the Informed Simplicity podcast

Ever feel like you're missing something in your sessions? The word "resistance" often gets a bad rap, but what if it's actually the key to a therapeutic breakthrough? In this episode, we sit down with researcher Alyssa Di Bartolomeo to explore "process coding"—the science of detecting the subtle cues clients give when therapy is off-track. Discover how to read these critical signals, prevent ruptures, and transform your ability to connect with clients. This is the skill that separates average therapists from master clinicians. Tune in to learn what your clients are really telling you.

 

Contact Alyssa Di Bartolomeo at alyssaad @] yorku.ca; Twitter/X @aadibartolomeo

 

Learn more at : Jordanthecounselor.com

The transformative work of Dr. Henny Westra and Alyssa Di Bartolomeo in their paper, "Developing expertise in psychotherapy: The case for process coding as clinical training," represents a significant advancement in therapeutic practice.

They introduce a novel framework called "process coding" to enhance therapists’ skills by using session recordings to better understand and refine therapeutic techniques. This method addresses common issues such as therapists' misremembering interactions, enabling a more accurate and effective review and improvement of their sessions. Their approach promises to dramatically enhance therapists' ability to assist clients by offering a systematic way to analyze therapy tapes, which uncovers subtle dynamics and missed opportunities within sessions.

The importance of their work lies in providing a clear, evidence-based path toward refining therapeutic skills beyond traditional training, shifting the focus from theoretical knowledge to practical, observable outcomes. This innovative method could potentially revolutionize the way therapists train and develop their expertise, ultimately leading to more effective client interventions and outcomes.

 

Links and resources mentioned:

Why tough tactics fail and rapport gets results: Observing Rapport-Based Interpersonal Techniques (ORBIT) to generate useful information from terrorists.

This is the article summarizing the early research Laurence Alison et al conducted on police interrogations. I believe it was in this paper they discuss, “you can’t always make things better, but negative interactions can sure make things worse.”

Conditions for Intuitive Expertise: A Failure to Disagree

This is Gary Klein and Daniel Kahneman’s article on the areas where expertise can develop and the areas where it can’t. My big takeaway was areas with clear and quick feedback are the ones who produce expertise.

The wizards of deception detection - Maureen O'Sullivan and Paul Ekman

One of my favorite articles. O'Sullivan and Ekman show that most people, even trained therapists, just aren't that good at reading different facial expressions.

Meet You in McGinnis Meadows: Lessons in Attunement - Scott Miller and Brooke Mathews

Miller and Mathews discuss her path to becoming an expert therapist. I've not read this in a few years but I remember her learning a lot from her work observing horses.

Contact Dr. Henny Westra at hwestra[ at] yorku.ca

Contact Alyssa Di Bartolomeo alyssaad @] yorku.ca; Twitter/X @aadibartolomeo

 

Learn more at : Jordanthecounselor.com

 

 

 

 

A few weeks ago I ran into Dr. Albert Cheng of the University of Arkansas.

We started talking, and he mentioned he was in the department of education reform. I asked him, "What's one thing about education that you know, that you wish everyone knew?"

"Well," he said, "that teacher training, teacher certification, has no relationship to teacher quality. Just because someone has a master's degree doesn't mean they are a better teacher than someone with a bachelor's."

I was floored.

I knew this happened in the counseling field. Despite what we say, certification in various models doesn't make you a better counselor. But to see the same in education was fascinating.

So I had to have him on the podcast.

In this interview we talk all about the problems education and how to fix it.

Enjoy!

 

Links mentioned

1) Primer on Teacher Quality: https://www.educationnext.org/in-schools-teacher-quality-matters-most-coleman/

2) No-Excuses Charters: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1047&context=edrepub

3) More No-Excuses Charters: https://futureofchildren.princeton.edu/sites/g/files/toruqf2411/files/resource-links/charter_schools_compiled.pdf

4) AI: https://www.educationnext.org/a-i-in-education-leap-into-new-era-machine-intelligence-carries-risks-challenges-promises/

5) Albert Cheng himself: https://edre.uark.edu/people/faculty/uid/axc070/name/Albert+A.+Cheng/

Check out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/blog

Earn CE's by listening to my podcast. Find out more here: Check out more of blog or find this blog post here: https://www.jordanthecounselor.com/polyvagalseries

Allyson Clemmons is a clinical social worker, couples therapist and owner Bridgetown Clinical, a counseling practice specializing in couples therapy and divorce recovery.

In this conversation Allyson and Jordan discuss:

 

• The time freeing benefits of group practice.
• How to run a healthy business.
• How to market for your group practice
• and more..!

You can find Allyson at her clinical website ( bridgetownclinical.com ) or get coaching on building your practice at her therapists facing website ( www.allysonclemmons.com )

 

Follow me:

 

Blog: jordanthecounselor.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@InformedSimplicitywithDrJordan

{Note: this podcast and show notes were originally part of an online CE course. That course is no longer available.}

Dr. Jordan Harris interviews Kelly Beins and Leah Dawang about their experiences using polyvagal theory in their practices and working with Unyte.

After this training you will be able to meet the following objectives. 

1. Describe a polyvagal perspective of the autonomic nervous system. 
2. Explain the concept of state "blends".
3. Explain the sequential "pyramid of learning" and how it applies to our central nervous system.

More on Jordan Harris, Ph.D, LMFT-s, LPC-s 

Jordan Harris, holds a Ph.D in Marriage and Family Therapy, works as a subject matter expert for Deliberate Practice in Psychotherapy and maintains a private practice where he sees couples and individuals. 

He's also the co-host ofThe Polyvagal Series, a podcast and online course which explores all the ways stress impacts our physical and mental health from a polyvagal lens. 

More on Unyte

For a professional interested in learning more about Unyte and integrating Dr. Porges' Safe and Sound Protocol into their practice, please visit: https://integratedlistening.com/ 

More on Kelly Beins, BA, BHScOT, OTR/L

Kelly Beins is a seasoned Occupational Therapist with over 28 years of experience, including 18 years with certification in sensory integration. Kelly believes in evidence-informed interventions and is passionate about combining sensory integration and mental health practices. 

Kelly has recently joined Unyte as a strategic clinical consultant where she supports development of clinical use guidelines, provider engagement, and product development. Outside of her role at Unyte, Kelly is growing a global mentorship program to make best-practices more accessible for other sensory OT’s in private practice. 

Kelly specializes in Polyvagal Theory, she is an international speaker, has published two children’s books and was named, Autism Parenting Magazine’s “Top OT” for two consecutive years.

While almost an empty nester, Kelly is a sensory parent herself, which has led to many insightful and unexpected learnings along her professional and personal path. 

More on Leah  Dawang, MSP, Somatic Experiencing® Student — Advanced 

Leah Dawang first joined Unyte as a Program Consultant sharing her passion for the Safe and Sound Protocol with professionals. Today, she serves as Unyte’s Strategic Partnerships Manager, envisioning all members of the helping and healing communities linking arms in Love and transforming the world. 

Leah’s initial career in tech start-ups and event management took a sharp turn when her entire being suffered from the effects of trauma. After traveling the world, attending G42 Leadership Academy and plenty of therapy, Leah rediscovered her love for Love and founded Clear The Way, a coaching practice devoted to guiding others in clearing the effects of trauma that block them from receiving unconditional Love.

She is an SSP provider in the final stages of becoming a Somatic Experiencing practitioner and is passionate about all things that lead to Love including the nervous system, spoken word and important, hard and beautiful conversations.  

Find this blog post here: jordanthecounselor.com/post/imposter-syndrome

 

Find this blog post here: jordanthecounselor.com/post/how-to-become-a-wealthy-therapist

 

1. Vicki Fountain's Interview

2. JL Collins' Interview 

Find this blog post here: jordanthecounselor.com/post/a-deliberate-practice-hero

Find this blog post here: jordanthecounselor.com/post/effective-counseling-13