Connection Therapy

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 developmentally.

Brenda takes a developmental approach, emphasizing that emotional and psychological growth in children isn’t as easily defined as physical growth. Trauma can disrupt development, so it’s crucial to observe behaviors within the context of the child’s age and experiences.

Brenda walks listeners through Erik Erikson’s eight-stage model of psychological development, explaining how these stages offer a roadmap for understanding where children should be emotionally and psychologically at different ages. By using this model, Brenda helps ensure that therapy stays aligned with a child’s needs and developmental goals, offering a framework for both parents and therapists to understand progress more clearly.

Through these models therapists can help children grow emotionally and mentally at their own pace, ensuring therapy truly supports their long-term well-being.

References Mentioned in this Episode:

Anna Freud. (1946). The Psycho-Analytical Treatment of Children. New York, NY: International Univ. Press.

Erik Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development referenced in Freud and Beyond: A History of Modern Psychoanalytic Thought by Mitchell & Black (1995)

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. Through Brenda’s discussion, she takes a closer look at how infants can even recognize the reliability of adults, how emotions are transferred among animals and humans, and how these insights open up new questions about emotional bonds and relationships.

This research is a powerful reminder of the importance of practices like play intervention therapy and animal-assisted therapy. Play therapy allows children to express their emotions in a safe, controlled environment, helping them learn to identify their feelings, understand the behaviors of others, and develop crucial social and emotional skills. 

Animal-assisted therapy, on the other hand, taps into the deep, universal bond between animals and humans. Animals can help children recognize and respond to emotional cues, teaching empathy, emotional regulation, and connection in ways that words alone often can’t.

As Brenda brings listeners into these ideas, she leaves us with bigger questions: What are we truly picking up from others? How do we interpret the emotional signals and behaviors we see? Through understanding social learning and emotional transference, we can become more mindful of our actions, emotions, and how others are learning from us.

And with animal-assisted therapy, there is so much more to uncover about how these emotional connections can shape healing, growth, and deeper understanding in therapeutic settings.

References Mentioned in this Episode:

Aronson, E. (2004). The Social animal (9th ed.). Worth Publishers.

Lingiardi, V. & McWilliams, N., (Eds.). (2017). Psychodynamic diagnostic manual (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.

Poulin-Dubois, D., & Brosseau-Liard, P. (2016). The Developmental Origins of Selective Social Learning. Current directions in psychological science, 25(1), 60–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721415613962

Trösch, M., Pellon, S., Cuzol, F. et al. Horses feel emotions when they watch positive and negative horse–human interactions in a video and transpose what they saw to real life. Anim Cogn 23, 643–653 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-020-01369-0

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 therapy settings, where non-verbal cues can reveal much about a client's emotional landscape.

Understanding transference is crucial for therapists. For instance, when a child enters a therapy session, their emotional state can be influenced by their surroundings. If the waiting area feels unsafe, the child may carry anxiety and fear into the session, which can be reflected in their body language and facial expressions.

Brenda notes that these emotions can create a feeling tone that transfers across the room. A child might perceive an adult as threatening simply due to a misread of non-verbal cues. In this way, the child’s relational patterns—shaped by previous experiences—can impact their current interactions.

Brenda emphasizes that animals help illuminate these non-verbal patterns of relationships. Animals play a critical role in enhancing our understanding of transference. By observing the interactions between children and therapy animals, we can uncover important emotional patterns and relational dynamics. 

Incorporating animals into therapeutic settings offers a powerful way to explore emotional states and non-verbal communication. As we learn to interpret these interactions, we pave the way for deeper understanding and healing. 

Connect with Brenda with the link below

www.connectiontherapypodcast.com

Follow Brenda on Instagram @theconnectiontherapypodcast

References Mentioned in this Episode:

Jung, C.G. (1989). Memories, dreams, reflections. (A. Jaffé, Ed., R. & C. Winston, Trans.). New York, NY: Vintage Books. (Original work published 1963). p. 212.

Jung, C. G. (1985). The Practice of psychotherapy (H. Read et al., Eds.), The collected works of C. G. Jung (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.) (Vol. 16). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. (Original work published 1929). p. 61.

McWilliams, N. (1999). Psychoanalytic case formulation.  Guilford Press. P. 106.

Panksepp, J. (2009). Brain emotional systems and qualities of mental life: From animal models of affect to implications for psychotherapeutics. In D. Fosha, D. J., Siegel, & M. F. Solomon (Eds.), The healing power of emotion: Affective neuroscience, development & clinical practice (pp. 1-26). New York, NY: Norton.

Stephen Porges (2011). Polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation.  pp. 12-17. 

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, and experiences. In therapy, understanding these projections is crucial. They often manifest as subtle cues, like body language or facial expressions, that can provide a window into a patient’s emotional state.

Brenda reminds listeners of the importance of deciphering non-verbal communication patterns. By learning to read these patterns, therapists can gain a deeper understanding of their patients.

Brenda also highlights the growing field of animal-assisted therapy and she explains how AAT can offer diagnostic insights that traditional methods might miss. Today’s episode emphasizes the benefits of combining projections, non-verbal communication, and animal-assisted therapy to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Connect with Brenda with the link below

www.connectiontherapypodcast.com

Follow Brenda on Instagram @theconnectiontherapypodcast

References Mentioned in this Episode:

Jaak Panksepp & Lucy Biven. (2012). The Archaeology of Mind: Neuroevolutionary Origins of Human Emotions (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) 1st Edition.  W. W. Norton & Company.

Smith AV, Proops L, Grounds K, Wathan J, McComb K. (2016) “Functionally relevant responses to human facial expressions of emotion in the domestic horse (Equus caballus)”. Biol Lett. Feb;12(2):20150907. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0907

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 statements or behaviors that feel like a blow, not because they are intended to hurt. 

In therapy, negative projections might emerge when a child expresses something that feels critical or hurtful. For example, a child might say something that seems accusatory or dismissive. It's important to remember that these statements are not meant to be negative or offensive—they are a reflection of the child's current emotional state and their attempt to make sense of their world.

Brenda emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between what belongs to us and what is being projected onto us by the child. This distinction is crucial in building empathy, as it allows us to understand that the child is not attacking us personally, but rather expressing their struggles in the only way they know how.

It's essential to create a safe space where the child feels comfortable exploring their feelings, even the difficult ones.By approaching these projections with empathy and a genuine desire to understand, we can help children navigate their emotions and improve their social interactions. 

Brenda’s insights remind us that these projections are not personal attacks, but rather unconscious expressions of a child’s inner world—expressions that, when understood and addressed, can lead to significant therapeutic progress.

Connect with Brenda with the link below

www.connectiontherapypodcast.com

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. These projections are often disguised as compliments or statements that might seem insignificant at first glance but carry deeper meaning. They can be hard to spot because they blend in with everyday conversation. 

For example, you might hear a child say something like, “You’re really good at drawing,” or “I wish I could be as smart as you.” While these statements seem innocent, they might actually be projections of the child’s own desires, aspirations, or unmet needs. 

When you notice a child client making a positive projection, the first step is to acknowledge it. But don’t stop there—use this as an opportunity to explore what the child might be projecting. 

Positive projections provide a valuable opportunity to help children develop empathy and self-awareness. By guiding them to explore why they admire certain traits in others, you’re helping them understand their own feelings and how they relate to others.

By intervening, you help the child bring these thoughts to the surface. This awareness allows them to accelerate their personal growth, as they begin to recognize and articulate their own dreams and aspirations. 

It’s a process that transforms a simple statement into a powerful tool for self-discovery and social development. Positive projections, though harder to spot, offer valuable opportunities for therapeutic growth

Connect with Brenda with the link below

www.connectiontherapypodcast.com

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 projections. Understanding these projections can greatly enhance therapeutic practices. Through her study, Brenda has learned to use projections reflectively, which has significantly informed how she now practices therapy.

Brenda shares concrete examples from sessions with a child she calls “Nadine.” Over several sessions, Brenda observed how projections played out. In Session 3, Nadine said, "Please don't leave me, Maddie." This was a significant projection of her fear of abandonment. Later, Nadine expressed, "I think she is sad because she is going to leave me." This projection was her way of processing her feelings about goodbyes, transferring her emotions onto another.

Reflecting back on these projections is crucial. By narrating what happened in the moment, therapists can help clients understand and moderate their emotions. Understanding and working with projections is an ongoing learning process. Through her research and practical application, Brenda saw how valuable it is to recognize and reflect on these projections in therapy.

This approach not only helps clients understand their emotions but also fosters a supportive environment where they can grow and thrive. By integrating these reflective practices, therapists can help clients navigate their emotions more effectively, ultimately leading to better therapeutic outcomes.

Connect with Brenda: https://connection-therapy.com/podcast

References Mentioned in this Episode:

Nancy McWilliams. (2020). Psychoanalytic Diagnosis: Understanding Personality Structure in the Clinical Process.

Brenda Murrow, (2013) A Quantitative exploration into the effects of the human and animal connection.  (Doctoral dissertation).  Pacifica Graduate Institute.

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 participant’s behaviors during the interaction when meeting the horse. She explains how these behaviors can inform the treatment plan and offer insight into how therapists can can observe and interpret the participant’s eye movements during interactions with the horse, 

Brenda examines human eye contact patterns and compares them with the eye contact preferences of different species, including horses. Recognizing and respecting the needs and preferences of animals in therapy is crucial.

Brenda emphasizes that investigating the eye movement patterns of both human participants and horses, as well as their interactions can significantly enhance the effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy. This episode aims to foster a deeper connection and achieve more successful therapeutic outcomes through a better understanding of these dynamics. 

References Mentioned in this Episode:

Marc Bekoff Animal Passions and Beastly Virtues: Reflections on Redecorating Nature (2006). Temple University Press, Philadelphia.

Rebecca Giggs, “Fathoms: The World in the Whale” quoted in “The Eye of the Whale” by Katarzyna Boni, 2023 Runner Up for Public Discourse Award, retrieved from

https://www.europeanpressprize.com/article/the-eye-of-the-whale/

Dr. Jane Goodall

https://janegoodall.org/

Jane Goodall. (1999). Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey.  

Mott, R., Hawthorne, S., & McBride, S. (2020).  “Blink rate as a measure of stress and attention in the domestic horse (Equus caballus).” Sci Rep 10, 21409. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78386-z 

Gary Karasik, “A Whale Watching” in the Los Angeles Times.  August 10, 1986.

Jaak Panksepp & Lucy Biven. (2012). The Archaeology of Mind: Neuroevolutionary Origins of Human Emotions (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) 1st Edition.  W. W. Norton & Company.

Smith AV, Proops L, Grounds K, Wathan J, McComb K. (2016) “Functionally relevant responses to human facial expressions of emotion in the domestic horse (Equus caballus)”. Biol Lett. Feb;12(2):20150907. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0907

Strange Situation and the Adult Attachment Interview

https://mainattachment.org/

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 health providers, observing eye contact is not just about noticing where someone is looking, it's about understanding what their gaze patterns reveal about their need for support and connection.

In today’s episode Brenda helps listeners in recognizing these patterns to help you to tailor your interventions more effectively.

Intervening at the right time is crucial for effective communication and support. Here are some guidelines on when to intervene based on eye contact:

1. Unexpected Situations: During unexpected or challenging situations, observe if the person looks to you for reassurance. This is an opportune moment to intervene, as it shows they trust you to help them navigate the situation.
2. During Distress: If you notice increased blink rates or downward gazes, it may indicate that the person is experiencing stress or discomfort. 

To raise the effectiveness of your interventions, start by observing and responding to eye contact patterns. This approach helps you to gauge the emotional state of your patients to build stronger connections, and tailor your interventions appropriately. 

Recognizing and understanding eye contact patterns can significantly enhance your ability to communicate and intervene effectively. By building trust, observing cues, and timing your interventions appropriately, you can support your patients more effectively, leading to better outcomes in your interactions.

Connect with Brenda with the link below

www.connectiontherapypodcast.com

References Mentioned in this Episode:

Mott, R., Hawthorne, S., & McBride, S. (2020).  “Blink rate as a measure of stress and attention in the domestic horse (Equus caballus).” Sci Rep 10, 21409. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78386-z 

Brenda Murrow, (2013) A Quantitative exploration into the effects of the human and animal connection.  (Doctoral dissertation).  Pacifica Graduate Institute.

Stephen Porges (2011). Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation.

Dan Siegel, https://drdansiegel.com/

Smith AV, Proops L, Grounds K, Wathan J, McComb K. (2016) “Functionally relevant responses to human facial expressions of emotion in the domestic horse (Equus caballus)”. Biol Lett. Feb;12(2):20150907. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0907

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. Understanding eye contact and gazing, not just in humans but in animals like horses, offers a fascinating perspective on emotional communication and stress responses.

One specific area of interest is the blink rate in domestic horses. Studies have shown that blinking increases in horses as they experience stress, a response that is likely similar to humans. When humans are stressed, their blink rate often increases, reflecting heightened anxiety or tension.

How does this research on gazes and blink rates in horses relate to effective therapy? The key lies in the ability to determine the best moments for therapeutic interventions. Just as horses may feel stressed or relaxed based on their blink rate and eye contact, clients in therapy also exhibit non-verbal cues that can indicate their emotional state.

By integrating this knowledge, therapists can enhance their ability to read non-verbal cues, creating more effective and empathetic therapeutic interventions. As Brenda continues her exploration, the connection between research and practice becomes increasingly clear, offering new pathways to understanding and supporting both human and animal emotional well-being.

Connect with Brenda with the link below

www.connectiontherapypodcast.com

References Mentioned in this Episode:

Paul Ekman, Facial Action Coding System (FACS) https://www.paulekman.com/facial-action-coding-system/

Mott, R., Hawthorne, S., & McBride, S. (2020).  “Blink rate as a measure of stress and attention in the domestic horse (Equus caballus).” Sci Rep 10, 21409. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-78386-z 

Brenda Murrow, (2013) A Quantitative exploration into the effects of the human and animal connection.  (Doctoral dissertation).  Pacifica Graduate Institute.

Stephen Porges (2011). Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation.

Bessel Van der Kolk (2015). The Body Keeps the Score. 

Smith AV, Proops L, Grounds K, Wathan J, McComb K. (2016) “Functionally relevant responses to human facial expressions of emotion in the domestic horse (Equus caballus)”. Biol Lett. Feb;12(2):20150907. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2015.0907