Ron Parks, MD, Author at Integrative Psychiatry Online, Ron Parks, MD

Collage of pictures with the theme of physical, mental, and spiritual challenges during crisis and distressing times.

Keeping Health and Balance in Difficult Times

Written by Ron Parks, MD on March 11, 2025. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Anxiety & Panic, Depression, Happiness, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Mood, Non-duality, Nutrition, Personal Growth, Recovery, Relationships, Spirituality & Health. Leave a Comment

An Interview with the astonishing former French Buddhist Monk, teacher, and creator of Mental Health Revolution on Substack. For full audio and video podcast click on link below: https://www.inmindwise.com/p/keeping-health-and-balance-in-difficult

Welcome to Mind Wise, a video podcast and newsletter which presents holistic mental health, healthcare, and wellness perspectives and information.

I am your host, Ron Parks, MD, writer, teacher, and consultant. The following is a transcript of a video podcast interview with Promise of Substack’s Mental Health Revolution: mentalhealthrevolution.org. An astonishing former Buddhist Monk, a teacher, and according to himself, a meditation nerd, a lifestyle medicine advocate, and a misunderstood comedy genius. He has thoroughly studied ancient wisdom, scientific research, psychology, and personal experiments into simple wellness practices for busy people.

He is also a student of positive self-help psychology, and he talks about the programs he has developed, as well as some about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I want to have him introduce himself, say a bit about his journey, and say where he is now. He developed an outstanding, helpful program that I want him to discuss: the Daily Wellness Empowerment Program, DWEP, and CSM. So, go ahead, Promise.

Collage of pictures with the theme of neurodiversity, adjusted and challenged children and adults with ADHD or ASD and finding acceptance and peacefulness with nature,

ADHD Reality—The focus and distraction dilemma

Written by Ron Parks, MD on January 3, 2025. Posted in ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Getting Things Done, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, neuroscience, Unique Talent Attributes. Leave a Comment

Practical choices for surviving and thriving

A call about ADHD and life difficulties

A distressed family member and colleague recently called me. They complained they were very nervous and worried as they were failing and falling behind in their part-time university studies and felt hopeless about ever completing their coursework for their degree. Their full-time jobs and careers also seemed at risk from lack of focus and concentration, interfering with their productivity and completing assigned tasks and vital projects. A threatening and contentious work supervisor was applying pressure to get more done. There was a real risk of getting fired. A recently valued relationship was also on “the rocks” and near the breaking point. The unfortunate load of adverse challenges seemed to recur frequently, as has often been a regrettable plight. There was a track record of difficulty with social relationships and problems succeeding in challenging academic and work-related situations.

Hurricane Trauma Comes to Idyllic Asheville, NC

Written by Ron Parks, MD on December 7, 2024. Posted in Grief and Loss, Mental Health, Public Health Issue, Recovery, Trauma.

Riverknoll community seeks help after Helene’s devastation.

Dec 06, 2024

_{Hurricane Trauma in Asheville; Survival, Recovery, and Renewal: RRP design with Canva and stock photos—Image of Phoenix Bird rising from the ashes: generated with Copilot AI}

Asheville, Riverknoll, and Hurricane Helene

Asheville was, for many, a haven in the picturesque mountains away from the urban turmoil, catastrophic weather, and social events. Cataclysmic events only seemed to plague other areas. It was one of the top places to come for a vacation or buy a home at its inflated price. Climate change and social turmoil avoided the pristine, Idyllic Western North Carolina college town and mountainous resort-like area. The city and region were never the center of the news media, reporting devastating events—it was always in other places.

Collage of pictures with theme of getting influenced or deceived by others, finding collaborators or help you can trust, and learning to access and tune in your innate valuable inner resources.

Collaboration: friend or foe in making critical choices?

Written by Ron Parks, MD on July 30, 2024. Posted in Frauds, Scams, Criminality, Getting Things Done, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Neurodiversity, Personal Growth, Relationships, Spirituality & Health, successful decision making and collaboration.

What is the cure for indecisiveness in personal, business, or political matters?

Mentoring or biased advice?

Recently, in a conversation with my adult son, I wanted to better understand the benefits versus the risks of collaboration with others during times of challenge and indecision. My son was in throngs of indecision about whether to return to graduate school.

A collage of pictures showing the importance of holistic health programs, optimal nutrition, and the wise choice of supplements when they are beneficial and needed.

Is there value in taking nutrition supplements?

Written by Ron Parks, MD on April 2, 2024. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Nutrition.

Is there a role for dietary supplementation in a holistic health and wellness program?

In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing our health and well-being is vital. The pros and cons of taking nutritional supplements are often prominent topics for the health-conscious and concerned. The arising issues are worth exploring, especially with all the confusing information. Supplement use is for a variety of reasons or needs. Examples of reasons or rationales for use might be for the seeking of health assurance, as an aid in recovery from illness, protection from unknown disease risk, gaining the edge in physical performance, or the search perhaps for invisibility or to counter our fears of our human vulnerability to health challenges.

Collage of pictures and art on theme of loss, grief, art therapy, and journey to healing and the spirit.

Finding the Art of Life and the Spirit – video podcast

Written by Ron Parks, MD on February 29, 2024. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Creativity, Happiness, holistic mental healthcare, Integrative Therapies, Mental Health, Mood, Personal Growth, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

An interview with the accomplished and talented Evie Lindemann, author, teacher, and art therapist.

View or listen to a fantastic interview with the illustrious Evie Lindemann, LMFT, ATR-BC, author, writer, and accomplished art therapist. Evie is an art therapist and a marriage and family therapist licensed in North Carolina, Connecticut, and California, specializing in training for mental health professionals and community groups. She’s interactive, a Jungian-oriented trainer, and a holistic therapist. She provides support and practical feedback to help individuals effectively address life challenges. Evie presents a life story to inspire all to meet life’s challenges and surmount significant obstacles to find meaning, purpose, love, and happiness, as well as an exceptional career that has benefited many. Edie also discusses her soon-to-be-published book and her recent book about grief and loss, including some of her most recent published work.

A collage of pictures representing the theme of Wise choosing & collaborating to ensure health & longevity and all being in balance.

An “Ensurance Plan” for healthy aging, productivity, and vitality.

Written by Ron Parks, MD on February 22, 2024. Posted in Depression, Disability, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, holistic mental healthcare, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Integrative Therapies, Meditation/Mindfulness, Mental Health, Mood, Personal Growth, Spirituality & Health.

How can a practical and sensible plan be structured to maintain or enhance physical and mental health, longevity, and well-being?

There are reasonable choices for promoting health and longevity and preventing future disease and disability.

Collage of pictures in remembrance of Holocaust and lessons of inclusion, acceptance and collaboration, to not to repeat the tragedy of the past.

Commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2024—A Chilling Reminder

Written by Ron Parks, MD on January 29, 2024. Posted in Grief and Loss, Hate Crimes, Holistic Approaches to Prevention and Recovery, Mental Health, PTSD, Public Health Issue, Social Media, Spirituality & Health, Trauma.

The stark recall of the experience of mass torture and slaughter of a multitude of innocent citizens is a lesson of grave concern today.

Collage of picture of New Year, lightening the candles, cycle of light to darkness, the celebration, the grief, loss, the spiritual connection, enlightenment.

New Year’s—the hope, meaning, and the promise

Written by Ron Parks, MD on January 4, 2024. Posted in Commentary on Health and Well-being, Depression, Grief and Loss, Happiness, Holistic Views on Mental Health Issues, Meditation/Mindfulness, neuroscience, Non-duality, Personal Growth, Spirituality & Health.

The holidays are a time for reflection and an opportunity to rebalance self-needs, relationships, spirituality, and wisdom.

Collage of picture on theme of division, hatred, antisemitism, spirituality, faith, enlightenment, and peaceful coexistence.

Tevye and the Pogrom

Written by Ron Parks, MD on December 25, 2023. Posted in Uncategorized.

A reflection on a classic movie, the history, today’s rise in hate, division, extremism, and antisemitism; and a perspective from psychology and neuroscience about Tevye’s and society’s challenges

“Tevye” is a 1939 American Yiddish film based on Tevye the Dairyman from Sholem Aleichem’s famous stories and his struggles to survive the antisemitism and the pogroms of Western Ukraine. The movie was a forerunner of the popular musical and the movie “Fiddler on the Roof.”¹

Author: Ron Parks, MD