The Whole Therapist Silence in Session with Clients
May 25, 2021
Explore the power of silence in therapy sessions as the hosts delve into why it’s often uncomfortable yet needed. They discuss safe stillness versus disconnected silence, and how meaningful pauses can foster connection. Learn about rituals like singing bowls that help transition into silence and the importance of reassuring clients during these moments. Tips on practicing presence, monitoring for dissociation, and incorporating somatic tools in both in-person and telehealth settings are also shared. Silence, they argue, can be a profound therapeutic tool.
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Silence As Perceptual Ground
- Silence creates a perceptual ground where new things can emerge, like the blank before a poem.
- Michael Hamm frames silence as necessary to access that emergent space in bodywork and therapy.
Practice Relaxing Into Silence
- Practice relaxing into silence rather than forcing quietness to appear competent.
- Use 'safe stillness' and resource work to make silence tolerable for trauma survivors.
Rituals Signal Safe Silence
- Meaningful silence trumps meaningless words and helps create safety in sessions.
- Rituals like a singing bowl can cue transition and invite clients into silence safely.