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19. Understanding Children Through Erikson’s First Stage of Development

Connection Therapy

Release Date: 11/06/2024

43. The Psychology of Appeasement: What Dogs Teach Us About Connection show art 43. The Psychology of Appeasement: What Dogs Teach Us About Connection

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...

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42. Observing Eye Contact in Dogs for Better Connection show art 42. Observing Eye Contact in Dogs for Better Connection

Connection 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...

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41. Art and Science Combined for Better Mental Health Practice show art 41. Art and Science Combined for Better Mental Health Practice

Connection 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...

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40. Insights from Research That Transform Therapy Practice show art 40. Insights from Research That Transform Therapy Practice

Connection 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...

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39. The Research on Mimicking and Connection show art 39. The Research on Mimicking and Connection

Connection 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...

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38. Increasing Alignment in the Therapy Room: Ways to Make Sense of Differences Between Statements and Nonverbal Signals show art 38. Increasing Alignment in the Therapy Room: Ways to Make Sense of Differences Between Statements and Nonverbal Signals

Connection 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...

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37. Strengthening Relationship Patterns Through Disruption and Repair show art 37. Strengthening Relationship Patterns Through Disruption and Repair

Connection 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...

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36. How Animals Detect Human Nervous System States Through Scent show art 36. How Animals Detect Human Nervous System States Through Scent

Connection 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...

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35. Exploring Physiological Synchrony in Therapy Settings show art 35. Exploring Physiological Synchrony in Therapy Settings

Connection 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...

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34. Observing Physical Reactions to Strengthen Interventions show art 34. Observing Physical Reactions to Strengthen Interventions

Connection 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...

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More Episodes

In today’s episode, Brenda introduces Erikson’s first stage of development, Trust vs. Mistrust, and explores how to understand a child’s world beyond direct questions. This foundational stage, typically ranging from 0-18 months old, lays the groundwork for their entire emotional and cognitive development, making it essential to tune into behaviors and subtle cues rather than relying on verbal answers alone.

 

In Erikson’s model, the first stage of development — Trust vs. Mistrust — is all about creating a safe and dependable environment for a child. When children sense that their caregivers and surroundings are trustworthy, they begin to feel secure and more willing to explore, learn, and engage with others.

 

For caregivers and therapists, understanding Trust vs. Mistrust in children involves careful observation and assessment, focusing on subtle behaviors that reveal the child’s level of comfort, attachment, and sense of security.

 

Erikson’s model provides a framework for understanding child development that’s rooted in the idea of stages — each of which builds on the previous one. In the case of Trust vs. Mistrust, establishing trust is essential for all future growth. 

 

The model isn’t about specific therapeutic interventions, but rather a guide for observing developmental milestones and assessing whether a child is experiencing the security needed to reach them. 

 

References Mentioned in this Episode:

Lou Cozolino. (2024, 4th ed).  The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: Healing the Social Brain (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology). 

Anna Freud. (1946). The Psycho-Analytical Treatment of Children. New York, NY: International Univ. Press.

Erik Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development referenced in Freud and Beyond: A History of Modern Psychoanalytic Thought by Mitchell & Black (1995)

 

Bessel Van der Kolk (2015). The Body Keeps the Score.