E87: Fixing Mental Health Care: A Conversation with Dr. Robert C. Smith on Training, Integration, and Leadership
The Christina Crowe Podcast: Making the invisible VISIBLEShow Notes
The cracks in our healthcare systems are more visible than ever—but how did we get here, and more importantly, how do we fix them? Today, your hosts, psychotherapists Christina Crowe and Katie Richardson, sit down with Dr. Robert C. Smith to tackle the big questions shaping the future of mental health care.
Together, we explore: How mental health training differs between the U.S. and Canada—what’s working and what’s not, Evidence-based strategies for integrating mental health care into primary care, What needs to change in medical education to prepare future doctors for real-world mental health challenges, The role of physician leadership in creating psychologically safe healthcare environments.
From systemic reform to practical solutions, this conversation sheds light on the urgent need for change—and what we can do about it.
🎧 Tune in now for an insightful, solutions-driven discussion on the future of mental health care!
Resources for After the Show:
Read Dr. Smith's book, Has Medicine Lost Its Mind?available March 4th. US friends, Take Action! Dr. Smith's Template Letter.
Smith's Patient Centered Interviewing: An Evidence-Based Method, Fourth Edition
Ontario therapists: Get Involved This Election!
Canada wide: ADHD Advocacy - what you can do to help. Burnout in healthcare: what you can do to protect yourself, by Christina Crowe, RP
About our Guest: Dr. Robert C. Smith is a nationally recognized leader in evidence-based mental health care and doctor-patient communication. A University Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry at Michigan State University, Dr. Smith developed the first patient-centered method to train medical professionals to build strong partnerships with their patients. Dr. Smith’s expertise and dedication to reforming mental health care make Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? essential reading for policymakers, health care professionals, and anyone concerned about the future of mental health in America. Find Dr. Smith: Website | X | LinkedIn
Find Katie (CRPO #11244):Website | Instagram Find Christina (CRPO #3908): Website | Find a Therapist | Get Assessed by an NP in Ontario | Instagram | Podcast page.
A gentle reminder that this is not therapy, and Christina nor Katie are your therapist. If you need more one on one support or treatment, please check out the links posted above or our Resources page on our website.
LISTEN OR SUBSCRIBE for free in your favourite podcast app: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | iHeart Radio | AmazonMusic | Castbox | RSS
More from The Christina Crowe Podcast: Making the invisible VISIBLE
Certified Financial Planner Julia Chung joins host and psychotherapist Christina Crowe, to break down why traditional budgeting advice fails ADHD brains and what actually works. They explore systems that reduce overwhelm, the emotional beliefs that shape money decisions, and how to build financial stability without shame. A clear, grounded conversation for anyone who wants money to feel less chaotic and more aligned with real life.
When ADHD goes undiagnosed, the line between coping and addiction can blur fast. In this candid conversation, Christina and her guest, psychotherapist Kathleen Killen, both therapists, explore how late ADHD diagnosis can reshape the story of substance use, recovery, and self-understanding. Together, they unpack the grief of missed years, the fear of taking stimulants in sobriety, and the ongoing work of emotional regulation and healing.
Compassion fatigue and prolonged isolation have left us caring alone. Join Psychotherapist Christina Crowe for a brief exploration of how to rebuild collaboration and co-regulation in our post-isolation culture.
In this Hot Take, psychotherapist and group practice owner Christina Crowe, RP, shares an unfiltered look at why running a group practice is not just “more therapy” but an entirely new career path in entrepreneurship and leadership. Drawing from a decade of experience building a successful Ontario group practice, Christina breaks down the training gaps, financial strains, leadership struggles, and blind spots that many clinicians face when they dive into business ownership without preparation. If you’re a therapist considering starting a group, this episode offers both a reality check and encouragement. It’s not about failure; it’s about understanding the truth of what you’re signing up for and why mentorship, systems, and self-awareness are non-negotiable for long-term success.
How do we make an impact without falling into the trap of co-opting ideas or voices that aren’t our own? In this short hot-take episode, Christina Crowe, RP, reflects on the importance of authenticity, attribution, and integrity in the mental health field and beyond. Drawing on years of professional and lived experience, she challenges us to slow down, acknowledge those who came before us, and recognize the difference between being inspired and taking credit. This candid reflection unpacks why crediting sources matters, how to avoid performative advocacy, and why real impact depends on trust, reciprocity, and community. What You’ll Take Away: Why giving credit is essential for authenticity and trust.