We know that in the face of threat, the nervous system responds in ways designed to help keep us safe. For example, if your client was under physical attack, their nervous system may have gone into fight, flight, or freeze. But of course, that’s only one type of threat. And the responses that might be […]
How Feeling “Never Good Enough” Can Get Passed Down Through Generations, with Lynn Lyons, LICSW
Many times, when a client reports feeling unworthy, they may be able to pinpoint specific instances when they received messages that they weren’t good enough. But there are also indirect ways that this message can be conveyed and passed across generations – even in loving, connected families. In the video below, Lynn Lyons, LICSW, will […]
When Trauma Keeps a Patient from Trusting Their Practitioner, with Janina Fisher, PhD
As practitioners, we know how important it is to build trust with clients. But when a patient has a trauma history, trust may not come easy – and rightfully so. So, how can we go about building healthy trust in the therapeutic relationship with these clients? In the video below, Janina Fisher, PhD, shares how […]
[Infographic] Shame vs. Guilt – A Client Handout
You’ve probably heard clients use guilt and shame interchangeably to describe their feelings. But as practitioners, we know that shame and guilt are two very different emotions, each with its own purpose and path to healing. That’s why we created this free infographic designed to help clients understand the key differences between these two emotions […]
A Simple Metaphor to De-Shame a Client’s Trauma Response, with Ron Siegel, PsyD
After a traumatic event, a client might feel deeply ashamed by how they responded to the situation. Perhaps they froze and now blame themselves for not fighting back. Or, maybe they ran away, but now regret not standing up for themselves. As clinicians, we’re able to recognize that these reactions happen at the level of […]