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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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_outlineMental health is a complex and essential part of our lives, but many people overlook how many ways we can improve it. Therapy is often the go-to solution, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. So, what does mental health really mean, and how can we know when we’ve made progress?
This week, Brenda has been reflecting on these big questions and exploring what mental health and healing truly look like. As she dug deeper into this, she wanted to go back to the basics and examine the core ideas behind mental health itself.
Brenda looked to the American Psychological Association (APA) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an organization dedicated to supporting those affected by mental health challenges. These organizations see mental health as emotional well-being, the ability to cope with daily stresses, and form meaningful relationships. Essentially, it’s about living life in a balanced way, being able to function in work, school, and at home without feeling overwhelmed.
But what about healing? When someone is struggling with their mental health, how can they return to balance? NAMI reminds us that mental health challenges are very common—one in five adults and one in six children face mental health issues each year.
Brenda also thought about how to improve mental health when professional help is hard to come by. Nearly half the US population lives in areas without enough mental health professionals. This makes it even more crucial to know that there are steps people can take on their own to improve mental health before seeking out a professional. Regular exercise, eating well, staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and practicing gratitude can make a big difference. Building social connections is another important factor. Staying connected with others helps improve emotional well-being and can prevent isolation.
Brenda reminds listeners that healing isn’t always linear, but there are things we can all do to feel better and live with more balance.
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References:
American Psychological Association (APA)
https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health
Jaak Panksepp(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.
Allan Schore, https://www.allanschore.com/