What triggers the freeze response? We tend to think of traumatic events, but according to Peter Levine, PhD, that’s not always the case. Even a perceived threat can be enough for a client to get stuck in a frozen state. So how can we help clients who are stuck in the freeze response to move […]
A Story for Clients Stuck in Worry and “What Ifs”
There are times when a client can get stuck in “what if” scenarios and worry about the future. And when that happens, it stifles their ability to think clearly and approach their problems with wisdom and creativity. But there’s a very succinct, engaging story that’s popular in Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) that can help clients see […]
Working with the Trauma of Racism
Racism can be deeply traumatic. And for one teenager who was repeatedly experiencing racism, it was triggering a freeze response. So how did Thema Bryant, PhD work with her? She’ll share her approach in the video below. Thema will also explain the difference between traditional trauma therapy and liberation therapy, and why liberation therapy can […]
COVID-19 Frontliners and Moral Injury
The COVID-19 pandemic has put immense strain on healthcare workers around the world. They’ve had to make impossible decisions, work in unsafe conditions, and often still feel like they didn’t do enough to help. For some frontliners, they will emerge from the pandemic with moral injuries similar to what we see in soldiers who’ve been […]
Making a Nervous System “Menu” – a Tool for Your Clients
During the pandemic, your clients may be looking for answers to help them manage the uncertainty and stress of our “new normal.” And there’s no shortage of advice out there. The thing is, while some ideas are truly helpful, others may only heighten the discomfort. According to Deb Dana, LCSW, the key is to help […]