Connection Therapy

Today’s episode is a special one. We’re switching things up as Brenda takes a seat on the other side of the conversation. Joining her is longtime friend and colleague, Kinsey Rone, a fellow mental health therapist who knows Brenda’s journey in the field firsthand. But today, Kinsey isn’t just here as a friend—she’s here to interview Brenda, giving listeners an opportunity to hear her story, her pa...

Non-verbal communication holds incredible power in therapy. In today’s episode Brenda highlights the intersection of Dance Movement Therapy and Video microanalysis, inspired by research from Rebecca Houghton and Dr. Beatrice Beebe. Together, these approaches offer new insights into movement and communication in therapeutic settings.   Brenda reflects on how actions and movements often reveal more...

In today’s episode, Brenda unpacks a research study that explores the profound impact of something as simple as a walk. The study focused on older adults and how engaging with awe during a walk could change their emotional and mental well-being.  Participants were asked to take weekly walks and snap photos along the way—pictures of themselves and anything that caught their attention. They were enc...

Today, Brenda wraps up her series on Erik Erikson’s 8-stage model by focusing on Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion, a pivotal phase for adolescents aged 12-18. This stage, that Brenda often calls the "trying on coats" phase, is all about self-discovery and the search for identity. Why is this important? As Brenda explains, understanding Erikson’s stages gives therapists a framework to contextua...

In today’s episode, Brenda takes listeners into the 4th stage of Erikson’s model—Industry vs. Inferiority. This stage, typically between the ages of 6 and 11, is all about children figuring out their abilities and learning to feel competent. Brenda highlights how, during this stage, kids start putting in a lot of effort, but they’re also grappling with the reality that they can’t always be the bes...

In this week’s episode, Brenda brings listeners into one of her favorite stages in Erikson’s eight-stage model: Stage 3, which focuses on children aged 3 to 5. This is the stage of initiative versus guilt, a time when little ones are beginning to assert their independence and explore the world in new and exciting ways. Brenda reframes the concept of “initiative” into something easier to grasp. It’...

Brenda introduces Erikson’s second stage of development, Autonomy vs. Shame, and highlights the importance of supporting a child’s growing sense of independence. Occurring between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, this stage is a pivotal time when toddlers begin to explore their abilities and assert their own choices.    At this stage, children are just beginning to understand that they are separ...

In today’s episode, Brenda introduces Erikson’s first stage of development, Trust vs. Mistrust, and explores how to understand a child’s world beyond direct questions. This foundational stage, typically ranging from 0-18 months old, lays the groundwork for their entire emotional and cognitive development, making it essential to tune into behaviors and subtle cues rather than relying on verbal answ...

In today's episode, Brenda shares her experience working with children in therapy and how understanding child development can make therapy more effective. Measuring progress with kids can be tricky, as they often can’t express how they feel or recognize changes. What may look like simple play can actually be therapeutic when approached with the right understanding of where the child is development...

This week, Brenda brings listeners into a research-based episode to explore the fascinating concept of social learning and emotional transference, touching on the profound ways these ideas shape our understanding of human and animal behavior.  Social learning—learning through observation—goes beyond simple imitation. It's about how we absorb emotions, behaviors, and intentions from those around us...

Animals have a unique ability to signal non-verbally, reflecting our internal emotional states. By learning to interpret these signals, therapists can enhance their effectiveness and deepen their understanding of clients.    In today’s episode Brenda highlights transference—the phenomenon where feelings about one person are unconsciously redirected to another. This is especially relevant in therap...

In today’s episode, Brenda dives into two compelling areas of therapy: the role of projections and non-verbal communication, and the evolving field of animal-assisted therapy. This dual focus provides valuable insights into how therapists can better understand and diagnose their patients. Brenda starts by exploring projections—those non-verbal behaviors that reveal underlying thoughts, feelings, a...

Projections are a powerful dynamic in therapy, revealing the hidden emotions and thoughts that children might not even be aware they're expressing. While much attention is given to positive projections, today, Brenda is shifting the focus to the negative ones. Negative projections are spontaneous and often unconscious, making them challenging to recognize and address. They can show up as statement...

Brenda has introduced us to the concept of projections, both positive and negative, and how they appear in our interactions with clients. These projections, especially the positive ones, can be subtle and challenging to identify, yet they play a crucial role in the therapeutic process.   Today, Brenda is focusing on positive projections and how they might show up when working with child clients. T...

Children often project their feelings, both positive and negative, onto others as a way to express emotions they cannot fully articulate. These projections are a normal part of development and can provide valuable insights into a child's inner world. In today’s exploration episode, Brenda shares her findings from her research project on how the children in her study made both positive and negative...

The first interaction with a horse can be a profound and eye-opening experience. In today’s episode Brenda brings listeners into an exploration of observing the eye contact of the participant during Equine-Assisted Services.  These interactions with horses are known for their therapeutic benefits.   Brenda provides listeners with strategies to enhance the treatment’s effectiveness by analyzing the...

Effective communication is at the heart of successful interactions, whether you are a therapist, teacher, or anyone aiming to improve their relational skills. One often overlooked yet vital aspect of communication is eye contact. Understanding and recognizing eye contact patterns can significantly enhance your ability to connect with others, particularly in a therapeutic setting.   For mental heal...

Eye contact is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, conveying emotions, intentions, and levels of engagement. Various studies have explored its significance, revealing how direct gazes can establish trust, convey confidence, and facilitate deeper connections.   In today’s episode Brenda continues her discussion on eye contact and how it appears in research, especially in relation to horses....

Eye contact plays a crucial role in communication and mental health. It can build connections, enhance understanding, and foster trust. However, making eye contact can be challenging for some individuals.   In today’s episode, Brenda explores the importance of eye contact in therapy and shares practical interventions to help increase eye contact, drawing inspiration from the natural world and play...

Most of us would agree that eye contact is important. It's a fundamental aspect of communication, a silent language that conveys understanding, empathy, and connection. But how often do we truly think about its significance beyond the surface level?  In today’s episode Brenda shines a spotlight on the often underestimated yet crucial element of human interaction: eye contact. In therapy, the abili...

In life we often find ourselves facing projections—visions of our future selves, our desires, fears, and aspirations. These projections can guide our actions and decisions, but they can also hinder our growth if left unexamined. Understanding and intervening with these projections is key to navigating the complexities of life's various stages.    In today’s episode, Brenda unpacks Erikson’s develo...

In today's episode, Brenda delves into the concept of projections. Projections, both positive and negative, play a significant role in our interactions, shaping our perceptions and relationships. Brenda guides listeners through the process of identifying positive projections, offering concrete examples and practical insights to integrate into your therapy practices.   Drawing from her own experien...

In today’s episode, Brenda offers listeners a deeper insight into her research study, focusing on the behaviors she observed and scored, as well as the hypotheses she formulated and their unexpected outcomes. Listen in as she guides listeners through an overview of the behaviors and how she specifically chose them to be represented in her study.   Her study, inspired by the principles of the Stran...

In today’s episode Brenda delves deeper into the setup of her study, shedding light on the profound influence of attachment theory and how it shaped her research. Join her as she uncovers the intricacies of two influential assessments in the field of attachment theory and explores their impact on her research study.   Brenda begins by discussing the renowned work of Mary Ainsworth, a pioneer in at...

In today’s episode Brenda provides listeners with an insightful overview of her research project. She introduces the comprehensive journey through her own research beginning with the foundational aspects and progressing through the details of attachment theory, animal-assisted therapy, and the biological framework of empathy.   Brenda provides listeners with the foundational aspects of her study,...