In the aftermath of trauma, some clients turn to self-harm to relieve intense feelings of shame, anxiety, or even emotional numbness. Over time, these harmful behaviors can become addictive – and helping clients break that cycle can be a challenging process. So in the video below, Pat Ogden, PhD explains how she helps clients gain […]
When Racism Triggers Emotional Reactivity
For many clients, racism can be a deeply emotional topic. The experience of racism (and the scenes of racial injustice that occur far too often) can trigger a wave of painful emotions that threaten to shift clients into a state of reactivity and overwhelm. Shelly Harrell, PhD worked with a client who found herself in […]
What We Might Be Missing – Listening for Racial Stress in Session
There may be times when a client comes into a session with a specific story about racism that they experienced, and they want to talk about it. But according to Usha Tummala-Narra, PhD, a client’s experience of racial stress will usually come up much more subtly – and it could be easy to miss if […]
Tara Brach, PhD, and How to Work with Chronic Self-Judgement
What would you say to a client who feels as if they’ve wasted years of their life trapped in a cycle of harsh self-judgement? You see, feeling like you’re “never enough” is very common. According to Tara Brach, PhD, this sense of inadequacy leads to some of the most pervasive suffering in our culture. In […]
A Compassion-Focused Approach to Self-Critical, Negative Thoughts
For some clients, not an hour goes by without an intrusive thought from their “inner critic” . . . . . . and the shame, blame, and fear that it stirs up can be paralyzing. So how can we help clients who struggle to keep these unwelcome thoughts in check? Well, Dennis Tirch, PhD, has a […]