What is one thing you are leaving behind in 2024 and one thing you are taking into 2025?

In the final episode of Mastering Therapy Season 1, Dr Natalie Stott introduces a reflective practice aimed at closing the year thoughtfully. The episode offers 'the 20 big questions' categorised under general overview, client focus, self-development, and forward planning. These questions are designed to help therapists assess their past year's work, celebrate successes, and identify areas for improvement.

You can get a free downloadable of the reflective exercise mentioned HERE

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

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Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals.

How do you set your session up when your client is an ADHDer or autistic?

In this episode Dr. Hayley MacGregor, a clinical psychologist and specialist in working with neurodivergent adolescents is interviewed. They discuss best practices for psychologists when working with clients with autism and ADHD, including the importance of adapting communication styles and therapy environments. Dr. MacGregor shares practical advice on creating a comfortable therapeutic setting, establishing trust, and using tools like the autism spectrum wheel and emotion dictionaries to enhance understanding and care. This episode emphasises the need to recognise and accommodate the sensory and communication preferences of neurodivergent clients, offering insights that can be applied therapeutic contexts across the life span.

Highlights:

00:54 Understanding neurodivergence in therapy

02:48 Setting sessions up

06:47 Adapting therapy for neurodivergent clients

08:45 Tools and resources

21:54 Sensory preferences and adaptations

Guest Info

Get in contact with Dr Hayley Macgregor here

Resources mentioned

Books:

Wise, S. J. (2022). The neurodivergent friendly workbook of DBT skills.

Dunn, W. (2008). Living sensationally: Understanding your senses. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

https://www.autismattheheart.co.uk/information

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

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Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals.

Are you a perfectionist?

This episode explores perfectionism with senior CBT therapist Natalie Englander. They discuss different types of perfectionism, as outlined by Roz Shafran, but also unqiue insights on how perfectionsm can manifest. The conversation explores perfectionism through a CBT lens including cognitive restructuring, behavioural experiments, and the importance of flexibility in therapy. Packed with professional wisdom and actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen.

Highlights include:

02:16 Types of perfectionism

06:36 Perfectionism in therapy

08:21 Exploring core beliefs and cognitive restructuring

28:15 Behavioural experiments and practical applications

32:35 Recommended resources

** Guest Info **

Natalie Englander's website here

The perfectionism therapist Instagram

Follow Natalie Englander on Linkedin

Resources discussed

CBT model of perfectionism

BOOK: Perfectionist's Guide to Losing Control by Katherine Morgan Schafler

Egan, S. J., Wade, T. D., Shafran, R., & Antony, M. M. (2014). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of perfectionism. The Guilford Press.

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals.

What do you think about using AI in therapy ?

In this week's episode of the Mastering Therapy Podcast, Dr. Natalie Stott dives into how AI can enhance your therapy practice. She shares her 18-month journey of integrating AI into her workflow, discussing various AI applications from note-taking to using AI for feedback on therapy sessions. She discusses the way AI note takers work and recommends the most effective one for therapists.

00:32 Embracing AI in therapy and understanding it

04:27 The Technology adoption life cycle

07:09 Using AI to write therapy notes

10:13 Ensuring GDPR compliance and client consent

18:24 Improving writing with AI

22:31 Analyzing data and interpreting questionnaire scores

24:17 Idea generation

26:00 AI as a Feedback Tool

29:10 AI as a marketing coach

30:46 Final Thoughts

To try Heidi health and get 1 month use of Heidi pro for free click here

For free resources and downloads mentioned in the podcast click here

For the blog article mentioning the various scribes click here

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals.

Do you know the basics of polyvagal theory and how you can integrate it into your practice?

This episode is with Dr. Rachel Lee, a clinical psychologist and EMDR consultant. Rachel explores the science behind Polyvagal theory, its relevance in psychotherapy, and practical ways to integrate it into clinical practice. Dr. Rachel shares her journey in understanding Polyvagal Theory, the importance of co-regulation, and how our environment influences our nervous system response. This episode is perfect for therapists looking to enrich their practice with robust, physiological strategies for emotional regulation.

Highlights:

01:10 Understanding Polyvagal theory

06:45 The traffic light model

07:40 Explaining Polyvagal theory to clients

12:55 Practical applications and techniques

30:35 Resources and further learning

** Guest Info **

Connect with Dr Rachel Lee on Linkedin

Download Rachel's polyvagal theory masterclass here

Visit Rachel's website here

Download Rachel's traffic light model here

Resources mentioned:

Our Polyvagal World : Stephen Porges and Seth Porges

Befriending Your Nervous System: Looking Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory - Deborah Dana

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals.

Is people pleasing helpful? How do you approach helping someone to understand why they are stuck in that people pleasing cycle?

In this episode, we speak with founder of Thea psychology Dr Hanne Warren. Hanne is a clinical psychologist and specialises in working with women who struggle with issues like people pleasing. Hanne shares her journey from working in the NHS to starting her private practice, focusing on the unique challenges her clients face with people-pleasing behaviours. She shares the importance of diving deep into the roots of people-pleasing, its functions, and the techniques used to help clients develop healthier coping mechanisms. From the downward arrow technique to the importance of self-compassion and body awareness, Hanne provides valuable insights and practical tools .

Highlights of the episode include:

04:02 - The essence of people-pleasing and why it happens

08:10 - Formulating and understanding client histories

15:30 - The downward arrow technique for uncovering core fears

22:45 - Techniques for building self-compassion and body awareness

30:55 - Realising the costs of people-pleasing and making change

Follow Dr Hanne warren on LinkedIn,

Follow @theapsychology on instagram

Visit theapsychology.co.uk for free resources including a fortnightly newsletter with ideas related to how to build self-worth, tackle people-pleasing and self criticism, and how to handle big feelings (sign up via the website).

Other relevant information as mentioned in this episode

Accessible and compassionate ACT training courses via ACTivating Your Practice with Dr Dawn Johnson and Dr Richard Bennett - https://activatingyourpractice.newzenler.com/

Apps:

The Self-Compassion App

Books:

ACT Made Simple - Harris

CFT Made Simple - Kolts

Experiencing Compassion-Focussed Therapy from the Inside Out - Kolts, Bell, Bennett-Levy and Irons

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr...

How do you begin your therapy sessions? Do you use specific questions or perhaps an exercise? Do you sit in silence? Do you do the same thing for everyone?

In this episode Dr Natalie Stott invites you reflect on your current session openings . Often overlooked due to routine, how we commence sessions can significantly shape the how the session develops. Drawing insights from a poll conducted among therapists, this episode explores different approaches for making the start of each session impactful and tailored to your client's needs. Natalie breaks the results from the poll into the following sections:

02:12 Self reflection

04:17 Agenda setting

07:08 Client-led beginnings

11:31 Therapist-led approaches

14:11 Mindfulness openings

17:48 Creative methods

Consider trying a new technique discussed in this episode and see how it influences your therapy practice.

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals.

Good sleep is more than just rest—it’s a foundation for mental health. But what happens when a client’s sleep is affecting their progress, even if they’re not there to address their sleep?

In this episode Dr Natalie Stott speaks with CBT-i trained clinical psychologist, Dr Stuart Sadler. With 10-30% of people experiencing sleep issues, it's crucial to be equipped with how we can support our clients. This episode explores subtle ways to support clients facing sleep struggles without it being their primary focus. They cover the effects of medication on sleep architecture and the importance of prioritising quality over quantity of sleep. The discussion also includes strategies for weaning off sleep medication and small habit changes to improve sleep, despite long-standing issues. While sleep hygiene is commonly known, Dr Sadler highlights alternative tools like sleep diaries to support clients that might be struggling.

01:58 Understanding sleep medicine

04:27 Common sleep issues and their psychological links

09:02 Impact of medication on sleep

14:34 Practical tips for improving sleep

33:15 Additional resources and training

***Guest Info***

Connect with Dr Stuart Sadler on his website https://newcastlepsychologist.co.uk or at https://yorktherapyclinic.co.uk

** Check out Mastering Therapy’s Youtube Channel for all podcast episodes **

For notification on up coming episodes and for occasional summaries of tools discussed on the podcast sign up here: www.masteringtherapy.com

To recommend a topic you’d like to hear about, or if you’d like to appear on the podcast please get in touch at www.masteringtherapy.com/guest

For private psychology services and therapy visit www.drnataliestott.com

*****

Subscribe to the Mastering Therapy Podcast YouTube channel

Follow Mastering therapy on instagram

Connect with Dr Natalie Stott on LinkedIn

Disclaimer: The Mastering therapy podcast and the information provided by Dr Natalie Stott (Dclinpsych, HPCP reg), is solely intended for informational and educational purposes and should only be used by qualified professionals.