Knowledge & News
Get the latest updates from SWPA and access our library of knowledge to supplement your healing journey. We have compiled these resources to help you expand your knowledge prior to seeking support and to provide information for your reference while you are in active treatment with one of our expert practitioners.
Our practitioners are leaders in their respective areas of expertise and pursue professional development that ensures you receive the most innovative care possible. We encourage you to browse the Knowledge & News section to familiarize yourself with common terminology used in a therapeutic setting or to join us in staying informed of the latest developments in treatment and care.
Respect Your Emotions
Many times in my therapy practice, clients will describe an emotional response to a situation and express guilt or shame at having had the emotion at all. They have this response to fear, sadness, jealousy, anger, and even joy.
Brian Kunde, MS, LCSW
Here’s What It Means to Be Vers, Top, or Bottom
Psychotherapist and sex therapist Ty David Lerman, says a crucial first step in figuring out what labels, if any, are right for you is cultivating a willingness to learn about yourself: “Get curious about your fantasies, your literal dreams, and what you’re attracted to.”
The Connection Between Anxiety and Erectile Dysfunction
“So much of my human sexuality education focuses simply on how the body works, which [is where] the vast majority of American education fails us,” says Ty David Lerman, a psychotherapist and certified sex therapist.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic process that encourages clients to focus on a trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation.
Dianne Pulsipher, MA, LPC
The Celtic Ceremony Becoming Popular Among Polyamorous Couples – The New York Times
“Some polyamorous couples have adopted the Celtic practice of handfasting, which allows many hands to be bound together to signify the binding of several lives, as a symbolic commitment ceremony.”
New Year 2023
The start of a new year is a natural time for reflection and goal-setting. Many people use this opportunity to set intentions for the coming year, which can help to provide focus, direction, and motivation.
By Ty David Lerman PhD, LPC-S, CST, QTAP
The Importance of Proper Closure or an Invitation to Working With Ghosts
We have all experienced it, a client is doing the work, showing up and then suddenly, they are gone, nowhere to be found. Your client has ghosted you. As a therapist, you feel lost, wondering what happened. You have so many questions. Was it something that you did, something that you didn’t do, is the client okay, are they even still alive? Ghosting can be about so many things. It can definitely be about a client’s own issues. But ghosting can also be about us as therapists, our practice and our own journeys.
By Angela Moore JD, LCSW
What is Brainspotting?
A few months ago I was trained in Brainspotting. It is a powerful therapeutic modality, and I am seeing very positive results for my clients. I have been an EMDR therapist for many years but felt a need to learn an additional tool to help my clients. I find that Brainspotting often works deeper and faster than EMDR which is very encouraging for my clients. So what is Brainspotting? David Grand, PhD, the developer of Brainspotting, wrote a detailed explanation, which you can read in detail on his website brainspotting.com if you’re interested. Below I will highlight some of his words.
By Dianne Pulsipher MA, LPC
Without Words
Our staff had a conversation earlier today about our legal and ethical duty to warn, to report abuse and neglect. Little did we know what was to follow.
By Sue Steinbruecker, LCSW
Games For Coping, Processing, & Learning
Stories are one of the ways we help ourselves make sense of the human experience. We use television, movies, books, and other media to comfort ourselves, process emotions, and learn new ways of looking at the world. Many therapists suggest media to their clients to help them process their own struggles and challenges.
By Brian Kunde, MS, LCSW