Speaking and Training with Dr. Andrea Dinardo

Contact Form: Click HereArticles & Speeches: Click Here https://youtu.be/y3bWmoKule8?feature=shared https://youtu.be/6zlJDM58-a0?feature=shared Background and Overview: Dr. Andrea Dinardo is a positive psychology expert, keynote speaker, and leadership trainer who helps people thrive under pressure, build resilience, and cultivate mental health daily. She is passionate about applying positive psychology to facilitate personal growth and transformational change in individuals... Continue Reading →

The Sweet Spot

https://youtu.be/fd9TrYI75o0?si=0gaSNLNAWVqWOAE8 The sweet spot is the moment in life when you realize you have arrived and the most interesting part is that you havenโ€™t gone anywhere. Instead, you finally come home to the present moment. The here and now. The sweet spot. Nowhere else to be. But here and now. Right Here. Right Now. The... Continue Reading →

Growth Mindset in Challenging Times

https://youtu.be/ldOlNJ0ds0c The idea we have for our life rarely matches up with the life we end up with. Plan A is fantasy. Plan B is reality. Growth is not a straight line, which is often a blessing in disguise, yet something we seldom realize in the thick of life. How do we move on from... Continue Reading →

Emotional CPR: Catch Pause Repair

I would like to share a sustainable model of mental and emotional health called Emotional CPR: Catch Pause Repair - presented below in video and written format. Video Format https://youtu.be/KVfeKg78fEY https://youtu.be/8VvwITnvrhs https://youtu.be/DbBwCkQ9sKI?si=SRgBxAe8uX4boR0n Written Format STEP 1 CATCH What Triggers You? Catch yourself before a stress response escalates by becoming more aware of what provokes you. Take Inventory Make... Continue Reading →

Positive Psychology in Education โ€ข Mental Health โ€ข School Board Speech

https://youtu.be/I08EUaQ8g9Y I had the opportunity to give a psychology speech on cultivating mental health daily at the Greater Essex County District School Board in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Audience Members The audience was comprised of education support staff and front line workers, including Education Assistants, Child and Youth Care Workers, Developmental Services Workers, Teachers, Social Workers,... Continue Reading →

WHAT’S IN MY CONTROL?

Locus of Control is a key ingredient in resilience. Assessing what is within your control and sphere of influence is crucial. Decide what to let go of and what to surrender. This exercise should be practiced daily for optimal mental health and energy. https://youtu.be/W7dz0FvnkxY?si=WhAFJHR53EIV9q_p PSYCHOLOGY TEST Locus of Control TestDownload PSYCHOLOGY REFLECTION Whatโ€™s within your... Continue Reading →

What advice would you give your younger self?

ASK DR. D โ€ฆ ANYTHING! At a recent leadership conference, student leaders from St. Clair College's Student Representative Council SRC had the opportunity to ask questions live during the final portion of the training event. Questions & Reflections The student leaders raised the reflection bar high during this discussion period. One Question Stood Out The... Continue Reading →

Catch Pause Repair (CPR): Healthy Workplace Awards Keynote Speech

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VvwITnvrhs Healthy Workplace Awards This week I did a keynote speech at the Healthy Workplace Awards Ceremony. Given all we are collectively going through, I thought the notes and video from the keynote would be helpful to everyone. News Release: CTV News Especially as we wrap up this year. A year where we collectively experienced... Continue Reading →

New Virtual Experiences

Staying Hopeful I wanted to share how I have been keeping hope alive in my heart and soul during 2020. Specifically, by expanding my reach with new virtual experiences. Beginning in the spring with my first "live" recorded internet event with Sam Piercell, a fitness entrepreneur, from Windsor, Ontario. 1. F45 Live Event: Community Resilience... Continue Reading →

IS THIS NORMAL? Temporary Emotions vs Mental Illness

The most common question people ask when they discover I'm a retired psychologist is - "Is This Normal?" https://youtu.be/7DigCXbQKnE?si=7283ifRMjUT3fgm8 This question is a significant motivator for creating this psychology blog in the first place. Because too often people suffer because of lack of understanding versus a diagnosable medical condition. differential diagnosis  ยท  the process of... Continue Reading →

Focus on what’s within your control in life & leadership.

When things go wrong, what do you focus on first? The world outside you or the world within you? The following is a video and activity overview from Part 2 of the 2020 SRC Leadership Development Workshop. Click Here for Part 1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVEjYGl9c0k Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control... Continue Reading →

Strengths-Based Leadership Training and Development

โ€œThe strength of any organization is a direct result of the strength of its leaders.โ€ โ€” John C. Maxwell  The best part is that strengths-based leadership skills can be learned, developed, mentored, and coached. https://youtu.be/pjxCsK2qudw?si=xHsV_IBAKQq47am2 Student Leaders Training and Development Strengths- based leadership is the cornerstone of my work with Ontario student leaders. Including St.... Continue Reading →

Posttraumatic Growth: Can Adversity Be Good for You?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlkaArLVg28 Psychology Keynote In this video you will hear the remarkable stories of teachers, social workers, and principals who suffered greatly through illness, injuries, and difficult pregnancies. Eventually rising up with time and support to greater heights in their current lives. Personal Experience In this video I share examples of how my parents coped with dark times... Continue Reading →

Have you experienced stage fright or performance anxiety?

PUBLIC SPEAKING TIP How to Turn Fear into Excitement Neuroscience Solutions & Insights Did you know that fear and excitement share the same set of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine. Opposite emotions. Identical neurotransmitters. Same neural activity. Different Cognitive Appraisal. And the best way to shift from performance anxiety to excitement is to say... Continue Reading →

PUBLIC SPEAKING TIP Practice the Pause

Stop saying โ€œUm,โ€ or โ€œAh,โ€ during speeches with this one simple tip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpr9HR-Ur2I&feature=youtu.be The next time you have a speech to give, try taking a pause between thoughts. In doing so, you allow your message to sink in. Giving yourself and the audience a much needed break. Allowing time for everyone to digest the information.... Continue Reading →

5 Ways to Focus Better

Why Can't I Remember Anything? One of the most frequent questions I was asked as a practicing psychologist and more recently as a psychology professor is why can't I remember anything. The problem is most likely a focusing issue โ€” not a memory issue. An important distinction between memory and attention that I share in... Continue Reading →

How does a psychologist make a clinical diagnosis?

Psychology in Your Life The intention for this post is to introduce you to one aspect of the diagnostic process โ€” specifically: differential diagnosis. And ultimately to help you understand that psychological assessmentย is a complex, worthwhile process. Whatโ€™s normal ๐Ÿ†šย clinical? To answer that question, I would like to invite you into my clinical psychology class.ย ... Continue Reading →

Optimism Bootcamp for Health Empowerment

Nathalie Begin author of the Gutsy Feeling Blog invited me to give a positive psychology workshop called Optimism Bootcamp at a Symposium for Crohnโ€™s & Colitis Canada. The audience was filled a very special group of people. Individuals that have been battling the chronic condition of Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) their whole lives. Optimism and Health... Continue Reading →

Thriving Teams. Thriving Leaders.

LESSONS LEARNED In this post, I share the lessons learned at a thriving teams thriving leaders board retreat. It was a true team effort!   With the team-building and leadership exercises equally led by the student leaders and myself. Please join in and explore the reflection questions, interactive activities, and workshop videos with the teams... Continue Reading →

The Shadow Effect

Psychology Class The Shadow Effect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aECfb8QNp0 One of the things I love to do is share whatโ€™s happening on campus in my psychology class. Todayโ€™s Topic: The Shadow Effect Watch this short video and consider the following questions: What is your shadow?How does it serve you?Where does it come from?How do I bring it into... Continue Reading →

The power of beliefs.

Belief plays a pivotal role in success. Believing that you have what it takes. Believing that you can try again. Believing in something greater than yourself. Believing you are never alone. Believing your power is greater than your pain. Believing that things are going to get easier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKimTCawJls In this 5 minute training video, I... Continue Reading →

Thriving Under Pressure Leadership Training

Fitness is more than physical I was invited to do a Leadership Training and Development Workshop at a local kickboxing club. https://youtu.be/4468XR7wyyI The ultimate stress release This is where I go to cool my jets and find my joy. So, I was more than excited to take the leadership team's mental fitness up to the next... Continue Reading →

Reading People: Lesson #2 Social Awareness

Reading People Begins with Awareness In reading people lesson #1 I discussed the importance of self awareness before attempting  to understand and read others behaviour. โ€œSelf-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom.โ€  Reading People: Lesson #2 Adding to the first lesson is an excerpt from my Pitch with Passion  presentation with student and community entrepreneurs at the EPIC Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre.... Continue Reading →

Biology of Stress

Resilience Training & Education During my psychology speech at the โ€œYou Can Do College Eventโ€ I share the biological origins of stress and anxiety with 600 grade 10 high school students during a 2 day event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0tKO_mV7uY&t=25s Stress & Anxiety Management I also demonstrate simple strategies for coping with stressful, anxiety-provoking situations. Including: deep breathing... Continue Reading →

Motivation Videos and Techniques

In these videos, I share psychology techniques for transforming challenges into opportunities. Including clapping when students arrive to class! SMALL GESTURES ENERGIZE Staying Motivated During Challenging TimesPsychology Article in the Drive Magazine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7TFtJHASn8&feature=emb_title https://youtu.be/URKcpc0rEVQ The secret of endurance is to remember that your pain is temporary but your reward will be eternal. Rick Warren https://youtu.be/fNMy8l0rXRs https://youtu.be/IFjQUwtnqk0... Continue Reading →

From digital distraction to student connection.

How do teachers compete with smartphones? They don't. Resistance is futile. Competing with a machine is a downhill battle. Instead, teachers must focus on what they do best - connecting with students. ย Ratherย thanย lamenting about students being glued to their smartphone, teachers should consider why students do it in the first place.ย You can't solve a problem... Continue Reading →

Teaching Stress Resilience at School

We all have stress. Itโ€™s a universal human experience. The key is to not let stress become our identity. Instead, with an open mindset and the right set of resilience skills we have the opportunity to reach a whole new level of purpose and well-being. How can educators help foster stress resilience in their students? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUh9qqA0x3Y&t=410s Stress... Continue Reading →

You were born to thrive!

Do not fear challenge or adversity. Run towards it.ย Not away from it. Use it consciously.ย As a stepping stone. To ascend.ย To soar. To propel yourself forward. To begin again.  For strength is ultimately built from challenge, from difficulty, from overcoming. You were born to thrive! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ento8DliEOs

Positive psychology is my passion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjPZM2eDDhE  Positive Psychology is My Passion I love everything about positive psychology. The research, the content, the discoveries, the real-life stories, and most importantly, the promise of a better life. The opportunity to write psychology textbooks for McGraw-Hill Ryerson and share my enthusiasm for psychology is a childhood dream come true! What's Your Passion? What Moves You? Motivates You?... Continue Reading →

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