By Arthur Becker-Weidman, Ph.D., Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy Topic Expert Contributor

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There are a number of ways to think about Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy. One way is to consider what are the essential components of this evidence-based, effective, and empirically validated treatment, which was developed by Dr. Daniel Hughes. The following list is a listing of what are some of these essential components. Future articles will describe these elements in more detail.

Main Components of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: Read the rest of this entry

By Dr. Joshua M. Simmons, Psy.D., Jungian Psychotherapy Topic Expert Contributor

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Carl Jung once remarked, “I’m glad to be Jung and not a Jungian.” While many might find Jung’s remark curious, upon closer inspection, it’s understandable why he would have made such a comment about his followers and the school of psychology named after him. Defining the practice of Jungian psychotherapy can be as complex as Jung himself. Jung was not concerned about teaching a particular technique; rather, he emphasized the role of the therapist’s person and her relationship with the patient in the therapeutic process. As a result, many would argue that there isn’t a single Jungian way because each practice is largely informed by the therapist themselves and the unique couple they create with each patient.

Jungian institutes are also a testament to the diversity of the Jungian way. Jungian institutes exist throughout the world and each possesses a unique history, character, and training model. There are some schools that emphasize Jung’s classical theories pertaining to the archetypes and some schools that seek to integrate Jung’s teachings with Freud’s psychoanalytic model. Despite these differences, many Jungians typically share certain beliefs in common. Here are a few of them: Read the rest of this entry

By Chris Tickner, MA, MFT, Somatic Psychotherapy Topic Expert Contributor

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There comes a point and time in every growing therapist’s development when they have to let go of all the tools and tricks. They have to trust that what they have learned is now second nature, and rest into the moment, into the relationship with their client. The following story details that moment in my life.

When Tony was just two days old, the Department of Child and Family Services removed him from the care of his mother as she tested positive for cocaine and other substances. He was immediately placed into foster care and into the home of a foster mother with at least four other children. He was removed from that home due to allegations of neglect when he was eleven months, and over the next two years spent time in at least three other foster homes. By the time Tony was three, the impact of multiple placements, neglect, and exposure to drugs when in his mother’s womb was obvious. He would rock himself, bang his head on the wall or headboard of his bed. He was difficult to soothe, oppositional, would have several severe tantrums every day. His caregivers at the time struggled to find ways to control him. Read the rest of this entry

By Michael N. Schneider, Psy.D., Holistic Psychotherapy Topic Expert Contributor

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I am thinking that a good place to start with my initial article on Holistic Psychotherapy is to define this term or label. Just what does “Holistic Psychotherapy” mean?

Let’s begin with psychotherapy. The word is derived from two Greek words: psyche which refers to the soul or the spirit and therapeia which means to care for or to cure. So, quite literally, psychotherapy is an endeavor that involves caring for the soul with the ultimate aim of alleviating suffering. Of course, within this definition, many different theoretical and applied approaches to psychotherapy have been developed such as psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, etc. In the end, all of these approaches can be said to have the same goal involving relief from pain of the psyche with psyche in more modern terms referring to the workings of the mind. Read the rest of this entry

By Christopher Diggins, MA, LMHC, Interpersonal Neurobiology Topic Expert Contributor

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In my first IPNB article two months ago, I went into detail about the significance of starting the therapy with our advertising and our first phone contact, email, or voicemail. Our intentions need to be clear and of the upmost integrity as these greatly influence the client even if they do not attend a session. Our kindness and helpfulness also beneficially impact ourselves.

“Mutual empathy occurs when two people relate to each other in a context of interest in the other, emotional availability and responsiveness, cognitive appreciation of the wholeness of the other, the intent is to understand… Growth occurs because as I stretch to match or understand your experience, something new is acknowledged or grows in me” (p. 89, The Stone Center). Read the rest of this entry