The concept of the Window of Tolerance, developed by Dr. Dan Siegel, has become an essential framework in trauma-informed psychotherapy. It describes the optimal zone of arousal in which a person can function effectively, think clearly, and engage socially. For those...
Psychotherapy
Understanding the Window of Tolerance in Trauma Therapy
Panic in the Therapy Room: Grounding vs. Internal Family Systems
When someone experiences a panic attack during therapy, the typical response is to help them “ground” — reconnecting with the present moment through the five senses, breathwork, or body awareness. This somatic approach often offers vital immediate relief. However, the...
Book Review: Mindsight by Daniel J. Siegel
Daniel J. Siegel’s Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation (2010) presents a compelling integration of neuroscience and psychotherapy, grounded in what he terms interpersonal neurobiology. Aimed at both clinicians and lay readers, the book combines...
What Is Pesso Boyden Therapy? A Look at Its Role in Psychotherapy
What Is Pesso Boyden Therapy? A Look at Its Role in Psychotherapy Pesso Boyden System Psychomotor (PBSP) is a body-based therapeutic approach developed by dancer and therapist Albert Pesso and his wife Diane Boyden-Pesso in the 1960s. While rooted in psychotherapeutic...
The Pros and Cons of Using Touch in Psychotherapy
Touch is one of the most primal forms of communication, and its potential role in psychotherapy is both powerful and controversial. While some clinicians find therapeutic touch helpful for building rapport and promoting healing (e.g. Yalom), others warn against its...
An Introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a transformative psychotherapeutic approach developed by Dr Richard C. Schwartz in the 1980s. Rooted in systems theory, IFS views the mind as being composed of “parts,” each with its own unique perspectives, emotions, and...
How Mearns’ Concept of Relational Depth Informs a Relational Model of Counselling
Mearns’ work on relational depth has been influential in shaping how practitioners understand and develop meaningful connections with their clients. At its core, relational depth refers to moments of profound contact and mutual understanding. By integrating these...
Exploring Petruska Clarkson’s Five Relationship Modalities
Petruska Clarkson proposed five distinct ways in which therapist and client connect. Each modality reflects a different facet of the therapeutic alliance, helping us understand the complexity and richness of effective therapy sessions. This article will explore each...
The Danger of Relying on the Child Ego State in Transactional Analysis
John Lanchester’s quote in Whoops! about the perils of relying on misleading information provides a compelling analogy for the dangers of being overly dependent on the Child Ego State in Transactional Analysis (TA). ‘You’re worse off relying on misleading information...
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