Dr. Gabor Mate is one of the important innovators in the realm of psychotherapy and addictions treatment. While not officially aligned with the interpersonal neurobiology group around Dr. Dan Seigel and Dr. Allan Schore (there is a book series from Norton centered on this topic), he is nonetheless squarely within this tradition in his understanding of the impact of early childhood adversity (abuse, neglect, etc.) on those who experience addiction and other forms of dysfunctional adaptive strategies.

Dr. Mate has also innovated the use of traditional psychoactive plants in the treatment of addiction, including ayahuasca (see this post from Beams and Struts) and ibogaine (see Ibogaine: Rite of Passage for a 50 minute documentary on this substance).

He is author of four books, including When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress (2004) and In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction (2009).

I always enjoy listening to him being interviewed - hopefully you will too.

Shrink Rap Radio #359 – Addiction In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts with Gabor Mate

Posted on July 11, 2013

A psychology podcast by David Van Nuys, Ph.D.

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Gabor Maté M.D. is a physician and bestselling author whose books have been published in nearly twenty languages worldwide. Dr. Maté is highly sought after for his expertise on a range of topics, from addiction and attention deficit disorder (ADD) to mind-body wellness, adolescent mental health, and parenting. A renowned thinker and public speaker, he addresses audiences all over North America, including professional and academic groups like nurses’ organizations, psychiatry departments, and corporate conventions, as well as presentations and seminars for local community groups and the general public. As a writer and speaker, he is widely known for the power, insight, clarity, candor, compassion, humor, and warmth of his presentations.

Common to all of Dr. Maté’s work is a focus on understanding the broader context in which human disease and disorders arise, from cancer to autoimmune conditions like MS, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, or fibromyalgia; childhood behavioral disorders like ADD, oppositionality, or bullying; or addiction, from substance abuse to obsessive gambling, shopping, or even workaholism. 

Rather than offering facile, quick-fix solutions to these complex issues, Dr. Maté weaves together scientific research, case histories, and his own insights and experience to present a broad perspective that enlightens and empowers people to promote their own healing and that of those around them. His approach is holistic and kaleidoscopic – linking everything from neurophysiology, immunology, and developmental psychology to economic and social policy – and even touches on the spiritual dimensions of disease and healing.

His books, all Canadian best-sellers, include:

• Scattered Minds: A New Look at the Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder (1999)
• When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress (2004)
• Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers (2005), co-written with Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D 
• In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction (2009). Dr. Maté was recipient of the 2009 Hubert Evans Prize for Literary Non-Fiction.

copyright 2013: David Van Nuys, Ph.D.