Taming the Lizard Brain

In this practical guide, Shannon Hodges draws on his 40 years of experience as counselor, clinical supervisor, consultant, author, and trainer in sharing information to help clinicians and clients in the healing journey of treating PTSD, anxiety, phobias, and stress. This book provides a comprehensive treatment approach to treating trauma as well as managing anxiety and stress and provides simple, effective techniques for overcoming trauma symptoms. It offers an efficacious, self-reflective, mindfulness-based approach to treatment. Written in workbook style, the text offers practical exercises that provide step-by-step guidance for using a mindfulness-based cognitive and narrative exercise approach within therapy. The text is supported by a strengths-based philosophy of “What has happened to you?” rather than a “What’s wrong with you?” approach to healing. It guides readers from fundamentals to provide a foundation for understanding trauma through various connected topics to enable readers or their patients to address their trauma, self-soothe, manage trauma, and more. Each chapter offers practical, self-guided exercises designed to assist the reader in addressing trauma healing, anxiety, and stress reduction in a personal manner. The text is most suitable for ages ranging from 12 years onward, with a wide range of activities involving scaling questions, fill-in-the-blanks, short writing exercises, and creative activities like the empty chair conversation, letters to your younger self and future self, forgiveness exercises, and many more. This book serves as a valuable resource for mental health professionals, clients in therapy, and former clients continuing their healing journey. It’s also beneficial for students in counseling, psychology, and social work programs. The guided, hands-on approach helps build resilience across various contexts, making it widely applicable for both clinical practice and personal development.