Trauma-Informed Lens Podcast

Episode 70: Autonomic Regulation and Cooperation

Posted on January 28, 2019

Podcasters: Matt Bennett, Curt Mower, & Dr. Jerry Yager

Trauma-related symptoms have been demonstrated to impede the establishment of effective working alliance between therapist and client.  In the article we discuss today, researchers provide some conceptual framework and empirical data that suggest a strong relationship between autonomic regulation and working alliance between therapists and clients seeking trauma-focused treatment.  This also leads to a discussion of the impact autonomic regulation on the formation of effective interpersonal communication, connection, trust, and shared goals that are required for cooperative interactions in other contexts.

Discussion Questions:

• If you were to guess, how many of those you work with would measure in a way that shows they are going to struggle to create a healthy working relationship with you?
• What are some things you could do for those who are not ready to help them to succeed and limit retraumatization?
• If this technology was given to you for free today, how or would you use it?

This week’s article: Physiological predictors of Working Alliance