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, and she does it with a powerful metaphor that you could share with your clients.
When a client begins to develop their “mindfulness muscles,” that client is more likely to be able to stay centered and calm in a triggering moment . . .
. . . and that can make all the difference between a hasty reaction and a wise response.
Now we’d like to hear from you. What are some questions you have about applying mindfulness in your clinical work? Please let us know in the comments below.
Great explanation. It made good sense and helped me see how mindfulness is helping me recognise where I am at and others may be at, in the reactions and responses to circumstances.
Thank you, that was the best explanation !!!!
A great explanation about the connection between anxiety and calm I can use with clients.
Thank you.
A concise and effective description of regulation and mindfulness. Thank you.
This is a lovely and useful analogy.
But it seems to raise the alternative issue of limbic functions — like empathy — being overridden by the frontal cortex.
Whence psychopathy.
(I’ll refrain from stating the obvious political context that brings this contrast to mind.)
Very interesting comment which makes me think a lot !
If one equates, at least in first approximation, mindfulness with frontal cortex activity, this doesn’t automatically mean cold and mechanical reasoning without any emotion.
This is true that it’s high time to put an end to a long-lasting ambiguity. Indeed I have noticed that mindfulness – in particular as so relevantly taught by Tara Brach – more and more claims its companionship with compassion. They are, as Tara mentions, the two wings of a bird !
Great job with the video display this time. I think the way the interviewer video came in from the side on the last one gave the perception of interrupting/pushing the speaker aside, which stoked some interesting comments. Love these little bite size teachings/reminders, your service to the clinical community is greatly appreciated.
Thank- You for this great explanation.
Thank you Tara & NICABM once again for the helpful and practical application of scientific principals into my therapy practice. I think the visual aide of using the arm, hand and thumb will help my clients to remember to use their mindfulness skills to stay grounded and reduce ruminating fears.
Thank you! I always enjoy the great line up of teachers that you bring to us. I have spent time with and have studied with Tara Brach and love what she brings to the table. I would love to see Suzanne Jones integrated into the NIcabm team. She is the founder of TIMBo, and she has a book out called “There is Nothing to Fix”. She would fit right in with your format. The TIMBo organization is helping women with trauma around the world. I love your programs. I just purchased your most recent program on Shame. It is truly a fantastic program.
Absolutely fantastic .
Thank you!!!
I have Been using the fist to visually demonstrate the amygdala and the brain going “off-line“ during perceived or real danger. It’s been very helpful to my clients of all ages. I love this added piece of recognizing the ability to re-integrate the whole.
Lovely video – thank you so much for sharing
I have been using the clenched fist as a metaphor for the brain and arm for the brain stem for some time, but without the thumb as the amygdala. Thank you I will definitely use your explanation in future. Thank you.
Having a physical gesture to embody this idea of brain integration, along with a great explanation was incredibly helpful.
Thank you once again Tara.