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!
What is Enough?
What does it mean to have “enough”? PESI author Joanne Spence explores the downward spiral of our ever-present desire to have more, do more, and be more – and how to come back to the present and to a place of gratitude.
How Post-Traumatic Symptoms Reflect Our Trauma History
When Our Nervous System Adapts to Threat in the Absence of Danger
Individuals who have been exposed to chronic and repeated trauma often have a nervous system still mobilized for danger, evoking trauma responses of fear, fight, or flight long after the threat has passed.
Desperate Efforts to Regulate a Traumatized Nervous System
Understanding the Vicious Circle of Addictive and Self-Destructive Behavior
Confused and frightened by intense feelings and physical responses—and tormented by their negative thoughts—many trauma survivors feel desperate for relief. Drugs, alcohol, self-harm, and many other compulsive behaviors provide brief periods of respite, but unfortunately, the relief is short-lived. As the body develops tolerance for these addictive or self-destructive impulses, they eventually become worse than the trauma symptoms themselves.
Help Clients Overcome Resistance to Forgiveness so They can Heal after Trauma
Linda Curran, BCPC, LPC, CACD, CCDPD, provides a simple 5-stages model to debunk forgiveness myths and help your clients start their healing journey.
There can be a lot of initial resistance to forgiveness after trauma because of these common false beliefs about what forgiveness means. Help clients move past these myths so they forgive and heal.
Shame: 3 Tips for Breaking the Cycle
Dr. Janina Fisher shares 3 interventions drawn from neurobiologically-oriented therapies. (She'll also show you when it's ok to break the 11th commandment.)
Trauma changes more than the mind
Leslie Korn, PhD, MPH, LMHC, reveals how mental health conditions contribute to memory loss, dementia and diabetes
Discover why combining your mental health knowledge with the latest research in integrative approaches and nutrition can build rapport with clients and enhance clinical outcomes help.
Rage in America
Dr. Jeff Peterson reveals why therapists need to know how to manage anger
As a society, we have a collective problem with anger. And it’s getting worse by the day. But how do you begin to treat anger problems so clients can communicate peacefully and effectively? Watch this video to discover the roots of this core emotion so you can start angry clients down the path to healing.
In This Together!
During these challenging times, I hear “everything has changed.” But is that really true? (Activity and free worksheet)
While it may feel like our new normal is nothing like the old, we need to recognize the silver linings this time has brought forth. This blog, activity and free worksheets helps us realize the importance of reaching out to others and celebrates our feelings of accomplishment when we are able to help someone else.
Calm Anxiety in 45 Seconds
Dr. Jennifer Sweeton reveals the key to making deep breathing work for your clients—and a simple tool to help even the most agitated clients get started
As therapists, we know breathing is a helpful tool for calming anxiety. But clients are often skeptical about how something they do every day can help them. Discover how a specific kind of breathing reduces stress and anxiety, and helps even the most anxious people relax.
Create Connection from a Distance: Making Telehealth Relational
Janina Fisher, PhD shares her pro tips for transcending the limitations of telehealth and establishing a sense of closeness with your clients.
Now that distance therapy is the “new normal” when treating clients, knowing how to create a sense of connection through the screen is essential. In this short video, trauma treatment expert Janina Fisher shares her pro tips for helping clients feel engaged, listened to and understood—no matter where you are.