As practitioners, we’re well-acquainted with the fight, flight, freeze response – that automatic response that evolved to protect us from external threats or danger. But what happens when the threat is internal? When the threat is painful emotions or distress? Our response can still be automatic, and for many clients it can often be to […]
How Effective are Compassion-Oriented Interventions in Clinical Settings? Here’s What the Research Shows…
As a practitioner, you know the critical role compassion plays in the work that we do. In fact, you were probably drawn to this profession out of a deep sense of compassion, that overpowering desire to relieve suffering. Now, putting compassion to work in the clinical setting goes far beyond just the desire to relieve […]
A Traumatized America: Weeping with Those Who Weep
In the aftermath of the recent tragedies in El Paso and Dayton, it’s nearly impossible to know what to do or say. These acts of gun violence bring up all sorts of painful emotions – grief, sadness, anger, and fear. As the daughter of a pastor, I was taught the importance of weeping with those […]
Working with Abandonment – A Common Therapeutic Mistake
When we’re working with a client’s fear of abandonment, it can add a unique challenge to the therapeutic relationship.You see, the client already has their rejection radar up. So we might become overly cautious to avoid doing anything that could feed into their fear. Problem is, this approach can sometimes be counterintuitive. Not only that, […]
What Goes on in a Perfectionist’s Brain
Many people see perfectionism as essential for success. After all, setting high standards and achieving big goals can feel very rewarding. Problem is, perfectionistic behavior can also come with a cost – it can get in the way of people’s relationships, and even lead to depression and anxiety. So, is there something in a person’s […]