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 […]
A Story for Clients Stuck in Worry and “What Ifs”
There are times when a client can get stuck in “what if” scenarios and worry about the future. And when that happens, it stifles their ability to think clearly and approach their problems with wisdom and creativity. But there’s a very succinct, engaging story that’s popular in Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) that can help clients see […]
When a COVID-19 Worker Struggles to Connect with Their Partner
When a soldier comes home from war, the return to civilian life can be extremely challenging. It can feel easier to share openly and deeply with fellow soldiers who know the same battlefield experience than with a spouse. Now during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals in hard-hit areas have been compared to warzones. And for some […]
When Staying Neutral Isn’t the Best Approach
We’ve been trained to stay neutral in sessions with clients. But is this always possible, or even desirable? Well, Miguel Gallardo, PsyD had a case in which a client made racist comments. So then the question becomes, how do you handle this while still maintaining the therapeutic alliance? Find out in the video below. He’ll […]
Working with the Trauma of Racism
Racism can be deeply traumatic. And for one teenager who was repeatedly experiencing racism, it was triggering a freeze response. So how did Thema Bryant, PhD work with her? She’ll share her approach in the video below. Thema will also explain the difference between traditional trauma therapy and liberation therapy, and why liberation therapy can […]