Trish Kruger is a duo-licensed professional counselor and clinical addiction therapist. Trained in trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing, Trish believes in the value of talk therapy, mindfulness, and expressive arts which she includes in her practice. She completed her graduate degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Western Carolina University and currently works at Blue Ridge Treks, a community of mental health therapists in Asheville, North Carolina.

 

In today’s episode, Trish and I share stories from our professional and personal lives regarding the power and effect of words. We illustrate how our central nervous system responds to the words we use and receive. We explain how a slight change in the words we use can create belief systems and open us up to new possibilities. We also discuss the different challenges the younger generation faces and how self-compassion, compounded with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy techniques, can help them.

 

 “Every belief started as an experience. We begin telling ourselves a story. As that story gets rooted deeper in our brain, we develop a pattern.” - Trish Kruger

 

This week on Relationships! Let’s Talk About It:

• Our experiences with growing up with sarcasm
• How Trish’s son teaches her about the power of words
• How words and affirmations create belief systems
• How our physiology responds to thoughts
• How the central nervous system responds to the words we receive
• The four steps of classical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• The importance of self-compassion and how CBT skips over the self-compassion stage
• The power of words of affirmation and visualization and how the central nervous system responds to them
• How to use reframing techniques to improve relationships
• Why the word “should” is a violent word and a constructive alternative to replace it
• Working with the unique challenges that the younger generations face
• Why parents need to learn to say ‘I’m sorry’
• The difference between apologizing and making amends
• The brain science behind the power of gratitude
• Using breath to bring awareness over the words we use

 

Resources Mentioned:

• The Art of Apology
• Self-Compassion Can Improve Your Relationships

 

 

Connect with Trish Kruger:

• Blue Ridge Treks
• Blue Ridge Treks on Twitter
• Blue Ridge Treks on Facebook
• Blue Ridge Treks on LinkedIn
• Trish Kruger on Facebook

 

Let’s Talk About It!

 

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Theme music “These Streets” provided by Adi the Monk