The Therapist Presence Series: Posture and Tone of Voice

Welcome back! I took a brief break from posting due to the Jewish holidays and some family medical issues.

Before my break, I was exploring the concept of the therapist’s presence and its impact in the therapy room. Many factors influence our presence and how a client receives it. Even how we sit says so much about the energy we bring. Do we sit forward in our chair with a straight back, or lean back in a relaxed position? Each posture communicates something different, directly shaping how we speak and our tone of voice. And conversely, our tone shapes our posture.

Try this: Sit upright in your chair with your back tall and your feet firmly planted on the floor. Note the energy you feel inside. Now say aloud, “That’s interesting.” Notice your tone of voice and volume. Next, try shifting your tone to something harsher or softer. Does changing your tone prompt a change in your posture? Does a shift in your posture prompt a change in your voice tone? Are certain tones or volumes harder to use in certain positions? What do you notice as you experiment?

Are you interested in trying out these skills without any pressure, in a life-like environment? Try out TheraTrain AI. Let me know what you think!