By now, you’re probably familiar with many of the benefits of mindfulness. Maybe you even practice it yourself. Nevertheless, getting a client to try it out can still prove tricky for many therapists. So in the video below, Zindel Segal, PhD shares a simple way for you to help a client begin to explore the […]
[Infographic] The Neuroscience of Naming Shadow Parts
As therapists, we know the power of naming something. You’ve probably heard this before . . . . . . you have to name it to tame it. Well, not only does that sound catchy, but there’s a wealth of research to back it up. So when it comes to working with the parts of […]
A Four-Step Approach to Working with Anger – with Ron Siegel, PsyD
For many clients, expressing anger can feel overwhelming, shameful, or even downright scary. Problem is (and as I know you know), when a client takes great pains to avoid anger, it often just leads to bigger problems. So how might we resource clients with skills that can help them respond to and manage their anger […]
Recognizing the More Subtle Signs of the Freeze Response
It’s often easy to identify the obvious cues that your client is in freeze . . . . . . but what about times when the signs are so subtle, you might dismiss it (or even overlook it)? In the video below, Ruth Lanius, MD, PhD shares how recognizing a more subtle sign of freeze […]
An Attachment-Based Approach for Clients Who Avoid Conflict
When clients avoid conflict, it can make sustaining relationships difficult. And that includes the therapeutic relationship. But according to Eboni Webb, PsyD, before you address your client’s conflict avoidance head on, you might want to consider their attachment style. In the video below, Eboni walks through her attachment-based approach with clients who avoid conflict or […]
The Intersectionality of Depression & Racialized Trauma – A Case Study
Race and trauma can often be intertwined, particularly for BIPOC clients. And these experiences can leave them feeling disempowered and hopeless. What’s more, for clients with a history of racial trauma, this sense of hopelessness can deepen into depression, especially in a society that often fails to recognize the impact of racism. So how might […]
A Titrated Approach to Help Clients Confront Distressing Emotions
When a client hits a roadblock in therapy, it’s sometimes because they’re actively trying to avoid stirring up (or even talking about) painful memories or emotions. Now of course, it’s understandable why most clients skirt around painful topics to some extent . . . . . . but as we know, it can also become […]
Helping Clients Make Meaning Out of Loss
When a client experiences a significant or sudden loss, it can feel all-consuming . . . . . . especially when they start to sift through the layers of emotion that so often accompany grief. So how might you help a client process those intense emotions, so that they can begin to make meaning out […]
Three Questions to Help Clients Process and Release Regret
When regret takes hold, many clients spiral into self-criticism and self-blame . . . . . . and too often, it becomes a debilitating loop that only deepens their regret. But according to Ron Siegel, PsyD, there are three key questions you might ask to help your client begin to disrupt this cycle and release […]
Pat Ogden, PhD’s Go-To Strategies for Working with Clients who Please & Appease
In the aftermath of trauma, getting to the heart of your client’s pain can be complex – especially when that client is caught in a defense response pattern that trauma researchers often identify as please and appease. For many clients, chronic people-pleasing bleeds into every relationship. . . . . . and when that includes […]