Neuroplasticity is defined as “the potential that the brain has to reorganize by creating new neural pathways to adapt, as it needs. Think of the neurological changes being made in the brain as the brain’s way of tuning itself to meet your needs.” WhatIsNeuroplasticity.com I hope those last few words catch your attention. What are […]
Over the last few weeks I’ve discussed how important it is to be aware of ourselves within our relationships, and especially when talking with someone else. We must learn how to be increasingly aware of our bodies, minds, and emotions as we react to others. More often than not, the hardest part about becoming aware […]
At any moment in life, we have the ability to focus our brains and become aware of our body, mind, and/or emotions. Therapist and author Rick Carson describes this as “zones of awareness.” Depending on your DNA and upbringing, you may lean toward being aware of only one of those zones at a time. Just […]
Learning how to be aware of your internal and external responses within any given relationship is an essential aspect of being present. But like most skills—and especially those connected to our well-being—practice makes perfect. Well, not perfect, but certainly better. When I’m discussing how my clients can be more present in their relationships, I talk […]
When you’re truly engaged in a conversation with another person, do you consider both your internal and external experience? The art of being present demands such heightened awareness. To deeply engage with another person is to know how you’re reacting to them, in the moment, both internally and externally. I define these levels in Chapter […]
In “The Art of Being Present,” Chapter 13 of The Stories We Tell Ourselves, I dedicate an early portion of that chapter to discussing the overlooked importance of eye contact. I asked, “When’s the last time you made prolonged, steady, and comfortable eye contact with a loved one?” Pause for a moment and think about […]
When I first heard about Marina Abramovic’s ambitious art exhibition at the New York Museum of Modern Art, I was fascinated by her attempt at something that’s becoming increasingly rare in our always-on, ever-connected-but-seldom-connecting culture: presence. Per her website, this particular “installation” required the following from Abramovic: All day, every day, from early March until […]
As I conclude this month-long blog series on the Auxano Communication Approach©, I’ll leave you with a quote from the end of Chapter 13 of The Stories We Tell Ourselves: “Remember that the ultimate goal of these steps [the Auxano Communication Approach©] is not to gain control over the relationship, but rather to see, hear, […]
For the last month, I’ve been blogging through the latter half of “Chapter 13: Toward More Connection and Fulfillment” in my book, The Stories We Tell Ourselves. That section covers the Auxano Communication Approach©, a four-step process I devised as a practicing therapist to help my clients grow their relationships in a healthy manner. While […]
Broadly speaking, the Auxano Communication Approach© benefits people because it helps them establish and maintain healthy relationships through honest truth-seeking about a situation or a relationship. But this communication approach I suggest to all of my clients has more specific benefits too: 1. The Auxano Communication Approach© suspends defensive behavior. When you’re challenged to share […]
Dr. R. Scott Gornto, PHD, MDIV, LMFT, EMDR holds a PhD in Psychotherapy, Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy and is a trained psychotherapist, counselor and peak performance coach. He is a Licensed Psychotherapist (Individual, Marriage and Family in Texas and Arizona), a EMDR Trained Trauma Therapist and has extensive training in the behavioral sciences and personal development. Dr. Gornto is in private practice and has been practicing in North Texas since 1999. He works with individuals, couples, adolescents (12 yrs old and up), families, groups, entrepreneurs/leaders and businesses from Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Prosper and Dallas and the surrounding areas. Dr. Gornto is the author of The Stories We Tell Ourselves™ and is a columnist for the Huffington Post and Psychology Today.