Lessons from the psychotherapy chair

Mary
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  • MENTAL HEALTH

I have been in both chairs in the psychotherapy room, and I have learned the value of good therapy, and I have learned the value of bad therapy. Not only have I learned the value of therapy, but I have also learned a lot of lessons in both chairs. Today, I occupy the psychotherapist chair and sometimes the client chair, and I continue to learn lessons that both surprise me and teach me that a graduate degree does not guarantee expertise or even basic knowledge about mental health in today's world. I want to share some of the things that I have learned from both chairs that have set the course of my journey both as a therapist and a human being. These are the lessons learned by an OG WooWoo Therapist during 28 years in the therapist chair.

  1. The High Cost of Perfectionism

    5D AGO

    The High Cost of Perfectionism

    Send us Fan Mail Today's episode is another client suggested topic. It is on perfectionism and excellence. Hope you enjoy! Support the show

    29 min
  2. Encounters, Evidence, and the Unexplainable

    APR 2

    Encounters, Evidence, and the Unexplainable

    Send us Fan Mail Today I visit a topic that is one of my favorites and gives breadth to my woowooness.  The paranormal isn't a topic that one normally thinks about when they think about psychotherapy but it is relevant since several clients over the years have had paranormal experiences and needed to figure out if they were losing their minds. And sometimes they just needed a witness to their telling of their experiences. Support the show

    31 min
  3. More about attachment

    MAR 26

    More about attachment

    Send us Fan Mail Today I talk about attachment theory, attachment wounding, and attachment trauma. Here is a list of resources if you want to go deeper. John Bowlby Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Attachment. Basic Books. Mary Ainsworth Ainsworth, M. D. S., Blehar, M. C., Waters, E., & Wall, S. (1978). Patterns of attachment: A psychological study of the strange situation. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Allan N. Schore Schore, A. N. (2003). Affect dysregulation and disorders of the self. W. W. Norton & Company. Judith Herman Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence—from domestic abuse to political terror. Basic Books. Bessel van der Kolk van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.   World Health Organization World Health Organization. (2019). International classification of diseases (11th ed.). https://icd.who.int/ Richard C. Schwartz Schwartz, R. C. (1995). Internal family systems therapy. Guilford Press. Schwartz, R. C. (2021). No bad parts: Healing trauma and restoring wholeness with the Internal Family Systems model. Sounds True. Sue Johnson Johnson, S. M. (2004). The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy: Creating connection (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge. Johnson, S. M. (2019). Attachment theory in practice: EFT with individuals, couples, and families. Guilford Press. Jeffrey Young Young, J. E., Klosko, J. S., & Weishaar, M. E. (2003). Schema therapy: A practitioner’s guide. Guilford Press. Peter A. Levine Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the tiger: Healing trauma. North Atlantic Books. Levine, P. A. (2010). In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. North Atlantic Books. Stephen W. Porges Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company. Peter Fonagy Fonagy, P., Gergely, G., Jurist, E. L., & Target, M. (2002). Affect regulation, mentalization, and the development of the self. Other Press.   Fonagy, P., & Bateman, A. W. (2006). Mentalization-based treatment for borderline personality disorder: A practical guide. Oxford University Press. Edward Tronick Tronick, E. (2007). The neurobehavioral and social-emotional development of infants and children. W. W. Norton & Company. Daniel J. Siegel Siegel, D. J. (2012). The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are (2nd ed.). Guilford Press. Pat Ogden Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body: A sensorimotor approach to psychotherapy. W. W. Norton & Company. Support the show

    18 min
  4. Emotional shutdown vs Autism

    MAR 24

    Emotional shutdown vs Autism

    Send us Fan Mail Today I talk about emotional shutdown with CPTSD and autism. This is a client requested topic. I am not a trained autism therapist but have basic knowledge enough to speak with confidence. Here are some resources if you want to go deeper. Levine, P. A. (2010). In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. North Atlantic Books. Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body: A sensorimotor approach to psychotherapy. W. W. Norton. Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking. Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton. Dana, D. (2018). The polyvagal theory in therapy: Engaging the rhythm of regulation. W. W. Norton. Schore, A. N. (2012). The science of the art of psychotherapy. W. W. Norton. Putnam, F. W. (1997). Dissociation in children and adolescents: A developmental perspective. Guilford Press. van der Hart, O., Nijenhuis, E. R. S., & Steele, K. (2006). The haunted self: Structural dissociation and the treatment of chronic traumatization. W. W. Norton. Attwood, T. (2007). The complete guide to Asperger’s syndrome. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Kapp, S. K. (Ed.). (2020). Autistic community and the neurodiversity movement: Stories from the frontline. Palgrave Macmillan. Dell’Osso, L., Carpita, B., Muti, D., & Morelli, V. (2018). Autism spectrum in patients with PTSD: Clinical implications. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health, 14, 191–198. Rumball, F., Happé, F., & Grey, N. (2020). Experience of trauma and PTSD symptoms in autistic adults: Risk of PTSD development following DSM-5 and non-DSM-5 traumatic life events. Autism Research, 13(12), 2122–2132. Support the show

    31 min
  5. Shame, CPTSD, and Dissociation: Understanding the Hidden Survival System

    MAR 13

    Shame, CPTSD, and Dissociation: Understanding the Hidden Survival System

    Send us Fan Mail Today I talk about healing shame when there is CPTSD and dissociation. Here is a resource list if you want to go deeper. Bradshaw, J. (2005). Healing the shame that binds you. Health Communications. Brown, B. (2007). I thought it was just me (but it isn’t): Making the journey from “what will people think?” to “I am enough.” Gotham Books. Brown, B. (2012). Daring greatly: How the courage to be vulnerable transforms the way we live, love, parent, and lead. Gotham Books. Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. Basic Books. Dana, D. (2018). The polyvagal theory in therapy: Engaging the rhythm of regulation. W. W. Norton & Company. Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence—from domestic abuse to political terror. Basic Books. Johnson, R. A. (1991). Owning your own shadow: Understanding the dark side of the psyche. HarperOne. Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the tiger: Healing trauma. North Atlantic Books. Maté, G. (2022). The myth of normal: Trauma, illness, and healing in a toxic culture. Avery. Nathanson, D. L. (1992). Shame and pride: Affect, sex, and the birth of the self. W. W. Norton & Company. Ogden, P., Minton, K., & Pain, C. (2006). Trauma and the body: A sensorimotor approach to psychotherapy. W. W. Norton & Company. Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company. Schwartz, R. C. (2021). No bad parts: Healing trauma and restoring wholeness with the Internal Family Systems model. Sounds True. van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking. Walker, P. (2013). Complex PTSD: From surviving to thriving: A guide and map for recovering from childhood trauma. Azure Coyote Publishing. Zweig, C., & Abrams, J. (Eds.). (1991). Meeting the shadow: The hidden power of the dark side of human nature. Jeremy P. Tarcher. Support the show

    32 min
  6. When Trauma Meets Attention: CPTSD and untreated ADHD

    MAR 6

    When Trauma Meets Attention: CPTSD and untreated ADHD

    Send us Fan Mail Today I talk about a common issue for many of my clients and that is untreated ADHD and CPTSD. Here is a list of resources you may find helpful. Resources: Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signalling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nature Reviews Neuroscience. Barkley, R. A. (2015). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment. Cortese, S., et al. (2021). Neurobiology of ADHD. Lancet Psychiatry. Faraone, S. V., et al. (2021). ADHD pharmacology meta-analysis. World Psychiatry. McEwen, B. S., & Morrison, J. H. (2013). Stress effects on cognition. Neuron. Shaw, P., et al. (2014). Emotional dysregulation in ADHD. American Journal of Psychiatry. Szymanski, K., et al. (2011). Trauma exposure and ADHD. Journal of Traumatic Stress. Support the show

    22 min
  7. Spirituality in trauma and grief psychotherapy

    FEB 27

    Spirituality in trauma and grief psychotherapy

    Send us Fan Mail Today I talk about spirituality as part of the therapeutic process. Support the show

    27 min
  8. Depression, Dysthymia, and CPTSD

    FEB 23

    Depression, Dysthymia, and CPTSD

    Send us Fan Mail In today's podcast the topic is MDD, Dysthymia, and CPTSD and I take a look at that through the polyvagal lens. I have included a bibliography of sources. Bibliography — Trauma, Dissociation, and Polyvagal-Informed Treatment I. Foundational Trauma & Dissociation Theory The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk (2014) Neurobiology of trauma, somatic memory, developmental trauma.Foundational bridge between PTSD and complex dissociation.The Haunted Self — Onno van der Hart, Ellert Nijenhuis, Kathy Steele (2006) Structural Dissociation Theory (ANP/EP framework).Core theoretical model for DID/OSDD phase treatment.Coping with Trauma-Related Dissociation — Boon, Steele & van der Hart (2011) Practical stabilization interventions.Widely used clinical workbook.Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors — Janina Fisher (2017) Parts-based trauma treatment without pathologizing multiplicity.Integrates attachment + neurobiology.II. Complex PTSD & Attachment Trauma Trauma and Recovery — Judith Herman (1992/2015) Origin of phase-oriented trauma treatment.Conceptual precursor to CPTSD diagnosis.Attachment in Psychotherapy — David Wallin (2007) Attachment neuroscience applied to therapy relationship.Affect Regulation and the Origin of the Self — Allan Schore (1994) Right-brain development and relational regulation.Major influence on modern trauma therapy.The Developing Mind — Daniel Siegel (1999/2012) Interpersonal neurobiology.Window of tolerance foundations.III. Polyvagal Theory — Primary Sources The Polyvagal Theory — Stephen W. Porges (2011) Original articulation of hierarchical autonomic states.Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory — Porges & Dana (2018) Translation into psychotherapy practice.Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection — Deb Dana (2020) Practical mapping and regulation exercises.Anchored — Deb Dana (2021) IV. Somatic & Bottom-Up Trauma Treatment Sensorimotor Psychotherapy — Pat Ogden, Kekuni Minton & Clare Pain (2006) Body-based trauma processing.Links autonomic activation and dissociation.Trauma and the Body — Ogden & Fisher (2015) Integration of parts work and somatic tracking.Waking the Tiger — Peter Levine (1997) Somatic Experiencing foundations.V. Dissociation-Specific Clinical Treatment Treating Trauma-Related Dissociation — Steele, Boon & van der Hart (2017) EMDR Therapy and Dissociation — Jim Knipe (2015) EMDR modifications for dissociative clients.Attachment, Trauma and Multiplicity — Paul Dell & O’Neil (2009) VI. Window of Tolerance & Regulation Models The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory — Stephen Porges (2017) Siegel, D. (1999). Window of Tolerance concept (Interpersonal Neurobiology framework). Ogden & Fisher — sensorimotor arousal tracking. (Bibliography generated by AI) Support the show

    32 min
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About

I have been in both chairs in the psychotherapy room, and I have learned the value of good therapy, and I have learned the value of bad therapy. Not only have I learned the value of therapy, but I have also learned a lot of lessons in both chairs. Today, I occupy the psychotherapist chair and sometimes the client chair, and I continue to learn lessons that both surprise me and teach me that a graduate degree does not guarantee expertise or even basic knowledge about mental health in today's world. I want to share some of the things that I have learned from both chairs that have set the course of my journey both as a therapist and a human being. These are the lessons learned by an OG WooWoo Therapist during 28 years in the therapist chair.

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