Misconceptions

Misconceptions is a groundbreaking podcast dedicated to inspiring and empowering women across the globe. We focus on motherhood, maternal mental health and women’s reproductive health often through the cultural lens of the Jewish woman. We dispel myths and challenge misconceptions with solid science, data and education.

Perfect for mothers, aspiring mothers, health professionals, or anyone interested in understanding the often complex and highly misunderstood world of women’s maternal and reproductive health.

Your host, Dvora Entin, is a licensed therapist, trained sex therapist and specialist in perinatal mental health. With an unwavering dedication to sharing evidence-based information, Dvora explores intriguing topics, guiding women through the intricate landscapes of mental health and reproductive struggles with resilience and empathy.

Let’s dispel these Misconceptions together!

Latest Episodes:

11. BONUS Therapist Edition: Caring for Those with Birth Trauma Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

Attention all perinatal therapists! It's unusual to have the opportunity to learn clinical insights from a therapist and survivor of a rare and catastrophic birth trauma. This bonus episode is a mini-training from an expert with lived experience of the most complex kind. Get ready to take notes, this one is a real gift.

Keep your ears open for future therapist edition bonus episodes to strengthen your clinical practice!

About Kayleigh Summers:

Kayleigh Summers is a licensed clinical social worker and private practice owner in Downingtown, PA. She specializes in perinatal trauma and has specific training in both perinatal mental health and EMDR. Kayleigh uses her training as a licensed therapist and her lived experience as an Amniotic Fluid Embolism survivor to treat and support families experiencing perinatal trauma. Kayleigh has also created thriving birth trauma support communities through Instagram and Tik Tok, as well as her podcast, where she provides connection, story sharing, and resources to support those experiencing birth and other trauma.

Guest links: Website: https://thebirthtraumamama.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebirthtrauma_mama/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebirthtrauma_mama

Dvora Entin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@misconceptionspodcast

10. Infertility and the Challenges of Mikva Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

When Infertility is experienced by a religious couple, the process of Mikvah (laws of family purity) can become incredibly complicated. Listen to Carly Chodosh, a licensed therapist and sex therapist and Mikvah Director explore the complexities of this personal and private space.

About Carly Chodosh

Carly Chodosh LCSW, CST, PMH-C is a psychotherapist and Mikvah Director in Lower Merion, PA. Currently, Carly is the only dual-certified sex therapist (through AASECT) and perinatal mental health therapist (PMH-C) in the Orthodox Jewish world. In addition to working with individuals and couples, Carly provides continuing education and training for new and developing Mikvaos around the world, as well as continuing education for Kallah Teachers, Yoetzot, and Rebbetzins around the intersection of halachic practice and mental health.

* * * *** CONNECT WITH ME:

Website: https://www.dvoraentin.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@misconceptionspodcast

9. Meet Shifra: I'm Not So Sure About Being a Mother Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

Shifra Rabinowitz's experience of motherhood may catch you by surprise. It may make you wonder if other women feel this way and question the assumptions around religious women and family building. With her unique perspective and experience, Shifra offers support to all women experiencing a different and sometimes surprising reality of motherhood.

About Shifra Rabinowitz:

Shifra Rabinowitz, MHC is committed to providing quality mental health care and support for individuals and families navigating the challenges of fertility and family. She has extensive experience in crisis response, managing a shelter for recovering addicts and trauma survivors and mentoring single mothers. She is a sleep consultant and passionate about empowering women throughout the lifespan. Shifra has a Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling, and has advanced training in Perinatal and Reproductive Mental Health. She is currently seeing clients through telehealth in NY, PA, and NJ.

Website: https://www.dvoraentin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@misconceptionspodcast

8. OCD and Perinatal Health. It's Not About a Clean House. Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

OCD and intrusive thoughts often show up in the experience of the postpartum parent. It can feel confusing and distressing to those experiencing uncomfortable and often scary thoughts about their baby and themselves. Join us for a fascinating conversation with an internationally renowned expert on OCD!

About Elyssa Kushner:

Elyssa Kushner is a graduate of Stern College and completed her masters and doctorate in clinical psychology at Lasalle University. She worked for several years at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine before joining the staff at the Corporal Michael Crescenz VA medical center as an assistant director of training. At the VA, Dr. Kushner has helped to develop a national training program for treating depression in groups as well as works as a national consultant for training programs in depression and suicide safety planning. In addition, she has a small private practice focusing on anxiety disorders, mostly in the Orthodox Jewish community.

Website: https://www.dvoraentin.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@misconceptionspodcast

7. Prenatal Genetics: Decoding Complex Genetics Jan 19, 2024

Show notes

Our chromosomes hold the secrets of who we are and who we become. When confronting genetic identity and challenges in a pregnancy, the terminology and experience can be confusing.

Listen as our expert, Erica Schindewolf, breaks down the meaning and the making of who we are!

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*** CONNECT WITH ME:

Website: https://www.dvoraentin.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@misconceptionspodcast

6. It's Not Supposed to Hurt: The Interplay Between Mental Health and Sexual Pain Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

Rivka Sidorsky is a master therapist and certified sex therapist. Join us for this fascinating conversation about women's sexual health, the interplay between the emotional and physical experience of intimacy and direct conversation around sexual pain.

About Rivka Sidorsky:

Rivka Sidorsky, LCSW-C, CST is an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, a licensed clinical social worker, a Board Certified Supervisor, a published author, a Harvard University research fellowship recipient, and an experienced lecturer. She is the owner and director of a group psychotherapy practice in Silver Spring, Maryland. She is a professional member of the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health, and the International Society for Sexual Medicine. She was personally mentored and was trained in sexual dysfunction and sex therapy from internationally renowned Dr. Laura Berman, Oprah's relationship and sex expert, at the Berman Center in Chicago. In addition to her private practice, she speaks widely on improving intimacy, female function and dysfunction, and on intimacy after cancer at professional conferences, universities, hospitals, and for community events. She lives in Silver Spring with her husband and their four children. For more information and for appointments, www.rivkasidorsky.com

Connect with Rivka Sidorsky:

https://www.facebook.com/RivkaSidorskyLLC

https://www.instagram.com/rivkasidorskysextherapy/

www.rivkasidorsky.com

5. Perinatal Moods and Community Support Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

Many of you may have met Birdie Gunyon Meyer as a facilitator of PSI's as a hilarious and bluntly honest seasoned professional nurse, counselor, lactation specialist and expert bra fitter! Today's conversation talks about the beginning of her work and the value of support and connection in the postpartum experience.

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*** CONNECT WITH ME:

Website: https://www.dvoraentin.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@misconceptionspodcast

4. Can You Really Take Medication While Pregnant? Myths and Medication Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

Medication and Motherhood can be one of the more confusing experiences of the reproductive years. Every parent seeks to create the safest experience for their unborn child while balancing the responsibility to their own physical and mental health.

Learn about the way that medication decisions are made and the most up-to-date research about meds and moods!

About Dr. Rachel Shmuts, DO

Dr. Rachel Shmuts, DO, is a reproductive and general adult psychiatrist practicing in Southern New Jersey. She graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey School of Osteopathic Medicine in 2009 and pursued her general adult psychiatry residency training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. She then completed a fellowship in Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, where she discovered her clinical passion in women's mental health. Dr. Shmuts is currently the Vice Chair of Education and Psychiatry Program Residency Director at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine and in the past was involved in many academic programs and curriculum reform for medical student education. She has been an invited speaker to myriad training programs as well as regional, national, and international conferences on topics in reproductive psychiatry. and truly enjoys the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of her work. In addition to her clinical and educational work, she served as the Treasurer for Postpartum Support International's New Jersey Chapter, and she is active on other boards, committees, and advocacy groups serving the mental health care needs of the community.

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*** CONNECT WITH ME:

Website: https://www.dvoraentin.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@misconceptionspodcast

3. Infertility, Men and Male Infertility - Know the Difference? Nov 24, 2023

Show notes

Ever wonder about men coping with infertility? Do they have the same challenges when dealing with the medical and emotional complexity of building their family? Listen to this vibrant conversation between Dvora and Bill Petok, an expert in men and infertility to learn more about how men are different and not so different when navigating the infertility experience.

About Bill Petok, PhD

Bill Petok earned his doctorate at the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1978. In full time independent practice in Baltimore, he is also a Clinical Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he teaches residents and externs about human sexuality.

Dr. Petok's other professional activities include the co-production of two films for training therapists, multiple journal articles, book chapters and regular presentations at state, national and international conferences on reproductive and sexual health.

Bill has served as a board member of the ARC/Prince George's County and is a past president of the Anne Arundel County Children's Council. He is a past Chair of the Mental Health Professional Group of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and currently serves on the steering committee of Seeds of Hope, a program of Jewish Community Services, which offers support and resources to Jewish individuals, couples, and families in Greater Baltimore experiencing infertility and family building challenges.

Connect with Bill Petok, PhD www.drpetok.com

Dvora Entin: Website: https://www.dvoraentin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin/

2. Uncharted Paths to Parenthood: Aliza's Surrogacy Journey Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

When Aliza and her husband hoped to create a family, they never imagined that route would include surrogacy. As an orthodox couple, they needed to navigate the halachic (religious law), emotional and financial experience of taking a route to parenthood that was mostly unpaved. From their experience, Aliza has built a community of women and couples exploring the possibilities of surrogacy in a supported and compassionate way.

Dvora Entin: Website: https://www.dvoraentin.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dvoraentin/

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