16. Transference in Therapy: How Animals Help Us Understand Non-Verbal Cues
Release Date: 09/25/2024
Connection Therapy
In this episode of the Connection Therapy Podcast, Dr. Brenda Murrow explores how understanding animal behavior—especially in dogs—can deepen our insight into human communication and relationships. Dr. Murrow reflects on her own experience learning French and how it made her more aware of cultural nuances in language—particularly terms of endearment. Something as simple as the word “sweetheart,” which might feel universal, actually varies widely depending on context and culture. This realization led her to consider how observing other species could offer a fresh perspective on human...
info_outlineConnection Therapy
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to reflect on what helps us feel seen, safe, and connected. And sometimes, the most powerful connection doesn’t need words at all. It begins with eye contact. In this episode, Brenda reflects on the power of eye contact and what it tells us about connection, safety, and trust—both in our relationships with people and with animals. We often think of eye contact as a simple social skill, but it’s so much more than that. It plays a key role in human development, emotional regulation, and communication. And as Brenda shares, it appears it may...
info_outlineConnection Therapy
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 5 U.S. adults and 1 in 6 children experience mental health challenges each year. And, 122 million people live in areas with a shortage of mental health professionals, highlighting a critical gap in care. This is why Brenda is passionate about podcasting on mental health—both to raise awareness and provide resources for practitioners in the field, creating a community of professionals committed to this important work. While Brenda often discusses science-based interventions, she’s also drawn to the "art" of psychology—the...
info_outlineConnection Therapy
In this episode, Brenda takes a step back to reflect on several of her recent research-based episodes—and how what she’s learned is continuing to shape the way she practices. Revisiting past studies has helped her see just how much of what we do in the therapy room is grounded in awareness, relationship, and presence. Across these episodes, one theme kept surfacing: we’re always in communication, even when nothing is being said. Posture, silence, pacing, eye contact—these all play a role in how connection is built. Reflecting on that has reminded Brenda to slow down and stay attuned to...
info_outlineConnection Therapy
There are so many things that influence a therapy session—and not all of them are spoken. In this episode, Brenda is continuing the exploration into the less obvious dynamics that shape the therapeutic relationship. Encouragement, presence, attunement—they’re all part of the work. But there are also layers we don’t always consciously notice. One of those layers is mimicking. Brenda walks us through the research that supports this—multiple studies showing that when someone is subtly mimicked through facial expressions, posture, or gestures, they often report that the interaction felt...
info_outlineConnection Therapy
In therapy, we often listen closely to what’s being said—but what’s not being said can sometimes offer even more insight. A client may describe their week as “fine” or say they’re “managing,” but their body is heavy, their eyes are downcast, and their facial expressions suggest something else entirely. This kind of misalignment—between verbal language and nonverbal signals—isn’t uncommon. In today’s episode, Brenda explores what’s happening when someone’s internal emotional state doesn’t match how they present on the outside. Brenda brings in the foundational work...
info_outlineConnection Therapy
In today’s episode, Brenda explores how relationships—whether with clients in our professional lives or in our personal lives—are strengthened not by perfection, but by disruption and repair. Drawing from Beebe and Lachmann’s 1994 paper, she explains how the concept of a "good enough therapist" and the ability to repair mistakes is essential in building trust and deepening connections. Beebe and Lachmann’s paper identifies three core principles that enhance relationships: ongoing regulations, disruption and repair, and heightened affective moments. Their work shows that there’s no...
info_outlineConnection Therapy
Brenda has often shrugged off the question, “Can horses really smell fear?” But in this episode, she takes a closer look—and the research is fascinating. When someone walks into their first equine session feeling nervous, it’s not just body language the horse is picking up on. There’s now scientific evidence that animals, including horses, can detect chemosignals—part of the odors released through human sweat that reflect emotional states like fear or calm. One study Brenda shares involves a group of 40 retrievers exposed to human body odor samples. The dogs responded differently...
info_outlineConnection Therapy
By exploring the latest research on how our nervous systems interact—whether between humans or across species—Brenda aims to provide therapists with the knowledge to deepen their connections with clients and improve therapeutic outcomes. In recent podcast episodes, Brenda has explored how physiological interactions, both between humans and animals, can impact therapeutic outcomes. Through research on heart rate variability (HRV) and the autonomic nervous system, she reveals new ways therapists can enhance client connections and regulation during therapy. Earlier episodes laid the...
info_outlineConnection Therapy
Mental and physical health don’t operate in isolation; they influence each other in profound ways. Stress, anxiety, and emotional distress often manifest physically, whether through muscle tension, changes in posture, or even pupil dilation. But what do we do with this information as therapists? Understanding these real-time physical responses can provide deeper insight into a client’s emotional state and the effectiveness of our interventions. Eye movements, pupil dilation, and facial expressions offer powerful clues about what’s happening internally. Research from nonverbal...
info_outlineAnimals have a unique ability to signal non-verbally, reflecting our internal emotional states. By learning to interpret these signals, therapists can enhance their effectiveness and deepen their understanding of clients.
In today’s episode Brenda highlights transference—the phenomenon where feelings about one person are unconsciously redirected to another. This is especially relevant in therapy settings, where non-verbal cues can reveal much about a client's emotional landscape.
Understanding transference is crucial for therapists. For instance, when a child enters a therapy session, their emotional state can be influenced by their surroundings. If the waiting area feels unsafe, the child may carry anxiety and fear into the session, which can be reflected in their body language and facial expressions.
Brenda notes that these emotions can create a feeling tone that transfers across the room. A child might perceive an adult as threatening simply due to a misread of non-verbal cues. In this way, the child’s relational patterns—shaped by previous experiences—can impact their current interactions.
Brenda emphasizes that animals help illuminate these non-verbal patterns of relationships. Animals play a critical role in enhancing our understanding of transference. By observing the interactions between children and therapy animals, we can uncover important emotional patterns and relational dynamics.
Incorporating animals into therapeutic settings offers a powerful way to explore emotional states and non-verbal communication. As we learn to interpret these interactions, we pave the way for deeper understanding and healing.
Connect with Brenda with the link below
www.connectiontherapypodcast.com
Follow Brenda on Instagram @theconnectiontherapypodcast
References Mentioned in this Episode:
Jung, C.G. (1989). Memories, dreams, reflections. (A. Jaffé, Ed., R. & C. Winston, Trans.). New York, NY: Vintage Books. (Original work published 1963). p. 212.
Jung, C. G. (1985). The Practice of psychotherapy (H. Read et al., Eds.), The collected works of C. G. Jung (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.) (Vol. 16). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. (Original work published 1929). p. 61.
McWilliams, N. (1999). Psychoanalytic case formulation. Guilford Press. P. 106.
Panksepp, J. (2009). Brain emotional systems and qualities of mental life: From animal models of affect to implications for psychotherapeutics. In D. Fosha, D. J., Siegel, & M. F. Solomon (Eds.), The healing power of emotion: Affective neuroscience, development & clinical practice (pp. 1-26). New York, NY: Norton.
Stephen Porges (2011). Polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. pp. 12-17.