77. Dr. Robyn Walser | Presence and Authenticity in the Therapy Room

My guest today is Dr. Robyn Walser. Robyn is a clinical psychologist, educator, and author of several influential books on ACT for professionals and general readers. She is Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and Director of Research at Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinical Services. She is also on the staff of the National Center for PTSD at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Internationally known for her compassionate, client-centered approach, Dr. Walser has been working in the field of trauma and conducting the ACT training internationally since the 1990s.

Some of the topics we explore in this episode include:

• The here and now unfolding of ACT in the therapy room

• How Robyn pays attention to function throughout a session

• Undermining therapist “rules”

• The potential downsides of bringing AI into the therapy process

• We discuss Robyn’s new book You Are Not Your Trauma

• Creative ways Robyn helps therapists cultivate their practice