How To Feel Heard at the Doctor w/ Dr. Jonathon Fader

Have you ever left a doctor's appointment with an unanswered question? Clinical psychologist and performance coach Dr. Jonathan Fader joins Dr. Rob Raimondi and Dr. Marc Sclafani to explore trust, listening, and how to take an active role in your care. In this episode of Not Just a Dentist, we talk about why questioning an expert can feel difficult, how clinicians can make room for concerns, and the value of asking, “Can you help me understand that choice?” In this episode: What performance psychology can teach us about communication Why clinical excellence and listening belong together One open-ended question as a starting point for connection Pausing and resetting before entering the room Redirecting a conversation without dismissing a concern Why patients sometimes hesitate to disagree or ask questions Inviting patients to share priorities, fears, and discomfort Preparing for an appointment and communicating with the whole team Asking for an explanation of a treatment choice Bringing online research into a discussion with your clinician Listening before trying to fix everything Motivational interviewing and the “righting reflex” Giving a patient 60 seconds of full attention Understanding why a clinician would recommend an option Coaching, feedback, and improving communication The team's role in understanding a patient's concerns Acknowledging delays, mistakes, and uncertainty Dental anxiety and avoiding assumptions about how someone feels Clear instructions, follow-up, and questions at the end of a visit What it means to earn a patient's trust Schedule an appointment: https://app.nexhealth.com/appt/oneman... Learn more about One Manhattan Dental: https://onemanhattandental.com/ Listen to Not Just a Dentist: https://onemanhattandental.com/podcast/ Find Dr. Fader: https://jonathanfader.com/ https://strataperformance.com/ YouTube Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Not Just a Dentist 00:44 Meet Dr. Jonathan Fader 02:22 From performance psychology to patient care 04:14 Clinical excellence and showing up for patients 07:44 Listening is a skill 09:51 One small question can change a conversation 12:05 Resetting before entering the room 14:57 Redirecting a conversation with care 18:00 Seeing the appointment from both sides 22:09 Patients as active teammates 25:15 Why it can feel hard to question a doctor 28:09 Helping patients advocate for themselves 30:51 Preferences, preparation, and choosing a practice 37:13 Asking for clarity about your choices 38:11 Bringing online research to your clinician 39:47 What would make this appointment a success? 44:42 Motivational interviewing and the urge to fix 47:03 Giving patients 60 seconds of full attention 50:10 Asking why a treatment is recommended 54:42 Improving communication through feedback and coaching 1:00:06 Explaining the decision process and the role of authority 1:02:46 How the team helps patients feel understood 1:07:08 Building trust throughout the visit 1:08:31 Acknowledging delays and mistakes 1:10:10 Clear instructions and closing an appointment 1:13:06 Understanding dental anxiety 1:14:42 Scheduling time for the whole visit 1:17:29 Avoiding assumptions about patients 1:18:55 Making room for final questions 1:21:50 What's left unsaid? 1:23:43 Practical takeaways for patients 1:26:22 What it means to be someone's doctor 1:31:36 Where to find Dr. Fader and closing thoughts About the guest: Jonathan Fader, PhD, is a clinical and performance psychologist and co-founder of Union Square Practice. His work includes motivational interviewing and performance coaching, and he previously served as a sport psychologist for the New York Mets and New York Giants. #NotJustADentist #JonathanFader #PatientAdvocacy