For many clients, the holiday season is all about connecting with family and friends. But this year, with the US election not very far in the rearview, holiday gatherings might feel a little more emotionally charged. . . . . . especially if your client has dear friends and family who are politically across the […]
An IFS Approach to Help Clients When Regret Prolongs Their Grief – with Richard Schwartz, PhD
It’s not unusual for clients to experience feelings of regret after losing someone or something they hold dear. But according to Richard Schwartz, PhD, there are two specific forms of regret that can prolong a client’s grief. So in the video below, Richard shares an Internal Family Systems approach for targeting both types of regret […]
A Trauma-Informed Framework to Help Clients Stuck in a “Resentment Mindset” – with Janina Fisher, PhD
When a client is really hooked into resentment it might be a sign of a deeper, sometimes traumatic, wound. According to Janina Fisher, PhD, this often has to do with the way traumatic memories are stored. With that in mind, there’s a simple reframe Janina relies on to help her chip away at what we […]
A Strategy for Helping Clients Work Through their Sticking Points – with Thema Bryant, PhD
When a client feels stuck, it could be a fear of failure that keeps them from moving forward. Not only that but staying stuck might be their way of shutting out deeper insecurities. So how can we help clients work through their fears and reconnect to the kind of hope that spurs forward momentum and […]
A Simple Way to Help a Client Experiment with Mindfulness (Even When They’re Skeptical)
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 […]