How can we help clients better understand when their nervous system is going into “defense mode”? According to polyvagal theory, the nervous system has three pathways it can follow in the face of a threat. By helping clients map these pathways, they can begin to identify their triggers and develop strategies for staying grounded. That’s […]
Treating Racial Trauma in 106 Countries
Now that we’ve wrapped up The Trauma of Racism: Expert Strategies to Help Clients Heal, I’d like to take a moment to thank you again for tuning in. We believe that helping clients of color heal from the painful wounds of racism is so important. That’s why we made it our mission to make this […]
Can Self-Care Be a Form of Protest? – with Eboni Webb, PsyD
For many people of color, the fight for racial justice and equality is a lifelong struggle . . . . . . but the effort required to constantly work toward social change can easily consume a person – especially when they continue to witness traumatic acts of injustice. So in the video below, Eboni Webb, […]
An Exercise for Working with Hypoarousal – with Eboni Webb, PsyD
There are times when a client may get triggered and overwhelmed in the middle of difficult trauma work. For some clients this can look like anger, irritability, a rapid heart rate, and other signs of hyperarousal. But for other clients, you might see them become less and less responsive as their arousal drops. And this […]
Bessel van der Kolk, MD, On Trauma-Induced Shame
Trauma can leave clients with deep, debilitating feelings of shame. And for clients who experienced trauma in early childhood, those feelings may have shaped their self-narrative for years. So in the video below, Bessel van der Kolk, MD shares how he approaches trauma-induced shame that stems from childhood trauma. Have a look. […]
Enhancing Trauma Therapy with Compassion – with Dennis Tirch, PhD
Sharing a traumatic memory can be a challenging and painful part of therapy for clients. It’s a time when we have to be particularly alert for signs that the client is getting either too hypo- or hyperaroused to safely continue. But compassion-based approaches increase a client’s capacity to revisit traumatic memories and explore difficult sensations. […]
Looking at Political Differences Through an IFS Lens – with Frank Anderson, MD
Does your client have a friend or family member they’re stressed about seeing this holiday season? Someone they’re uncomfortable being around because of their political views? It’s a common situation for many clients (and practitioners, too) – and it can be hard to connect with these people when we disagree so strongly. But Frank Anderson, […]
Reporting In – Giving Back in 2021
Ever since I was a little girl, my mother and father emphasized the importance of giving back. I’ve always admired how, even when we didn’t have much, they taught us to tithe and give 10% of our allowance to the church. Not only that, but they also encouraged us to give an offering beyond our […]
[Infographic] A Four-Step Approach for Overcoming Anxiety
When a client suffers from anxiety, they’re often locked in worry about the future . . . . . . which can prevent them from enjoying meaningful parts of life in the present. But one way that clients can work through their anxiety is by building a values-based mindset. So in the infographic below, we […]
A Three-Step Approach to Help Clients Tolerate Distress
When a client is in emotional distress, their first instinct is often to try to make the pain go away . . . . . . but by avoiding those feelings, the pain usually just grows. That’s why helping clients learn to sit with and manage distress is critical. In the video below, Michael Yapko, […]