New Harbinger Publications Inc. Logo
Off the Couch - The Latest in Psychology and Mental Health
Syndicate  

Current Articles | Categories | Search | Syndication

Friday, May 13, 2011
when clients shut down in therapy sessions

:: 0 Comments :: Article Rating :: ACT/ acceptance and commitment therapy, quick tips, professionals
 

Clients may become withdrawn or shut down in session when talking about difficult topics or encountering painful emotions. This may be due to fear of evaluation, thoughts about judgment, or just a simple desire to escape painful experience. These situations can be difficult for the therapist and sometimes end in awkward attempts to get the client re-engaged, including moving away from the difficult topic or pursuing the client with questions about why they have withdrawn. These actions can actually reinforce the shutting down.


Quick Tips for Therapists.


Robyn Walser, PhD is the co-author of Learning ACT, ACT for PTSD and The Mindful Couple .

Posted By / 10:06 AM / Friday, May 13, 2011
Comments
Currently, there are no comments. Be the first to post one!
You must be logged in to post a comment. You can login here

books recently featured on our blog

Wisdom to Know the Difference Naked Foods Cookbook Stress Response Real Food All Year Eating Mindfully 2nd ed.

Twitter

Facebook

YouTube

NH Authors on Psychology Today


Susan Albers, PsyD
"Comfort Cravings"

 
Ronald Alexander, PhD
"The Wise Mind Open Mind"

 
Susan Bauer-Wu
"Living Fully & Letting Go"

 
Stanley H. Block, MD
"Come To Your Senses"

 
Raychelle Cassada Lohmann, MS, LPC
"Teen Angst"

 
Elliot D. Cohen PhD
"What Would Aristotle Do?"

 
Carolyn Coker Ross, MD, MPH
"Real Healing"

 
Troy DuFrene
"Fumbling for Change"


Russ Federman, PhD, ABPP
"Bipolar You"

 
Lisa Firestone, PhD
"Compassion Matters"

 
Robert Firestone, PhD
"The Human Experience"

 
John P. Forsyth, PhD
"Peace of Mind"

 
Paul Gilbert, PhD
"Practice Compassion"

 
Barton Goldsmith, PhD
"Emotional Fitness"

 
Ken Goss, DClinPsy
"Practice Compassion"

 
Randi Gunther, PhD
"Rediscovering Love"

 
Karyn Hall, PhD
"Pieces of Mind"


Rick Hanson, PhD
"Your Wise Brain"

 
Russ Harris, MD
"The Happiness Trap"

 
Steven C. Hayes, PhD
"Get Out of Your Mind"

 
Lynne Henderson, PhD
"Practice Compassion"

 
Lara Honos-Webb, PhD
"The Gift of ADHD"

 
Jonathan Kaplan, PhD
"Urban Mindfulness"

 
Melissa Kirk
"Test Case"

 
Bill Knaus, EdD
"Science and Sensibility"

 
Randi Kreger
"Stop Walking on Eggshells"

 
Marilyn Krieger, PhD
"The White Knight Syndrome"

 
Mary Lamia, PhD
"The White Knight Syndrome"

 
Karen Leland
"The Perfect Blend"

 
Barbara Markway, PhD
"Shyness Is Nice"

 
Kelly McGonigal, PhD
"The Science of Willpower"

 
Susan Pease Gadoua, LCSW
"Contemplating Divorce"

 
Stephanie Sarkis, PhD
"Here, There, and Everywhere"

 
Jefferson Singer, PhD
"Life Scripts"

 
Shawn Smith
"Ironshrink"

 
Olga Trujillo, JD
"The Sum of My Parts"

 
Cassandra Vieten, PhD
"Mindful Motherhood"

 
Ruth C. White, PhD
"Culture in Mind"