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Client Driven Therapy and Brainspotting with Jana Glass

We welcome Jana Glass, a Licensed Professional Counselor certified in Brainspotting, Addictions, and Perinatal Mental health, to the podcast this week. In this conversation we explore what it means for therapy to be truly client led and how can therapists support parents who have experienced perinatal trauma to find and trust in their brain's own capacity to heal.

Summary

Jana begins our conversation by sharing a quote that embodies her approach to therapy, which focuses on empowering clients to heal and be present in the moment. She discusses the importance of centering the client as the expert in their own experience and using brainspotting to process trauma. Jana also addresses the challenges of working within systems and offers advice for clinicians on navigating boundaries and providing client-centered care. In this conversation, Jana emphasizes the importance of not making assumptions and allowing clients to lead their own healing journey. She shares a powerful example of a client who chose her as a therapist because she didn't assume the meaning of her pregnancy. Jana highlights the significance of creating a safe space for clients to express their thoughts and feelings without judgment. She discusses the power of asking questions and letting clients find their own answers, as well as the importance of therapists doing their own therapeutic work. Jana believes that healing is achievable for anyone and that therapists should support clients in finding their own path to healing.

 

Keywords: Jana Glass, brainspotting, perinatal mental health, trauma therapy, client-centered care, assumptions, client-led healing, safe space, asking questions, therapeutic work, healing journey

 

Takeaways

  • Clients are the experts on themselves and have everything they need inside of them to heal and be present in the moment.
  • Trauma therapy involves helping clients access and process unprocessed material in their subcortical brain, allowing them to integrate past experiences and feel more grounded in the present.
  • Clinicians can navigate the challenges of working within systems by maintaining a duality, following ethical guidelines while also prioritizing client-centered care.
  • Brainspotting is a powerful brain and body-based approach that uses fixed eye positions to access and process trauma.
  • The role of the therapist is to provide a safe and compassionate space for clients to explore their experiences and guide them in their healing journey. Don't make assumptions about what events mean to clients, especially in a professional setting.
  • Allow clients to lead their own healing journey and support them in finding their own answers.
  • Create a safe space for clients to express their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
  • Therapists should do their own therapeutic work to be present, grounded, and attuned with their clients.

 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Jana Glass

02:35 Empowering Clients to Heal and Be Present

06:16 Recognizing Unmet Needs and Providing Support

11:25 Accessing and Processing Trauma with Brain Spotting

19:54 Navigating Boundaries and Providing Client-Centered Care

25:46 Working Within Systems and Prioritizing Client Needs

28:09 The Power of Not Making Assumptions

34:14 Creating a Safe Space for Authentic Expression

45:02 Therapists Doing Their Own Therapeutic Work

46:53 Healing is Achievable for Anyone

On the Resilient Birth podcast, Justine and Sarah explore the impact of trauma across the perinatal period, from trying-to-conceive to pregnancy, from childbirth to postpartum and parenting. Through an inspirational quote that drives our weekly conversations about trauma and healing, Justine and Sarah explore topics such as birth trauma, parenting as a survivor, and finding healing with vulnerability and compassion that support birthing people and birth professionals.

Each week, listeners leave with takeaways to utilize in their lives and/or clients. Justine and Sarah hold the stories they share with honor and respect with the hope to impart knowledge, increase understanding, and bear witness to this challenging topic.

Sarah is a licensed mental health counselor, educator, and mom of three. She walks with a story of trauma from before and as a result of her perinatal experience.

Justine supports survivors of trauma through perinatal coaching and childbirth education. As well as being a mother of three, she holds a Ph.D. on representations of consent and sexual violence.

Learn more about Sarah and Justine's course called Trauma Informed Fundamentals here: https://resilient-birth.mykajabi.com/traumainformedfundamentals

Jana Glass is a Licensed Professional Counselor certified in Brainspotting, Addictions, Perinatal Mental health, and Telemental health. She works with a wide spectrum of clients and her special interests include healing trauma, supporting people with substance use challenges, and prioritizing perinatal mental health and trauma. Jana is in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia and individuals and Families find relief and feel better.  She provides individual and group consultation as a certified brainspotting consultant and trainer. Jana educates professionals in a variety of topics including neurobiological approaches to trauma, Brainspotting Phase one and Phase two, Supporting  Birthgivers  with substance use during the perinatal period, and Connecting the rainbow: Healing perinatal trauma. Jana is passionate about helping to foster hope when faced with situations that appear hopeless.

Connect with Jana at www.supportivesolutionsga.com or facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SupportiveSolutionsGA, or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowconnector3?igsh=cmgzcWR0eG10bDIx&utm_source=qr, and professionals interested in Perinatal Mental Health and Trauma can join the Brainspotting and Perinatal Mental Health Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/1SLgKtfGfeyoDXwZ/?mibextid=K35XfP