share the heart of Saprea’s mission and the profound impact their healing programs have on the community. This conversation explores how Saprea supports adult survivors through connection and prevention efforts, featuring Ana’s firsthand journey of resilience and transformation.

For more information about Saprea, please visit: https://saprea.org

For prevention resources for parents and clinicians, please visit: https://saprea.org/prevent/

To learn more about volunteering opportunities, please visit: https://saprea.org/volunteer/

Consider a donation to Saprea at: https://support.saprea.org/give/230670/#!/donation/checkout

For more information about partnerships, please visit: https://saprea.org/partnerships/

Connect with Chris Yadon on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-yadon-mpa-3533937/

Connect with Chris Yadon on Substack: https://chrisyadon.substack.com