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 […]