student therapist Archives

When the Brain Changes: Understanding the Role of Psychotherapy After Brain Injury

October 8, 2026October 15, 2026 by Lisa HarrisNo Comments

When the Brain Changes: Understanding the Role of Psychotherapy after Brain Injury Brain injury can change far more than memory, concentration or physical functioning. For the person experiencing it, a brain injury can affect their relationships, emotional regulation, behaviour, confidence, identity, independence and sense of who they are.And sometimes the psychological impact is the part that is least visible to other people. I have worked with people affected by acquired brain injury (ABI), including traumatic brain injury (TBI), for many years — as a therapist, clinical lead and supervisor. One of the things that has stayed with me throughout that work is how important it is to understand the whole person, rather than seeing the brain injury as a collection of cognitive or physical symptoms. A person may look physically well while experiencing profound changes internally. They may be struggling to manage emotions, process information, control impulses, understand changes in their behaviour, maintain relationships or come to terms with a life that feels...

Crisis & Support Resources for practitioners

October 7, 2026October 15, 2026 by Lisa HarrisNo Comments

Crisis & Support Resources for practitioners "Reaching out for support is not a sign of burnout; it is a sign of professional maturity. Using these resources ensures you stay healthy enough to continue the incredible work you do for our clients. There is no 'heroism' in struggling alone." Before You Need It: Prepare Your Support Plan One of the most helpful things we can do for ourselves as practitioners is to identify our support options before we need them. When we are distressed, overwhelmed, exhausted or dealing with the aftermath of a particularly difficult piece of clinical work, it can be surprisingly difficult to remember who we can contact, where to find the relevant information, or what options are available to us. Having this information prepared in advance means that we don't have to make those decisions in the middle of a difficult moment. Consider creating your own Crisis & Support Resource List and keeping it somewhere that is easy to access — for example, saved...

Trauma-Informed Clinical Competency Guide

October 6, 2026October 15, 2026 by Lisa HarrisNo Comments

Here is a Trauma-Informed Clinical Competency Guide, designed to be a suggested roadmap for developing skills from being a guided learner, to an independent practitioner when working directly with trauma as a specialism. 1. Planning: The Strategy Long-Term Roadmap: Goals match the client’s specific trauma and cognitive level. Session Steps: Daily objectives are small, measurable, and lead toward the big goal. The Pivot: Knowing when to change or add something the plan if a client is struggling. Right Tools: Choosing materials (activities/worksheets) that fit the client's age and interest. Clinical Rationale: Understanding the "why" (theory) behind your choices. Maximising Action: Structuring sessions so the client is active, not just listening. Celebrating Wins: Having a clear way to show the client their progress. The Support System: Including family/partners in the healing plan where appropriate. 2. Interaction: The Relationship Sensitivity: Staying tuned in to the client’s mood and adjusting in the moment. Safe Connection: Using the therapist-client bond as a tool for healing. Therapeutic Tone: Being warm, sincere, and using humour where it helps. Professional Boundaries:...

Supervision Case Template – Feedback loop

October 1, 2026October 15, 2026 by Lisa HarrisNo Comments

This Supervision Feedback Loop is designed to be the "sister document" to the Case Presentation Template discussed in my previous blog. It allows you to provide structured, objective feedback that directly correlates to the Proficiency Levels also discussed in earlier supervision blog posts. 1. Proficiency Level Assessment Based on today’s presentations and session reviews, where are we on the "Ladder of Independence"? Level 5 (Very Good): Demonstrates independent, creative mastery. Level 4 (Good): Strong initiative; ideas approved with minor refinement. Level 3 (Satisfactory): Follows direction well; beginning to problem-solve. Level 2 (Less than Sat.): Requires supervisor-initiated direction on technical skills. Level 1 (Poor): Intensive guidance needed; awareness of need to change is present. 2. The "Mirror" - Observational Feedback Strengths Observed: (e.g., "Your use of grounding during the client’s trigger was perfectly timed.") Growth Edges: e.g., "I noticed therapist talking time was high today; let's work on 'The Power of the Pause'." 3. Theory & Technique Check-in Clinical Rationale: Does the clinician understand the why behind their intervention? [ Yes / No / Developing ] Trauma-Informed Lens: Are they effectively addressing the specific trauma type and cognitive level? [ Yes / No / Developing...