Mastering Therapy

Do you know the basics of polyvagal theory and how you can integrate it into your practice?

This episode is with Dr. Rachel Lee, a clinical psychologist and EMDR consultant. Rachel explores the science behind Polyvagal theory, its relevance in psychotherapy, and practical ways to integrate it into clinical practice. Dr. Rachel shares her journey in understanding Polyvagal Theory, the importance of co-regulation, and how our environment influences our nervous system response. This episode is perfect for therapists looking to enrich their practice with robust, physiological strategies for emotional regulation.

Highlights:

01:10 Understanding Polyvagal theory

06:45 The traffic light model

07:40 Explaining Polyvagal theory to clients

12:55 Practical applications and techniques

30:35 Resources and further learning

** Guest Info **

Connect with Dr Rachel Lee on Linkedin

Download Rachel's polyvagal theory masterclass here

Visit Rachel's website here

Download Rachel's traffic light model here

Resources mentioned:

Our Polyvagal World : Stephen Porges and Seth Porges

Befriending Your Nervous System: Looking Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory - Deborah Dana

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

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Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals. 

Is people pleasing helpful? How do you approach helping someone to understand why they are stuck in that people pleasing cycle?

In this episode, we speak with founder of Thea psychology Dr Hanne Warren. Hanne is a clinical psychologist and specialises in working with women who struggle with issues like people pleasing. Hanne shares her journey from working in the NHS to starting her private practice, focusing on the unique challenges her clients face with people-pleasing behaviours. She shares the importance of diving deep into the roots of people-pleasing, its functions, and the techniques used to help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms. From the downward arrow technique to the importance of self-compassion and body awareness, Hanne provides valuable insights and practical tools .

Highlights of the episode include:

04:02 - The essence of people-pleasing and why it happens

08:10 - Formulating and understanding client histories

15:30 - The downward arrow technique for uncovering core fears

22:45 - Techniques for building self-compassion and body awareness

30:55 - Realising the costs of people-pleasing and making change

Follow Dr Hanne warren on LinkedIn,

Follow @theapsychology on instagram

Visit theapsychology.co.uk for free resources including a fortnightly newsletter with ideas related to how to build self-worth, tackle people-pleasing and self criticism, and how to handle big feelings (sign up via the website).

Other relevant information as mentioned in this episode

Accessible and compassionate ACT training courses via ACTivating Your Practice with Dr Dawn Johnson and Dr Richard Bennett - https://activatingyourpractice.newzenler.com/

Apps:

The Self-Compassion App

Books:

ACT Made Simple - Harris

CFT Made Simple - Kolts

Experiencing Compassion-Focussed Therapy from the Inside Out - Kolts, Bell, Bennett-Levy and Irons 

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals. 

How do you begin your therapy sessions? Do you use specific questions or perhaps an exercise? Do you sit in silence? Do you do the same thing for everyone?

In this episode Dr Natalie Stott invites you reflect on your current session openings . Often overlooked due to routine, how we commence sessions can significantly shape the how the session develops. Drawing insights from a poll conducted among therapists, this episode explores different approaches for making the start of each session impactful and tailored to your client's needs. Natalie breaks the results from the poll into the following sections:

02:12 Self reflection

04:17 Agenda setting

07:08 Client-led beginnings 

11:31 Therapist-led approaches

14:11 Mindfulness openings 

17:48 Creative methods

Consider trying a new technique discussed in this episode and see how it influences your therapy practice.  

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals. 

Good sleep is more than just rest—it’s a foundation for mental health. But what happens when a client’s sleep is affecting their progress, even if they’re not there to address their sleep?

In this episode Dr Natalie Stott speaks with CBT-i trained clinical psychologist, Dr Stuart Sadler. With 10-30% of people experiencing sleep issues, it's crucial to be equipped with how we can support our clients. This episode explores subtle ways to support clients facing sleep struggles without it being their primary focus. They cover the effects of medication on sleep architecture and the importance of prioritising quality over quantity of sleep. The discussion also includes strategies for weaning off sleep medication and small habit changes to improve sleep, despite long-standing issues. While sleep hygiene is commonly known, Dr Sadler highlights alternative tools like sleep diaries to support clients that might be struggling.

01:58 Understanding sleep medicine

04:27 Common sleep issues and their psychological links

09:02 Impact of medication on sleep

14:34 Practical tips for improving sleep

33:15 Additional resources and training

***Guest Info***

Connect with Dr Stuart Sadler on his website https://newcastlepsychologist.co.uk or at https://yorktherapyclinic.co.uk

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals. 

Where do you begin with a client who is grieving? What about if they are experiencing trauma but also grieving? What metaphors do you use to discuss how to make sense of what has happened for your client?

In this episode of the Mastering Therapy Podcast, Dr. Natalie Stott and grief specialist Dr. Monika Wieliczko delve into the complexities of grief. They cover everything from the nuances between grief and complicated grief, to balancing life and mourning. The discussion provides a range of insights and practical strategies for supporting clients navigating loss. 

They discuss innovative tools like the 'grief MOT' and the importance of community resources, and holistic activities in supporting your client through this time. Discover how to approach grief with a trauma-informed lens, understand the impact of attachment styles, and integrate psychoeducation and social support in healing. Filled with metaphors and personal stories, this episode equips therapists and individuals alike with the knowledge to confidently manage grief.

04:25 Understanding the grief cycle

12:50 Identifying complicated grief

17:10 Assessing trauma in grieving clients

23:35 Using analogies and metaphors in therapy

36:16 Creative outlets for grieving

37:01 Conclusion and resources including the grief MOT

***Guest Info***

Connect with Dr Monika Wieliczko on LinkedIn

Download the Grief MOT

Listen to the Guide to after life podcast HERE (a fantastic resource)

• 6th stage: Finding meaning video
• Kubler-Ross Stages of Dying and Subsequent Models of Grief - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals.

How do you approach working with clients that have a strong inner critic?

This episode features an interview with Dr. Chris Irons, one of the leading psychologists within in the compassion focused therapy world. In this episode they explore managing self-criticism and the inner critic through Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). The discussion unveils practical exercises and tools, such as those available on the Balanced Minds website and the self-compassion app.

Key insights include identifying self-critical behaviours, understanding their psychological impacts, and strategies like imagery exercises and compassionate writing to foster self-compassion that can be used with clients.

05:05 Identifying and Addressing self-criticism

08:35 Exploring the Functions of self-criticism

18:22 Visualising the self-critic

22:15 Managing distress during therapeutic exercises

27:42 Exercises to address the self-critic

37:21 Compassionate Mind Training

38:48 Resources and tools for Compassion Focused Therapy

***Guest Info***

Connect with Dr Chris Irons on LinkedIn

Balanced Minds website

Self-Compassion app

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals. 

Hi! Welcome to the Mastering Therapy Podcast with me, Dr. Natalie Stott, Clinical Psychologist.

This is your weekly go to show for psychologists, psychotherapists, and counsellors looking to enhance their therapy skills, gain confidence, and explore diverse therapy methods.

 This trailer highlights some of the upcoming season's topics, such as tackling a strong inner critic, working with the neurodivergent population, managing grief, and helping people getting unstuck from perfectionism and people pleasing behaviours. Qualified guests share their insights, practical strategies, and personal approaches to therapy.

The mastering therapy podcast is free to download and available on your favourite podcast app. Visit masteringtherapy.com for more information. I look forward to you joining me.