Reaching Teens Through A Balance Of Fact And Funny With Matt Bellace PhD.

Reaching teens can be tough.

I found someone who has figured out how to do it…very well! Today on the show I sit down with Dr. Matt Bellace and learn how he uses comedy to present scientific evidence regarding substance abuse.

We discuss his background as a clinical psychologist and the convergence of his comedy career, all at the same time while pursuing his PhD. When he works with students, Matt focuses on helping teens find natural highs as an alternative to drug and alcohol abuse. Many high school students are struggling with issues of identity, self-esteem and feeling disconnected from the people around them which often leads them to make bad decisions and substance abuse. When asked what advice he would give teachers to help them better spot and assist students who are struggling mentally and emotionally, Matt suggested that teachers try their best to explain the process of dissapointment and negative emotions. These are emotions that we are experiencing. Now we get to decide what to do with them.

Dr. Matt Bellace has a PhD in clinical psychology with a subspecialty in clinical neuropsychology, the study of the brain and behavior. His clinical training included working with patients at the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Philadelphia), treating learning disorders in a pediatric neuropsychology private practice in suburban Philadelphia and performing cognitive behavioral therapy at Drexel University’s Student Counseling Center.  Matt completed his clinical internship working with traumatic brain and spinal cord injury patients at The Mount Sinai Medical in New York City.

As a stand-up comedian, Matt Bellace has performed at clubs and colleges across the country, including Caroline’s on Broadway and Gotham Comedy Club in New York City.  During the pandemic, his Zoom comedy shows brought laughter to quarantined audiences to audiences of all ages.  Matt’s credits include truTV’s hit show The World’s Dumbest, the 2005 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, National Public Radio and The New York Times.

Matt’s professional speaking career began in 1995 following the success of a student group he founded at Bucknell University.  Matt’s speaking work began in high schools and colleges, but quickly grew to national conferences, professional organizations and the military.  Matt had spoken in forty seven states and across Canada, annually appearing in front of over a hundred thousand people a year.  Although the pandemic halted live events, it has ushered in a new opportunity for reaching an even more diverse audience through virtual programs

To learn more about Matt and take a look at the books he’s written, head over to https://www.mattbellace.com/