As practitioners, we know how crucial it is to create a safe space when working with clients who have experienced trauma. But this can often be challenging . . . and nuanced. That’s because for many trauma patients, sometimes even a friendly face or a gesture of compassion can feel unsafe, even threatening. So what […]
Polyvagal Theory & Perfectionism – A Brief Case Study
In so much of modern society, perfectionism is something people often regard as necessary for success. But even though it can sometimes give us a healthy competitive edge, or push us to try and achieve impossible-sounding goals . . . . . . perfectionism often comes with a cost. You see, for many clients, their […]
Three Ways to Resource Clients When Anxiety Is Triggered
When a client struggles with emotional triggers, finding ways to help them disrupt that automatic cycle of reactivity can be difficult. But according to Rick Hanson, PhD, there are three key practices that can help a client regain a sense of safety and calm – especially when anxiety gets triggered. He takes us through them […]
One Childhood Lesson That Sticks with Me
From a young age, I was taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive . . . . . . and over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom behind those simple words. You see, one of the founding principles of NICABM is to give back and do what we can […]
One Way to Start Shifting Clients Out of a Blame Mindset
Clients who tend to blame other people for their problems can be uniquely challenging to work with. And sometimes, that’s because they struggle to consider their own role in a situation. So how can we help them reframe their perspective and start to shift out of a blame mindset? Well according to Ron Siegel, PsyD, […]