Episode 23: Dr. Geri-Lynn Utter discusses making a documentary and how addiction impacted her life
In this episode, Geri-Lynn Utter, PsyD, shares her personal journey from growing up as a child of parents who struggled with addiction to becoming a clinical psychologist and author. She discusses her documentary, Utter Nonsense, her books, Mainlining Philly and Aftershock, and her podcast, Mind Over Mayhem. Dr. Utter offers insights on addiction, harm reduction, and her experiences in Philadelphia; addresses stigma around addiction; and offers advice for the next generation of mental health professionals and those who may have a loved one with addiction.
Dr. Utter is a licensed psychologist from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is PSYPACT certified, allowing her to conduct telepsychology across state boundaries. Dr. Utter specializes in working with individuals who struggle with co-occurring mental health concerns like substance use disorders in conjunction with severe depression and anxiety. She also works in medical affairs as a clinical scientist in the substance use disorder space.
In 2020, Dr. Utter released her first book, Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope, and Resisting Drug Addiction, which resulted from her desire to share her story and instill hope in others. The book is based on her life experiences and challenges as a result of her parents’ struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, and other mental health concerns like major depressive disorder, severe anxiety, and trauma.
Her documentary, cleverly titled Utter Nonsense, was released on Apple TV and Prime Video in August of 2023. It is an informative, touching, and personal look into the world of drug addiction. It focuses on individuals in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and follows her story and that of a few others to educate viewers about how addiction impacts everyone in its orbit.
Released in September of 2023, her second book, Aftershock: How Past Events Shake Up Your Life Today, focuses on the aftershock phenomenon, a repertoire of delayed mental health symptoms like irritability, emotional fatigue, and depression, all rooted in seemingly everyday events like parenting, changing careers, divorce, the death of a loved one, etc., that produce real but often unrecognized stress and trauma.
Dr. Utter currently lives in a Philadelphia suburb with her husband and two children. When she is not practicing psychology or writing, she can be found on the soccer field or basketball court cheering for her kiddos.
Links:
Mainlining Philly: Survival, Hope, and Resisting Drug Addiction
Aftershock: How Past Events Shake Up Your Life Today
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Treatment is available and recovery is possible. Visit ASAM’s Patient Resources page for more information.
The information shared in this podcast episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or ASAM management.