Episode 44: Brad Lieberman

In this episode, Allison is joined by psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner Brad Lieberman for a grounded, stigma-free walk through the world of mental health medication. Brad breaks down how clinicians think about medication as one tool among many, why names like “antidepressant” and “antipsychotic” can be misleading, and how decisions about treatment are actually made. They explore everything from SSRIs to antipsychotics, genetic testing, performance anxiety tools like propranolol, and the rise of therapeutic technologies like TMS and psychedelics. Brad brings a clear-eyed, practical lens to understanding when medication is helpful, when it isn’t, and how to approach treatment without fear or self-diagnosis via Google.

Key Topics Covered

• Brad’s path from emergency response to psychiatric practice and why he focuses on high-stress, high-performance professions

• Medication as a tool: when it’s considered, when it isn’t, and why it’s rarely a lifelong commitment for most conditions

• Why names like antidepressant and antipsychotic misrepresent what these medications actually do

• Updated thinking on how SSRIs work, including neuroplasticity and the “reset” effect

• What antipsychotics really treat (hint: not just psychosis) and why they’re often used for mood stabilization

• How clinicians think through risk, benefit, impairment, and side effects before prescribing

• The limits of self-diagnosis and online “screeners”

• Genetic testing (GenoMind/GeneSight): what it tells you, what it doesn’t, and when it’s worth considering

• Common side effects, how they’re managed, and why they’re often temporary

• Propranolol for stage fright: what it is, why performers use it, and who should not

• Emerging treatments: TMS, psychedelics, and the current evidence

• Advice for artists struggling with mental health, including community-based therapeutic options

• Why a general practitioner isn’t a substitute for a trained mental health clinician

Guest Bio

Brad Lieberman is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner specializing in high-stress and high-performance populations. He integrates therapeutic modalities, medication management, and emerging technologies to help individuals build resilience and return to full functioning. Learn more at lcptherapy.com

Resources Mentioned

LCP Therapy: https://lcptherapy.com

Information on TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation)

GeneSight and GenoMind testing services (context provided without endorsement)

Keywords:

mental health medication, antidepressants explained, antipsychotics overview, performance anxiety treatment, propranolol for stage fright, psychiatric nurse practitioner, TMS therapy, psychedelic-assisted therapy

#mentalhealtheducation #medicationawareness #antidepressants101 #anxietytreatmentoptions #mentalhealthfacts #psychiatricnursepractitioner

#brainscience #neuroplasticity