In today’s,” Yoga Snack,” I will guide listeners through a simple mindfulness meditation practice. Designed to help therapists integrate yoga into their practice and enhance self-care, this episode offers valuable insights into the benefits of mindfulness meditation, practical tips for staying present, and a guided meditation that can be easily incorporated into daily routines.

" It is the practice of bringing your attention to the present moment and bringing a sense of curiosity, of wonder into the moment without judging yourself." -Chris McDonald

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

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In this episode, We explore how integrating joy and yoga into therapy sessions can enhance attunement with clients. Terry shares her yoga journey and provides practical, simple yoga movements and practices to help therapists and clients access joy, reduce stress, and promote connection and vitality. The episode also focuses on gentle yoga, the importance of service, gratitude, play, and rest, and a discussion on laughter yoga and playful movement exercises.

MEET Terry Littlefield

Terry is the creator of Postures Breath & Joy. Her mission is to help people, especially those of us mid-century and beyond, get moving, get breathing, and get to know and share joy on the regular. She teaches with heart and humor and endless hours of education. Terry is a lifelong learner. She believes laughter is the best medicine and an essential part of any movement practice. Her classes blend science and spirit, breath work and belly laughs, movement and breath work/meditation. She began studying/practicing yoga in 2003 and hasn't looked back, She is an E-RYT-500 yoga teacher; Level 1 Girls Gone Strong coach; Trained in Yoga Tune Up, Somatics & Restorative, Laughter Yoga, Reiki, Tapping, and more.

Find out more at Terry Littlefield and connect with Terry on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook

• Discovering Gentle Yoga
• Incorporating Joy and Play
• The Power of Attunement and Laughter Yoga
• Joyful Movement Practices
• Grounding Through Toe Exercises

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

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In this episode, we discuss the integration of yoga into mental health sessions. I will go over three key strategies for incorporating yoga practices, including grounding, breathwork, and asana, in a trauma-informed and ethical manner. This episode features detailed case studies and snapshots that illustrate transformational results in therapy, addressing anxiety, chronic worry, developmental trauma, and anger. I will also share practical tips on planning yoga practices, using organic approaches, and inviting clients to direct their own movements, empowering therapists to bring yoga into their practice safely and effectively.

" It can be intimidating to move from traditional talk therapy to a more somatic body-based approach with trauma-informed yoga or somatic practices. It's just out of most of our comfort zone until we get used to doing it and learn more about it. ”

• Basics of Integrating Yoga into Therapy
• Case Studies: Real-Life Applications

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

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In this episode, we explore how yoga-inspired practices can help therapists and clients manage anxiety. We discuss grounding techniques like breathwork, mudras, and simple movements that are easily integrated into therapy sessions. Joanna shares her journey with yoga, starting from personal stress relief to incorporating it into her trauma-informed therapy practice. We discuss the importance of trauma-informed care and customizable, accessible practices for clients with varied needs.

MEET Joanna Barrett

Joanna Barrett is a Nationally Certified Counselor in the United States, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Massachusetts), a Licensed Professional Counselor (Pennsylvania and Virginia), and an Emotional Wellness Yoga Instructor. Through her comprehensive approach, Joanna also provides Professional Mentorship and Consultation for yoga instructors and mental health professionals. Joanna helps her clients manage high stress, busy lifestyles, anxiety, depression, past traumas, and challenging relationships. She offers traditional therapy and trauma-informed yoga, creating a safe, judgment-free environment for clients to openly explore their inner thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Her approach combines the therapeutic modalities of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Expressive Arts Therapies, and therapeutic yoga. This allows her to tailor sessions to each client's unique needs and foster a collaborative healing journey. Joanna earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has completed over 1,000 hours of specialized yoga training. She is also a passionate advocate for mental health as an Ambassador with the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation and for animals through Second Chance Animal Services in Massachusetts, where she created a fund to help families adopt dogs. As a consultant to organizations and a seasoned conference presenter, Joanna shares her knowledge of stress management and mental health nationwide. She is also a published writer and guest expert on podcasts, where she provides insights on emotional well-being and holistic wellness to a global audience. Clients who work with Joanna experience a range of powerful outcomes. They often report a greater sense of inner peace, resilience, and emotional balance, finding new ways to manage stress and nurture positive relationships. With Joanna’s support, clients build deeper self-awareness, make progress in healing from past traumas, and establish routines that promote well-being and prevent burnout. Her yoga-informed techniques also help clients reconnect with their bodies, enhancing grounding, nervous system regulation, and releasing stored emotional tension. Ultimately, Joanna's clients learn how to live more fully and authentically, equipped with lasting tools to thrive both mentally and physically. Her goal is to empower them to create intentional, fulfilling lives so they can embrace each day with renewed purpose and joy.

Find out more at Joanna Barrett Therapy & Wellness and connect with Joanna on Facebook and Instagram

• Yoga Practices for Anxiety Relief
• Breathwork Techniques for Emotional Regulation
• Incorporating Asana Practices in Therapy
• Practical Tips for Therapists
• Mudra for Anxiety Relief

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In this encore episode with Jenna Little, we explore trauma-informed yoga and story work. We discuss how these practices can be integrated to support deep healing through the mind-body connection, emphasizing the importance of invitational language, pacing, and somatic practices. Jenna shares her journey, insights on using yoga in therapeutic settings, and effective ways to process trauma and enhance self-awareness.

MEET Jenna Little

Jenna Little is a Somatic Therapist, trauma-informed Yoga Teacher, and Registered Dietitian who has a passion for integrative and holistic healing. She blends many modalities for a unique embodied healing process that supports and empowers clients to come home to their bodies, souls, spirit, and story for healing, wholeness, and freedom. She works with individuals as well as offers several groups and yoga classes including her signature Yoga For Healing intensive. She finds meaning in raising her 3 daughters as well as running her business and balancing her sacred work in the world.

Find out more at Jennal Little, and connect with Jenna on Instagram

• Understanding Trauma-Informed Yoga and Story Work
• Integrating Yoga and Story Work in Therapy
• Defining Trauma-Informed Yoga
• Practical Applications in Therapy
• Using Visual Tools in Therapy
• Community and Group Healing

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

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In this encore episode, Kim Bevans shares her expertise on incorporating somatic interventions into traditional talk therapy, exploring common misconceptions and the profound healing impact of therapists using their own embodiment. We discuss practical tips for therapists looking to enrich their toolkit with somatic techniques and emphasize the importance of therapists having their own movement practices. We also look at various somatic interventions, including movement, identifying body sensations, and using expressive therapy approaches.

MEET Kim Bevans

Kim Bevans is a body-oriented therapist and Embodiment Expert. Kim received her master's degree from Columbia College Chicago in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling. Kim is a Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts. Kim provides therapy to women who over-intellectualize, spend too much time in their thinking minds, and feel emotionally overwhelmed. Kim helps women hear the call in their bodies and hearts to facilitate deeper connection, understanding, and healing within themselves. Her private practice is in Boston, Massachusetts. Based on her years of embodied clinical experience and ongoing learning, Kim provides education and consultation for therapists who want to level up their mind-body toolbox.

Find out more at Kim Bevans, and connect with Kim on Instagram

• Exploring Somatic Interventions
• The Importance of Therapist's Embodiment
• Personalized Approach to Therapy
• Building Comfort and Trust
• Success Stories with Somatic Interventions

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

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In today’s” Yoga Snack,” we focus on practical mindfulness techniques to help navigate the holiday season with greater peace and intention. I share simple yet effective practices, including gratitude rituals, sensory walks, and breathing exercises, aimed at cultivating presence amidst the busy season.

" One thing I've reflected on over the years is to really pause, step back, and think about what are my expectations for the holiday season. What do I want to cultivate and bring in? Do I want to bring in that stressful energy? How can I find more calm?”

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How To Build Competence and Confidence in Integrating Yoga Into the Therapy Room

Self-Care for the Counselor: A Companion Workbook: An Easy to Use Workbook to Support you on Your Holistic Healing and Counselor Self-Care Journey ... A Holistic Guide for Helping Professionals)

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In this episode, we explore the transformative effects of combining EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) with yoga for trauma healing. We discuss the science behind EMDR, its protocols, and the benefits of integrating mindful movement, breathwork, and body awareness practices from yoga. This episode will share a practical yoga session and examples of how these modalities enhance therapeutic outcomes, fostering a sense of empowerment and embodiment in clients.

MEET Paula Soto

Paula Soto LCSW, LISW-CP, ERYT200, YACEP/Paula owns Intersections Wellness and Intersections Wellness Intensive Treatment. She offers EMDR intensives, adjunct EMDR therapy, trauma-focused yoga instruction, consultation, continuing education, and program development. Paula serves therapy clients in PA and SC.

Find out more at Intersections Wellness

• Integrating Yoga and EMDR in Therapy
• The EMDR Reprocessing Session Explained
• Challenges and Considerations in EMDR Therapy
• Integrating Yoga with EMDR Therapy
• Tailoring Yoga Practices to Client Needs
• Chair Yoga Demonstration

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