92. Reading the Nervous System Through Facial Movement in Clinical Practice

Learning to improve assessment capacity is a continual journey for the practicing mental health practitioner. This episode provides a research article that endorses the clinician’s instincts and highlights ways that what is happening inside for our patient (i.e. nervous system activation, etc.) is displayed in facial movements.Brenda then adds a discussion of interventions she uses, and offers them for listeners to consider for applications in their own practices.References:Additional podcast episodes on heart rate variability: https://connection-therapy.com/playlistRachael Draaisma’s discussion about Calming Signals are in Connection Therapy episodes 48, 49, and 50Optimal HRVhttps://www.optimalhrv.com/Stephen Porges (2011). Polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation.Torres EB and Elsayed M (2026) Facial micro-movements as a proxy of increasingly erratic heart rate variability while experiencing pressure pain. Front. Neurosci. 20:1702124. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2026.1702124Attend a Course at Connection Therapy:https://connection-therapy.com/courses-and-eventsWe Want to Hear Your Feedback! Please Contribute to the Conversation: Share your thoughts on the podcast and how these concepts work in your practice, or ask a question and I’ll answer it in an upcoming episode: https://connection-therapy.com/contact-usLeave feedback or ask a question with a message on Instagram: @theconnectiontherapypodcastEnjoying the podcast?There are now playlists for you to navigate to your favorite topics: https://connection-therapy.com/playlist