Episode Description
We train psychologists to think brilliantly… but no one really teaches us how to feel. In this episode we explore embodied practice in psychology, including how to manage stress, anger, burnout, trauma, and emotional overwhelm through the body rather than just the mind.I’m joined again by Dr Sunil Lad, Consultant Counselling Psychologist and NHS Clinical Director, and we discuss why many clinicians feel disconnected from their bodies and what changes when we begin to work bottom-up instead of top-down.This episode is essential for psychologists, therapists, and anyone who feels stuck in their head, overwhelmed, or unable to switch off.
⏱️ Timestamps
- 00:00 Why psychologists aren’t taught to feel
- 01:12 What is embodied practice in psychology?
- 02:18 Thinking vs feeling – getting out of your head
- 02:43 Transference, countertransference and body awareness
- 03:33 Anger, expression and safe emotional release
- 04:35 Anger vs violence – why they’re not the same
- 05:46 Compassion-focused therapy and emotional triggers
- 06:35 Checking in with your body in daily life
- 07:40 Social media, stress and nervous system activation
- 09:30 Building body awareness through movement and curiosity
- 11:54 Discomfort vs pain – learning your body’s signals
- 13:25 Why growth takes time (no quick fixes)
- 14:45 Embodiment as stress buffering for psychologists
- 15:45 Coping vs nourishing – how we regulate after hard days
- 17:11 “The body keeps the score” in clinical work
- 19:30 Bringing embodiment into supervision
- 21:00 Starting small – where to begin with embodied practice
- 22:58 Playfulness, movement and reconnecting with the body
- 24:04 Slowing down in a fast-paced world
- 25:13 Trying new experiences and building neural pathways
- 26:10 Where to find Dr Sunil Lad + his work
- 26:50 Final reflections – what stayed with me
Links:
📲 Connect with Dr Sunil Lad here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sunil-lad-89597446/
📚 Iconic Book: The Body Keeps the Score Book: https://amzn.to/3NJoY8F
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