Jason N Linder, PsyD & Associates

11/16/2025

Ever notice how some people make you feel instantly understood, while others (even with good intentions) leave you feeling more alone? The difference comes down to one simple shift most people have never learned. Listeners often think 'you'll be fine' feels supportive. But it actually creates distance. As a practicing therapist of 15 years, here's why, and what works better 👇

Telling someone "don't worry" or "you'll be fine" when they're struggling isn't comfort. It's rejection in disguise.

11/07/2025

Unlock 19 game-changing Phase 2 tips for EMDR therapists! From emotional surgery analogies to dyadic resourcing for attachment wounds, Dr. Jason Linder shares creative ways to build safety & resilience. https://www.emdria.org/blog/phase-2-practice-tips-for-emdr-therapists/

10/09/2025

In a world that tells us to "toughen up" or "calm down," we often treat emotions as a burden. But what if they are our most vital guides?

My latest article below on shares 3 counterintuitive truths about emotions, backed by peer-reviewed research, that can transform how you relate to yourself and others.

Think emotions are something to control? Think again. These 3 simple truths reveal why suppression backfires, sharing helps, and connection makes all the difference.

09/17/2025

What a treat to hang out with one of my Therapy idols,, a true living legend in the field of therapy and my parents recently. ❤️

09/17/2025

09/14/2025

Was so fun to be at the conference this year! I love bumping into friends and colleagues, and always learning more! Such an honor and privilege to be part of this community!

09/10/2025

🧠 Therapists: Your model matters—but your presence matters more.

Common factors research has long shown that who you are as a therapist has a greater impact on client outcomes than what model you use.

👉 Therapy models: ~15% of outcome

👉 Therapeutic alliance: ~30% of outcome

(Lambert & Barley, 2001; Norcross & Wampold, 2019)

🧩 Clients may forget theoretical/technical formulations but not how they felt in the room with you. Were you present? Were you attuned? And for clients searching for help—don’t just look for EMDR, ​EFT, or IFS. Look for someone you can connect with.

⭐ The therapist is the intervention.

I explore this in depth in my latest Psychology Today article:

"Why Who Your Therapist Is Matters More Than the Model They Use"

[https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/relationship-and-trauma-insights/202508/who-your-therapist-is-matters-more-than-the-model-they]

08/26/2025

08/05/2025

Couple therapy isn’t the only option — especially when one partner isn’t sure they want to stay.

💡 Enter Discernment Counseling — a short-term, structured approach designed for mixed-agenda couples: one leaning out, one wanting to work it out.

In my latest post, I explain how this model offers clarity, direction, and respect for both partners — no pressure to fix what one may not want to fix.

If you're a professional working with ambivalent couples (or are one yourself), this post is for you.

Discover how discernment counseling helps couples on the brink of divorce—especially when one partner wants to separate and the other wants to stay.

07/15/2025

As a -informed  with extensive training in both Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy ( ) and , I’ve spent years studying how these two powerful modalities can work in tandem. My research, clinical work, and consultations have consistently pointed to one truth: we heal in relationships, and using them, especially when we can access the emotional injuries that keep us stuck, can accelerate healing.
In this post, I unpack the most compelling insights from my dissertation and subsequent clinical work:
Why EMDR can accelerate EFT by targeting attachment-based trauma
Why this fusion can depersonalize couple conflict and deepen emotional safety
The ongoing tension between risk and reward in using EMDR within couple dynamics
Whether you’re a seasoned trauma therapist or just beginning to explore the overlap between EMDR and EFT, this piece offers a practical lens — grounded in research — on how this complex integration can work well.

07/15/2025

As a -informed therapist with extensive training in both Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy ( ) and , I’ve spent years studying how these two powerful modalities can work in tandem. My research, clinical work, and consultations have consistently pointed to one truth: we heal in relationships, and using them, especially when we can access the emotional injuries that keep us stuck, can accelerate healing.

In this post, I unpack the most compelling insights from my dissertation and subsequent clinical work:

--Why EMDR can accelerate EFT by targeting attachment-based trauma

Why this fusion can depersonalize couple conflict and deepen emotional safety

-The ongoing tension between risk and reward in using EMDR within couple dynamics

Whether you’re a seasoned trauma therapist or just beginning to explore the overlap between EMDR and EFT, this piece offers a practical lens — grounded in research — on how this complex integration can work well.

What if the key to accelerating healing in couple therapy isn’t just in the present moment, but buried in the unresolved past?

07/07/2025

Torn between admiration and outrage over ? I am. You're not alone—and here's why I think it matters. Making sense of our tangled feelings toward polarizing public figures.

Few public figures stir as much admiration, detestation, inspiration, and frustration as Elon Musk. I’ve been fascinated by Elon Musk since learning about him in 2013, despite abhorring his sociopathic behavior, narcissistic tendencies, and his penchant for spreading misinformation and disinformat...