The Science of Psychotherapy In conversation with Niall Geoghegan
Jul 25, 2025
Niall Geoghegan, author and curator of experiential-psychotherapies.com, dives into his book on experiential therapy for trauma treatment, outlining 15 distinct therapeutic approaches. He emphasizes engaging the emotional brain and the importance of a collaborative therapist stance. Niall also discusses the risks of strict allegiance to one therapeutic school and how integrating new techniques can enrich practice. The conversation wraps up with details on a webinar series aiming to build community and offer continued education for practitioners.
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Accessing The Emotional Brain
- Experiential therapies move clients out of 'talk-about' mode into emotional, embodied experience using prompts like imagery, movement, or art.
- Niall says this accesses core meanings held in the emotional brain and nervous system beyond the prefrontal cortex.
Phenomenological In-The-Moment Focus
- Experiential work adopts a phenomenological, in-the-moment stance, prioritizing 'what are you experiencing now' over historical talk.
- Niall argues that focusing on present subjective experience reveals implicit meanings and triggers therapeutic shifts.
Collaborative Therapeutic Stance
- Experiential therapists collaborate rather than adopt an expert, directive stance, exploring surprises with clients.
- This co-exploratory stance invites discoveries rather than steering toward predetermined outcomes.
