When a client is afraid, there’s a practice that can help them stay grounded in the present . . . . . . instead of getting hijacked by panic and “worst-case scenario” thinking. And that practice is mindfulness. In the video below, Tara Brach, PhD will get into how mindfulness disrupts the neurobiology of fear, […]
When Internalized Stereotypes Impact Depression
There are times when a patient may internalize painful judgments and stereotypes from the world, and they might not even realize they’ve done it. And when that patient is struggling with depression, addressing this toxic messaging can be a critical step in healing. In the video below, Shelly Harrell, PhD, will get into why it’s […]
A Compassion-Based Approach to Foster Change
Even when a client is making progress, self-blame, shame, and self-criticism can hold them back from reaching their goals. But according to Dennis Tirch, PhD there is a compassion-based strategy that can help clients keep moving forward, even during difficult emotions or circumstances. It’s a metaphor that he adapted from ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). […]
How to Address Blindspots and Racial Bias in a Session
We all have our blindspots – and by definition it’s nearly impossible to become aware of them without help. In the video below, Raymond Rodriguez, LCSW-R will get into why it’s important for therapists to work on their own blindspots and racial biases. Beyond that, he’ll talk about the problem with saying “I don’t see […]
How to Help a Client Come Back from Freezing in a Session
Working through trauma can trigger many perceived threats for our clients. They might start to breath rapidly and find it hard to hold still, or perhaps they start to freeze up during the session. So what are some practical ways to calm the nervous system and keep a client grounded – especially when they begin […]
When a Client Is Stuck in the Freeze Response
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 […]
Reporting in on the COVID-19 donations . . .
A couple months back, I promised to give away 100% of what we took in from the Working with Fear program . . . . . . and send it all to organizations responding to the COVID-19 crisis. Now it’s time to report in on where the money went. But first, a little behind the […]
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 […]
When a COVID-19 Worker Struggles to Connect with Their Partner
When a soldier comes home from war, the return to civilian life can be extremely challenging. It can feel easier to share openly and deeply with fellow soldiers who know the same battlefield experience than with a spouse. Now during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals in hard-hit areas have been compared to warzones. And for some […]
When Staying Neutral Isn’t the Best Approach
We’ve been trained to stay neutral in sessions with clients. But is this always possible, or even desirable? Well, Miguel Gallardo, PsyD had a case in which a client made racist comments. So then the question becomes, how do you handle this while still maintaining the therapeutic alliance? Find out in the video below. He’ll […]