In this episode, I discuss common fears and uncertainties therapists face when integrating yoga into their clinical practice. I will offer practical advice on how to integrate trauma-informed yoga practices into sessions confidently and ethically, even without extensive yoga training. I will go over simple practices like breath awareness and grounding which can significantly enhance emotional and nervous system regulation for clients. I also discuss ways to introduce yoga to clients, whether in-person or via telehealth, the importance of informed consent, and client safety.

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald, LCMHCS

Trauma-Informed Yoga for Therapists: A Practical Approach

"Teaching clients to be more self-aware, aware of their thoughts, their energy levels, where are they in this room, this moment? Those simple questions can help bring awareness, which is yoga practices.”

• Understanding therapist's hesitations
• Normalizing fears and building confidence
• Practical yoga integration techniques
• Ethical considerations and informed consent
• Building confidence through practice

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

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In this episode, we discuss how to harness anger in a healthy and embodied way through yoga. We will look at various techniques using movement, breath, and sound to express and release anger. This episode includes a guided practice to help therapists introduce these methods to their clients and understand their own emotional regulation. We will also look at the cultural and social barriers to expressing anger, and the importance of recognizing anger as an energy that needs to be acknowledged and processed.

Episode 122 What Is Grief Yoga? | How To Use It In Sessions Today: Interview with Paul Denniston

Trauma-Informed Yoga for Therapists: A Practical Approach

" When we allow anger to move through us, we create space for clarity, relief, and balance. We restore balance in our nervous system, freeing up energy that was once trapped in frustration or tension." -Chris McDonald

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald, LCMHCS

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

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In this episode, we explore Thought Field Therapy (TFT) and its applications for first responders experiencing chronic stress. Guest Robert Bray, a traumatic stress recovery expert, joins us to discuss his extensive experience and the efficacy of TFT, a technique that alleviates negative emotions by stimulating meridian treatment points. We discuss combining TFT with parts work and yoga to help clients manage anxiety, regulate their nervous systems, and build resilience. Robert outlines how TFT can be integrated with other therapies, offering practical advice and methods to bring yoga into therapy sessions effectively.

MEET Robert Bray

Robert L. Bray, Ph.D., LCSW has worked in the field of traumatic stress recovery for over 40 years. Beginning as a volunteer on a crisis hotline and throughout his professional career, he has always focused on the impact of traumatic stress on the mental and physical health of individuals, families, and communities. Dr. Bray has extensive experience as a clinician helping in recovery from natural disasters, criminal acts, and domestic violence of all types. He has been training, writing, and developing Thought Field Therapy since 1996. Dr. Bray’s book “Heal Traumatic Stress NOW: Complete Recovery with Thought Field Therapy – No Open Wounds” provides a consumer-friendly self-help guide to anyone struggling with overwhelming stress. He is also an approved ICISF trainer. https://rlbray.com/

Find out more at Thought Field Therapy Center and connect with Robert on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube

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• Understanding Thought Field Therapy
• Live Demonstration of TFT
• Memory Consolidation and Trauma Response
• Memory Reconsolidation Techniques
• Understanding Trauma in First Responders
• Inner Child Work and Tapping
• Yoga and Tapping Integration

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the...

In this episode, we explore the vital concept of self-compassion, specifically tailored for therapists. Learn about why self-compassion prevents burnout and compassion fatigue, backed by research studies from pioneers like Kristen Neff and Mark Leary. Discover simple, practical yoga-based self-compassion exercises to integrate into both personal self-care routines and therapy sessions with clients.

"The more we do these, the more we are changing our neural pathways to move towards more self-compassion. It's going to take some time, so give yourself grace.”

• The Importance of Self-Compassion for Therapists
• Defining Self-Compassion
• Self-Compassion Practices for Therapists
• Self-Compassion Exercises

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald, LCMHCS

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

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In this episode, we explore the integration of polyvagal theory with yoga practices to enhance therapeutic approaches. Joined by Dr. Arielle Schwartz, a recognized expert in trauma-informed care, the discussion delves into the benefits of combining gentle yoga movements, breathwork, and mindfulness to help clients achieve safety, connection, and calm. Dr. Schwartz shares her journey into yoga and polyvagal theory, its application in therapy, and practical tools for therapists to incorporate these practices safely and ethically.

MEET Dr. Arielle Schwartz

Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT, is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified complex trauma professional, EMDR Consultant, and Kripalu yoga teacher. She is an internationally sought-out speaker, a leading voice in the field of trauma recovery, and the author of eight books including The Complex PTSD Workbook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook, and Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga. As the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy, she offers an integrative, mind-body approach to therapy that includes relational therapy, somatic psychology, EMDR Therapy, parts-work therapy, and therapeutic yoga for trauma. She specializes in applied polyvagal theory which focuses on addressing imbalances within the autonomic nervous system that underlie most mental and physical health conditions. Dr. Schwartz provides informational mental health and wellness updates through her writing, public speaking, social media presence, and blog. She believes that the journey of trauma recovery is an awakening of the spiritual heart. Learn more at www.drarielleschwartz.com and www.resilienceinformedtherapy.com

Find out more at Dr. Arielle Schwartz and Center for Resilience Informed Therapy®

2-Day: Transform Trauma Recovery with Polyvagal Theory: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Certification Training

Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery Flip Chart: A Psychoeducational Tool for Embodied Healing through the Lens of Applied Polyvagal Theory

• Exploring Polyvagal Theory and Yoga
• Daily Yoga Practices and Polyvagal Theory
• Phases of Trauma Recovery
• Mindful Mobilization and Sympathetic Nervous System
• Client-Centered Approach in Therapy
• Ethical Considerations in Therapeutic Practices

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In this episode, we discuss the art of helping clients navigate physical discomfort safely and effectively. We look at the practice of titration, a technique to manage challenging body sensations without overwhelming clients. Annabelle shares her journey into yoga and somatic practices, insights on recognizing signs of dysregulation, and practical yoga-based techniques for fostering body awareness and resilience. We also discuss trauma-informed care, the importance of play and creativity in therapy, and offer a grounding orientation practice to connect with one's surroundings. We look at valuable tools for therapists interested in integrating somatic approaches and yoga into their practice, ensuring safe and transformative client experiences.

MEET Annabelle Coote

Annabelle Coote is a seasoned somatic therapist who loves weaving together the art and science of therapy. She helps both clients and therapists discover the joy and fulfillment of creative and experiential work. A licensed mental health therapist, board-certified dance/movement therapist, and certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, she is the founder of Movement Matters Integrative Psychotherapy. Annabelle is the author of book chapters on depression, trauma, and telehealth and is a frequent presenter at conferences and summits. She offers individual and group consultation to help therapists integrate somatic approaches in their work. Her interests include mindfulness, neurobiology, trauma, anxiety, women’s issues, life transitions, cultivating creativity, and therapist resilience. She is known for her humor, quirky metaphors, spontaneous creativity, kind compassion, and the conviction that profound transformation happens in very tiny steps.

Find out more at Somatic Matters and connect with Annabelle on TikTok

• Understanding Titration in Therapy
• Challenges of Body Discomfort in Therapy
• Trauma-Informed Somatic Practices
• Practical Techniques for Managing Discomfort
• Titration in Yoga Practices
• Handling Overwhelm and Sensation in Clients

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald,...

In today’s,” Yoga Snack,” I will guide listeners through a simple mindfulness meditation practice. Designed to help therapists integrate yoga into their practice and enhance self-care, this episode offers valuable insights into the benefits of mindfulness meditation, practical tips for staying present, and a guided meditation that can be easily incorporated into daily routines.

" It is the practice of bringing your attention to the present moment and bringing a sense of curiosity, of wonder into the moment without judging yourself." -Chris McDonald

Instagram: @chris_mcdonald58

Facebook: Yoga In The Therapy Podcast

Join the private Facebook Group: Bringing Yoga Into the Therapy Room

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Holistic Mindful Check-Ins by Chris McDonald, LCMHCS

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

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In this episode, We explore how integrating joy and yoga into therapy sessions can enhance attunement with clients. Terry shares her yoga journey and provides practical, simple yoga movements and practices to help therapists and clients access joy, reduce stress, and promote connection and vitality. The episode also focuses on gentle yoga, the importance of service, gratitude, play, and rest, and a discussion on laughter yoga and playful movement exercises.

MEET Terry Littlefield

Terry is the creator of Postures Breath & Joy. Her mission is to help people, especially those of us mid-century and beyond, get moving, get breathing, and get to know and share joy on the regular. She teaches with heart and humor and endless hours of education. Terry is a lifelong learner. She believes laughter is the best medicine and an essential part of any movement practice. Her classes blend science and spirit, breath work and belly laughs, movement and breath work/meditation. She began studying/practicing yoga in 2003 and hasn't looked back, She is an E-RYT-500 yoga teacher; Level 1 Girls Gone Strong coach; Trained in Yoga Tune Up, Somatics & Restorative, Laughter Yoga, Reiki, Tapping, and more.

Find out more at Terry Littlefield and connect with Terry on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook

• Discovering Gentle Yoga
• Incorporating Joy and Play
• The Power of Attunement and Laughter Yoga
• Joyful Movement Practices
• Grounding Through Toe Exercises

Instagram: @chris_mcdonald58

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TikTok: @YogaChris58

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

Claim your 30-Day Aura Guest Pass from Chris McDonald