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Behavioral
Health Today Podcast

Bringing A Mental Health Perspective to the Trending Topics of Today.

Behavioral Health Today Podcast

Behavioral Health Today Podcast

Our podcast is designed to share unique and relevant topics occurring within our world and communities, and bring them a behavioral and mental health perspective.

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Give Behavioral Health Today 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and help us grow our community!

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Love Behavioral Health Today?

Give Behavioral Health Today 5 stars on Apple Podcasts and help us grow our community!

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Sharlee R. Dixon

Our Host:
Sharlee R. Dixon, LMSW

Sharlee is the lead host of Behavioral Health Today, and a dedicated behavioral health professional with nearly two decades of experience as a social worker. Holding dual Master’s degrees in Social Work and Trauma-Informed Education, she brings a rich, multifaceted perspective to the conversations she leads—both on her show and in her everyday practice. Currently licensed as a Master’s Level Social Worker in South Carolina and actively pursuing clinical licensure in North Carolina, Sharlee has served communities across both states in roles spanning child protective services, public education, postsecondary education and now as a Renal Social Worker.

A passionate advocate for lifelong learning and holistic well-being, Sharlee has spoken at local and national social work conferences, leading professional development sessions on topics such as self-care, food deserts, and trauma-informed care. She has also provided post secondary instruction on the undergraduate level. Her work is grounded in a strengths-based, open-minded approach, fueled by curiosity and deep empathy for people from all walks of life.

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Recent Episodes

The Ethics of Growth: Helping Therapists Navigate the Google Ads Minefield with John Sanders – Episode 440

The Ethics of Growth: Helping Therapists Navigate the Google Ads Minefield with John Sanders – Episode 440

Stop relying on the dreaded service page. A generic list of specialties is not a marketing strategy; it is a deterrent. If you want a potential client to trust you with their deepest secrets, you must provide a page that actually speaks their language. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with John Sanders, the founder and CEO of RevKey. John leads a specialized digital advertising agency that helps mental health professionals grow their practices through ethical, data-driven Google Ads. Since launching RevKey as a solo operation in 2018, he has built a dedicated team of ten focused on delivering measurable results rather than marketing fluff. John is a trusted voice at leading industry conferences and podcasts, known for helping therapists navigate HIPAA sensitive environments and avoid the common traps of wasted ad spend. Today, we explore his unique approach to practice growth, covering everything from effective website strategies and essential metrics to the latest trends in the mental health space.

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Sticky Labels: The Rise of the Diagnostic Age with Dr. Alastair Santhouse– Episode 439

Sticky Labels: The Rise of the Diagnostic Age with Dr. Alastair Santhouse– Episode 439

A diagnostic label should be a flashlight that helps you find your way, not a cage that defines who you are allowed to be. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Dr. Alastair Santhouse, a consultant neuropsychiatrist at London’s Maudsley Hospital with nearly 30 years of clinical and leadership experience. From treating complex physical-mental health intersections to serving at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Dr. Santhouse has spent his career at the front lines of human distress. He is the author of “Head First” (2021) and his timely new work, “No More Normal: Mental Health in an Age of Over-Diagnosis” (2025). Together, we explore the modern "diagnostic creep" and the risks of over-medicalizing the natural spectrum of human experience. Dr. Santhouse offers a vital perspective on how psychiatry can pivot to better serve those with severe illness while restoring personal agency and a healthier societal understanding of what it means to be "normal."

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BHT Bytes – The Professional Cut: How the Big Beautiful Bill Redefines 'Worth' – Episode 438

BHT Bytes – The Professional Cut: How the Big Beautiful Bill Redefines 'Worth' – Episode 438

When "professional" is defined by a paycheck rather than a license, we trade our society's healers for a system reserved only for those who can afford the entry fee. In this episode of BHT Bytes, hosts Sharlee Dixon and Peter Fenger tackle the sobering "declassification" of behavioral health degrees under the 2026 "One Big Beautiful Bill." As the Department of Education narrows the definition of a "professional" career, social workers, counselors, and therapists find themselves sidelined into a lower funding tier, capped at $20,500 in federal loans while their peers in law and dentistry access $50,000. We explore the "funding canyon" created by the death of Grad PLUS loans, the shift toward a 30-year Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), and the dangerous message this sends to the care economy. By prioritizing high-salary ROI over essential service, is the government turning life-saving professions into "elite-only" careers? Join us as we discuss whether the technical definition of "professional" is colliding with the human reality of "essential," and what this fiscal shift means for the future of the mental health workforce and the diverse practitioners our communities desperately need.

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