Connection Therapy

Brenda Murrow
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Mental Health

Hello and thank you for joining the Connection Therapy podcast. This is a podcast about the craft of psychotherapy and we seek to support those who strive to improve their craft by sharing research about the science and stories about the art of psychology. Together we will explore these findings so you can decide how you want to apply them to benefit your practice.

  1. 3d ago

    103. The Levels of Synchrony in Therapy

    In this episode, Dr. Murrow reviews an integrative framework for the therapeutic alliance by authors Koole & Tschacher (2016). Among many things, this framework encourages the therapist’s awareness of multiple facets in the therapy session and it even makes space for these to be assessed in different time horizons. This episode will validate your experience in terms of the wide variety of factors that affect your session, and it will also encourage your awareness of and abilities in attending to them. Attend a Course at Connection Therapy: https://connection-therapy.com/courses-and-events We Want to Hear Your Feedback! Please Contribute to the Conversation: Share your thoughts on the podcast and how these concepts work in your practice, or ask a question and I’ll answer it in an upcoming episode: https://connection-therapy.com/contact-us Leave feedback or ask a question with a message on Instagram: @theconnectiontherapypodcast Enjoying the podcast? There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlist References: Koole, S. L., & Tschacher, W. (2016). Synchrony in psychotherapy: A review and an integrative framework for the therapeutic alliance. Frontiers in Psychology, 7. Wienhold, S., Bär, L., Ringleb, Z., Zirpel, V., Gomolla, A., Denk, B. F., Volkmer, N., Gaertner, R. J., Klink, E. S. C., & Pruessner, J. C. (2025). The relationship of early life adversity and physiological synchrony within the therapeutic triad in horse-assisted therapy. Journal of Neural Transmission, 132(9), 1291–1312. https://doi-org.pgi.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s00702-025-02947-7

  2. Jul 15

    102. Supports That Are Needed in Session for Change to Happen

    In this episode, Dr. Murrow shares research about the need for a strong therapeutic alliance to occur in session, in order for there to be a likelihood for changes to be possible outside of session for the patient. This information will be helpful to practicing clinicians as they navigate a patient’s readiness for change, as evidenced by more than what is said. Attend a Course at Connection Therapy: https://connection-therapy.com/courses-and-events We Want to Hear Your Feedback! Please Contribute to the Conversation: Share your thoughts on the podcast and how these concepts work in your practice, or ask a question and I’ll answer it in an upcoming episode: https://connection-therapy.com/contact-us Leave feedback or ask a question with a message on Instagram: @theconnectiontherapypodcast Enjoying the podcast? There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlist References: Allen, J. G. (2024). What We Do Unwittingly. Psychiatry: Interpersonal & Biological Processes, 87(3), 211–215. https://doi-org.pgi.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/00332747.2024.2385085 Dennett, D. C. (1987). The intentional stance. MIT Press. Dennett, D. C. (2013). Intuition pumps and other tools for thinking. Norton Shapiro, D. (2024). On psychodynamic defense. Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes 87(3). Slade, A., Sadler, L. S., Eaves, T., & Webb, D. L. (2023). Enhancing attachment and reflective parenting: A minding the baby approach. Guilford. Stern, D. B. (2019). The infinity of the unsaid: Unformulated experience, language, and the nonverbal. Routledge. Stern, D. N. (2004). The present moment in psychotherapy and everyday life. Norton.

  3. Jul 8

    101. There’s Hope in Research Providing Potential Improvements

    In this episode, Brenda reviews a research framework that is aimed at addressing much of the concerns with the practice of mental health, currently. That is to say, there is a research framework that is attempting to integrate the variety of ways patients report symptoms and the variety of ways clinicians have found helpful interventions. This framework does not emphasize one model over another, but is simply aimed at learning more about the causes of mental health. Acknowledging there will be considerable time before practicing clinicians can make use of this framework, she shares her aspirations about what it could mean, while also emphasizing the common experiences most therapists have. Attend a Course at Connection Therapy: https://connection-therapy.com/courses-and-events We Want to Hear Your Feedback! Please Contribute to the Conversation: Share your thoughts on the podcast and how these concepts work in your practice, or ask a question and I’ll answer it in an upcoming episode: https://connection-therapy.com/contact-us Leave feedback or ask a question with a message on Instagram: @theconnectiontherapypodcast Enjoying the podcast? There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlist

  4. Jul 1

    100. Increasing our Skills in Observation Leads to Improvements in our Interventions

    In the milestone episode, Brenda shares gratitude for listeners as well as her interest in learning and hearing from them about their experiences. She also shares her vision for the field of psychotherapy, and how the podcast topics are specifically designed to support that mission. Attend a Course at Connection Therapy: https://connection-therapy.com/courses-and-events We Want to Hear Your Feedback! Please Contribute to the Conversation: Share your thoughts on the podcast and how these concepts work in your practice, or ask a question and I’ll answer it in an upcoming episode: https://connection-therapy.com/contact-us Leave feedback or ask a question with a message on Instagram: @ Enjoying the podcast? There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlist

  5. Jun 24

    99. Using Your Voice to Set the Frame in the Therapy Session

    In this episode, Brenda shares more details about how therapists may use their voice in their intentions to set-up a calm and safe environment for patients. There is research that shows therapists intentionally do attempt to modify their voice prosody to this aim. Brenda offers reflections on how this might work, and provides an opportunity for listeners to further consider how and why this might work for them to do in their own practices. Attend a Course at Connection Therapy: https://connection-therapy.com/courses-and-events We Want to Hear Your Feedback! Please Contribute to the Conversation: Share your thoughts on the podcast and how these concepts work in your practice, or ask a question and I’ll answer it in an upcoming episode: https://connection-therapy.com/contact-us Leave feedback or ask a question with a message on Instagram: @theconnectiontherapypodcast Enjoying the podcast? There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlist References: Klapprott F, Strauß B, Gumz A. More than words: The role of therapists' prosody-Reflections from practitioners. Psychol Psychother. 2026 Jun;99(2):501-518. doi: 10.1111/papt.70033. Epub 2026 Jan 19. PMID: 41550038. https://www.annafreud.org/training/health-and-social-care/mentalization-based-treatments-mbt/mentalization-based-treatment-adults/about-mbt/

  6. Jun 17

    98. Emotional Variety is an Indicator of Attachment Style

    In today’s episode, Brenda explores a study that documents how adults with different attachment styles do display different emotional variances, as reflected by voice prosody, when reflecting on positive and negative experiences from their childhoods. This experience is likely to be something we all have experienced, but is especially relevant for mental health practitioners. She shares some potential interventions to support someone in expanding their emotional expression. Attend a Course at Connection Therapy: https://connection-therapy.com/courses-and-events We Want to Hear Your Feedback! Please Contribute to the Conversation: Share your thoughts on the podcast and how these concepts work in your practice, or ask a question and I’ll answer it in an upcoming episode: https://connection-therapy.com/contact-us Leave feedback or ask a question with a message on Instagram: @theconnectiontherapypodcast Enjoying the podcast? There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlist References: Spinelli, M., Fasolo, M., Coppola, G., & Aureli, T. (2019). It is a matter of how you say it: Verbal content and prosody matching as an index of emotion regulation strategies during the Adult Attachment Interview. International Journal of Psychology, 54(1), 102–107. https://doi-org.pgi.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/ijop.12415

  7. Jun 10

    97. Before You Understand What You Hear, You Feel It

    In this episode, Dr. Murrow describes some research to validate the common experience of sensing someone’s emotions even before the words are fully understood in a message. She validates why this knowledge is extremely relevant to the practice of mental health, and provides some reflections for practitioners to consider when they hear it in their work. Attend a Course at Connection Therapy: https://connection-therapy.com/courses-and-events We Want to Hear Your Feedback! Please Contribute to the Conversation: Share your thoughts on the podcast and how these concepts work in your practice, or ask a question and I’ll answer it in an upcoming episode: https://connection-therapy.com/contact-us Leave feedback or ask a question with a message on Instagram: @theconnectiontherapypodcast Enjoying the podcast? There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlist References: Pell, M. D., Cui, H., Mori, Y., & Jiang, X. (2026). Speak or shout? Nonverbal vocalizations promote rapid detection of emotions in vocal communication. PLoS ONE, 21(1), 1–24. https://doi-org.pgi.idm.oclc.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327529

  8. Jun 3

    96. Assessing Readiness for Interventions by Listening to Voice Prosody

    Brenda breaks down an experience most therapists have and reinforces their intuitions about what to do next. As she describes, when someone begins therapy in a state of hyper-alertness, it is important to know when their non-verbal cues signal that their social engagement system is active. Interventions are most effective when the client is in a nervous system state that enables social engagement, and Brenda explains how therapists can assess that via voice prosody, and she also shares the ways she supports this outcome during session. Attend a Course at Connection Therapy: https://connection-therapy.com/courses-and-events We Want to Hear Your Feedback! Please Contribute to the Conversation: Share your thoughts on the podcast and how these concepts work in your practice, or ask a question and I’ll answer it in an upcoming episode: https://connection-therapy.com/contact-us Leave feedback or ask a question with a message on Instagram: @theconnectiontherapypodcast Enjoying the podcast? There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlist References: Bessel Van der Kolk (2015). The Body Keeps the Score.

See All (103)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Hello and thank you for joining the Connection Therapy podcast. This is a podcast about the craft of psychotherapy and we seek to support those who strive to improve their craft by sharing research about the science and stories about the art of psychology. Together we will explore these findings so you can decide how you want to apply them to benefit your practice.

Information

  • Creator
    Brenda Murrow
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    Connection Therapy