AUTISM IN POLYVAGAL TERMS with Sean Inderbitzen.... Embodied Dialogue Series
‘Trauma Therapist Podcaster:
Life and Work’
with Guy Macpherson,
Ph.D.
Thursday 3pm-4pm ET on February 13, 2025
Free to join, all welcome.
***Please be aware that by participating in these community meetups via Zoom, your image and name may appear online, including in replay recordings and podcasts. Meetup events are livestreamed to social media channels.***
Today, Guy Macpherson and I dive into a heartfelt conversation about the intersections of trauma, therapy, and human presence. Guy shares his transformative journey from being a bullied child to becoming a trauma therapist and starting his renowned Trauma Therapist Podcast. Guy Macpherson’s insights and personal journey provide a meaningful exploration into the delicate balance of knowledge and genuine human interaction essential for effective therapy. We reflect on the transformative power of presence, authenticity, and human connection in healing trauma and the significance of connecting with clients beyond words. We also discuss the evolving trends in therapy, the growing interest in somatics, and the continuing need for genuine human connection. So, grab a cup of tea and join us for this insightful and inspiring dialogue where we explore the heart of healing and the essence of being human.
Timestamped Overview
Coming into the Body with the Clearing Space Backwards Practice [00:00:30]
Clearing Space for Emotional Presence and Finding Calm Within the Body
* Finding Your ‘Okay’ Place
The Journey to Trauma Therapy [00:09:50]
Guy Macpherson shares his personal journey from being bullied as a child to becoming a trauma therapist, emphasizing the influence of personal experiences and the pursuit of understanding trauma.
* Personal experiences can be a powerful catalyst for choosing a career path in trauma therapy.
The Power of Human Connection in Therapy [00:21:26]
Both hosts discuss the importance of human connection over theoretical knowledge in therapeutic practices, quoting Gene Gendlin’s perspective on the primacy of human presence.
* Therapeutic success often relies on the genuine human connection rather than just theoretical knowledge.
Insights from the Trauma Therapist Podcast [00:32:26]
Guy reflects on his experiences interviewing experts in the trauma field and the importance of understanding the humanity behind expertise, as well as sharing struggles and journeys.
* The stories behind the experts provide invaluable insights into their authentic selves and work.
Navigating the Role of Language and Silence in Healing [00:42:37]
A participant poses a thought-provoking question about the role of language in therapy, stimulating a discussion on the balance between silence, language, and emotional connection.
* Finding a balance between silence and language can enhance healing and understanding in therapy.
Somatics, Trauma, and Therapy Trends [00:53:18]
Guy addresses evolving trends in therapy, highlighting the significance of somatics and the rising interest in psychedelics, while acknowledging the challenges posed by mainstream acceptance.
* Therapeutic practices are evolving with a growing emphasis on somatics and innovative methods like psychedelics.
About Guy
Guy Macpherson, PhD, is a father of two and holds a doctorate in clinical psychology. He is the host of The Trauma Therapist Podcast, voted among the top Mental Health Podcasts of 2023 here and here and again in 2024. Guy’s focus is on raising the awareness of trauma, helping to educate therapists and highlighting the importance of genuineness and authenticity in both the healing and the treatment process.
He’s been honored to have as guests Jan Winhall (my experience in dialoguing with Guy was very rich… we delved into a wonderful conversation about presence that has stayed with me), Judith Herman, Bruce Perry, Bessel van der Kolk, Pat Ogden, Thema Bryant-Davis, Janina Fisher, Gabor Mate and many more.
Visit:
Website: thetraumatherapistproject.com
Facebook: @guymacphersonphd
X: @guy_phd
TikTok: @traumatherapistpodcast
Instagram: @thetraumatherapistpodcast
Join Jan Winhall's group on the PVI (Polyvagal Institute) Online Community Space for updates and discussion.
The Felt Sense Polyvagal Approach to Trauma & Addiction Group is a place for you to explore with others, through a polyvagal lens, the experiences of trauma and addiction. We are focusing on understanding addiction through the lens of the nervous system, as an adaptive response to maladaptive environments. Our group is growing in leaps and bounds indicating a hunger for change, for the kind of transformative change that polyvagal theory brings us. The group interacts online as part of the PVI (Polyvagal Institute) Online Community Space. Once a month the group meets live on Zoom for an hour of exploration and discussion with a guest presenter, in what we now call the Embodied Dialogue Series.
Free to join the group, all welcome!
PVI Community Member Guidelines
- We are cultivating cues of safety, so please be supportive.
- Encourage and support your colleagues – Remember criticism, cynicism, advice, or judgment may be signs of threat.
- Be courteous and assume the best intentions – respect all opinions, no hate speech.
- Share generously – Your stories and experiences may be what another person needs to hear today to solve a problem or seize an opportunity.
- Be constructive – We’re here to push each other forward and lift each other.
- Find ways to help each other find and create cues of safety and co-regulation, reframe challenges, and stay curious.
- Advertising, solicitation, personal or company promotion is not permitted. Those who don’t comply with the guidelines will be requested to leave the app.
Jan Winhall, M.S.W. P.I.F.O.T. is an author, teacher and seasoned trauma and addiction psychotherapist. She is an Educational Partner and Course Developer with the Polyvagal Institute where she offers a training program based on her book Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, Routledge 2021. Completion of all three levels leads students to become Felt Sense Polyvagal Model Facilitators. Her new book, 20 Embodied Practices for Healing Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, published by Norton, is available for preorder and out in March 2025. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto and a Certifying Co-Ordinator with the International Focusing Institute. Jan is Co-Director of the Borden Street Clinic where she supervises graduate students. She enjoys teaching all over the world.