The Whole Therapist Maintaining Differentiation with Our Clients
Sep 14, 2021
Abby and Kellee delve into the concept of differentiation in therapy. They discuss how to connect with clients' pain without becoming engulfed by it. The podcast highlights the idea of growth occurring at the 'edge,' where transformation happens. Key metaphors, like the baby elephant, illustrate the importance of client agency. They explore therapist needs, enmeshment signs, and offer grounding mantras to maintain boundaries. Listeners gain practical imagery to balance connection and detachment during sessions.
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Elephant In The Hole Metaphor
- A therapist shared a metaphor of a baby elephant trapped in a hole that stepped on dirt as helpers filled it and eventually escaped.
- Abby and Kellee used the metaphor to emphasize client agency: relationships wound clients but also help heal them.
Growth Happens At The Edge
- Life and growth happen at the edge where two systems meet, not in the middle of sameness.
- Abby cites Sharon Blackie's "edge effect" to show edges foster diversity, creativity, and healing.
Stay At The Edge In Sessions
- Approach a client's heightened emotion by going to the edge without merging into their pain.
- Maintain one foot in and one foot out to allow co-regulation and learning in the "space between."
