Analysis of Body Language in a Therapy Session with a Woman Going Through a Midlife Crisis
- Jordanthecounselor
- 14 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Welcome back to our series, Learn Therapy Microskills, where we use the science of Process Coding to analyze sessions from master therapists.
Today, we are analyzing Part 3 of our deep dive into Tori Olds, Ph.D.
There are three big themes present in this video regarding how to read the subtle language of the body:
The "Deep Sigh" of Integration – A sigh isn't always just a breath. Watch how Dr. Olds recognizes a deep sigh as a marker that the client is processing complex, often conflicting emotions (feeling good and bad at the same time). She uses this physiological cue to lean in, confirming the client is facing the core issue.
Congruence Confirms the Work – How do you know if a client is fully present? Look for congruence. In this session, when the client says she feels "sad but relieved," her facial expressions align perfectly with her words. This lack of masking is a green light that the therapeutic work is landing deeply.
Spotting "Emotional Controls" – Learn to spot the "tell" when a client is suppressing emotion. We break down specific micro-movements—the "mouth press" and the subtle swallow—that reveal a client is fighting back tears. Identifying these controls helps you know when a client is shifting from exploring a feeling to protecting themselves from it.
Watch the Breakdown
If you want to see exactly how to read these subtle cues and what to do when you see them, watch the full analysis below.
Listen here:
Jordan Harris Jordan Harris, Ph.D., LMFT-S, LPC-S, received his Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana Monroe. He is a licensed professional counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Arkansas, USA. In his clinical work, he enjoys working with couples. He also runs a blog on deliberate practice for therapists and counselors at Jordanthecounselor.com You can find him on linkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-harris-lpc-s-lmft-s-418412301/
Dr. Tori Olds Tori Olds, PHD is a licensed psychologist who has been studying experiential therapies for over twenty-five years. She specializes in the integration of experiential approaches to therapy and leads seven international training groups on this topic each week. She has a passion for translating complex psychology concepts for the public, which she does through her YouTube channel and other speaking engagements. toriolds.com/
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