Blogs and Free Resources

Here at PESI, our mission is to provide professionals like you with FREE practical and valuable tools, strategies, and resources to assist with the great work you do. Find expert tips, helpful worksheets, demonstration videos, CE, news, and more here. Happy learning!
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How Trauma Creates Narrow “Windows of Tolerance” in Survivors

Why trauma survivors react dramatically to stimulus, and how you can help them handle stress in healthy ways

Irina Diyankova, Ph.D., RYT-200

Trauma survivors can struggle to self-regulate and control their responses to everyday stressors and the unexpected. In this short video, Irina Diyankova, Ph.D., RYT-200 reveals why trauma survivors are more prone to extreme reactions to stress such as rage, binge drinking and self-harm.

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21 Daily Practices to Improve Your Relationship

Use the science of mindfulness and CBT to strengthen your bond.

Seth J. Gillihan, PhD

Nothing has a bigger influence on our well-being than the quality of our closest connections. In this blog, Seth Gillihan PhD, offers 21 ways to build stronger and closer relationships. Plus, he's giving away his FREE Worksheet: 10 Ways to Manage Stress and Anxiety Every Day.

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What Hookup Culture Means for the Future of Millennial Love

Alexandra Solomon on the Emotional Toll of Hypersexualized Dating

Alexandra Solomon, Ph.D.

Even though young adults seem to be craving some safety to balance their adventure, hookup culture continues to thrive, as much as many therapists would love to see young adults create something more fulfilling than ambiguous, drunken, unsatisfying sex. Whatever changes lie ahead in our cultural rituals for coming-of-age relationally, we’ll be seeing in our therapy practices the emotional legacy of hookup culture, in all its rawness and frantic incoherence, for many years to come.

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EMDR: Safety and Stabilization

When and with whom do we use EMDR?

Linda Curran, BCPC, LPC, CACD, CCDPD

In addition to improved practice outcomes, effective integration of EMDR can lead to the long-term trauma resolution that your clients so desperately desire. But we need to stop and ask: when and with whom do we use EMDR?

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Introduction to Yoga for Trauma Treatment

Adding simple yoga poses to talk therapy can help your clients break the crippling grip of trauma faster (NO yoga certification or crazy flexibility required)

Irina Diyankova, Ph.D., RYT-200

Irina Diyankova, PhD, RYT-200 busts some stubborn myths about yoga and who it’s for (hint: It’s NOT just for skinny, flexible people). You’ll also discover the many benefits of using yoga in trauma treatment.

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14 Products to Spread the Love

Be Your Best Self, To Be the Best Partner

PESI Team

This month focus on loving yourself to better love those around you. These 14 titles rooted in Self-Compassion, Gratitude and Deep Conversation will help grow your heart to spread your love beyond yourself.

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Dr. Bessel van der Kolk on Interoception & Yoga

Effective Trauma Treatment

Bessel A. van der Kolk, M.D.

It’s frustrating when your client gets stuck — overwhelmed by fear, shame, helplessness...Here’s one solution that’s extremely effective in moving therapy forward.

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Hiding in Plain Sight: Polyvagal Theory in Contemporary Song Lyrics

Dr. Stephen Porges, the founder of Polyvagal Theory, reveals the principles of this groundbreaking theory as shown in hundreds of contemporary song lyrics.

Stephen Porges, Ph.D.

Polyvagal Theory is a brain-body science that’s helped thousands of therapists make significant breakthroughs with clients suffering the impacts of trauma. And it’s everywhere, all around us, hiding in plain sight.

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Breathing Is the Key to Managing Stress and Anxiety

Simple breathing exercises can calm you down when you’re overwhelmed by stress and anxiety.

Margaret Wehrenberg, PsyD

Stress and anxiety are a part of life, no question. But chronic stress and worry, if left unchecked, can harm both your physical and mental health. The first step to controlling your body’s responses to stress is to control your breathing, using these simple techniques.

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Polyvagal Theory in Action: 3D Example of the Nervous System with Ventral and Dorsal Vagal Systems

Gain a deeper understanding of Polyvagal Theory and why it’s so effective in trauma treatment.

DEB DANA, LCSW

Polyvagal Theory is a brain-body science that’s helped thousands of therapists make significant breakthroughs with clients suffering the impacts of trauma. In this video, Deb Dana, pioneer of clinical applications of Polyvagal Theory, creates a dynamic 3D model that demonstrates the theory in action.

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