I was reminiscing recently about our December conference in Hilton Head. We don’t host it anymore, but one moment made a lasting impact on me, and certainly touched many of the practitioners attending, too. It’s a song called If I Were Brave, by Jana Stanfield. Jana, a talented singer/songwriter, performed this inspiring song at a […]
How the Brain Works with the Vagus: Empathy and More
When someone’s frowning, or beaming, or gaping in surprise, they’re wearing their heart on their face. That’s because the muscles that control facial expression are linked to the smart vagus, says Stephen Porges, PhD. Thanks to the vagus nerve, the emotions we feel are displayed on our faces and in the sound of our voices. […]
Mindfulness and Psychotherapy – Clearing the Path to Healing
Show, don’t tell. It’s a common technique practiced by most successful teachers and writers – and one we practitioners use as well. When it comes to helping patients zero in on what’s preventing them from truly healing, getting them to a place where they can see it (and even feel it) for themselves can sometimes […]
Why Self-Compassion is Becoming a Psychotherapist’s Best Between Session Tool
Psychotherapy can be incredibly effective – we all know this. It is truly amazing how much can be accomplished between a patient and a therapist in each session. But the world outside the therapist’s door can often be cold, harsh, and lonely to vulnerable patients. Regression can occur while patients are still days or weeks […]