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This Is Not Just a Request for Attention. This Is a Protest Against Disconnection: A Therapeutic Reframe from David Wallin
ByJo OxleyWhat if “attention-seeking” is actually a protest against disconnection? Explore David Wallin’s powerful reframe of client behavior through the lens of attachment theory—and how it can transform your therapeutic presence
The Client Who “Overreacts”
ByJo Oxley(A Nervous System Doing Its Job) There is a particular kind of moment in therapy that can catch even experienced counsellors off guard. A client reacts strongly – suddenly, intensely, and in a way that feels disproportionate to what’s just happened. A raised voice.Tears that arrive without warning.A sharp withdrawal.A look of panic, shame, or…
When Clients Say “I Don’t Know”
ByJo Oxley(And Why That’s Not Resistance) There are few phrases that can quietly derail a therapy session like this one: “I don’t know.” And often, something happens inside the therapist. We might feel momentarily stuck.We might try another angle.We might gently probe, rephrase, offer options. Or – if we’re honest – we might wonder whether the…
Listening to the Body: Why Attachment-Based Therapy Needs a Somatic Lens
ByJo OxleyWhen connection feels unsafe, the body remembers. In attachment-based therapy, somatic awareness helps us understand nervous system patterns rooted in early trauma. This article explores how integrating body-based work deepens healing for clients with insecure or disorganized attachment
Behaviour Is Never the Problem: It’s the Clue
ByJo OxleyThere’s a moment many counsellors recognise, even if we don’t always say it out loud. A client does the thing again. And somewhere inside us – usually quietly, a thought flickers: Why does this keep happening? It’s often at this point that behaviour starts to feel like the problem. We might dress it up in…
“I Don’t Do Inner Child Work”
ByJo Oxley(What Might That Be Protecting?) Many counsellors say it – sometimes confidently, sometimes cautiously: “I don’t really do inner child work.” It’s often followed by a rationale: These concerns are understandable. Inner child work has, at times, been poorly taught, loosely defined, or practiced without enough containment. And yet, from an attachment-informed perspective, it’s worth…
