Jason N Linder, PsyD & Associates

01/06/2026

Sometimes, people worry that they are "failing" therapy because they aren't making progress fast enough. They worry their therapist thinks they are being "resistant."

I wrote this article to say: Please stop blaming yourself.

Hesitation isn't usually stubbornness. It’s wisdom. It’s your nervous system’s way of saying, "I need to feel safer before I go there."

A good therapist won’t label you as resistant. They will slow down, look at the relationship, and help you feel safe enough to lower those defenses naturally.

If you're curious about why "resistance" is actually a myth, check out my latest article:

What if what therapists call client "resistance" is actually wisdom? Learn how reframing client pushback as healthy self-protection can break through therapy challenges.

12/05/2025

Imagine getting 10 full days of your life back every year. 🤯
We spend about 240 hours a year commuting. Right now, that’s time spent stressing over traffic. But what if that was time spent sleeping, reading, or catching up on Netflix?

My new psychology article explores why we resist Self-Driving Cars. https://vr5z8k2p.r.us-east-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F%2Fwww.psychologytoday.com%2Fus%2Fblog%2Fmindfulness-insights%2F202511%2Fwe-think-we-love-driving-but-we-dont/1/0100019ad6a67e66-b5c6f406-c928-42ab-9fd5-aa2c669976c6-000000/lCoSi_Wlb_YxqZUHpGo0PinnLwA=454

PS: 94% of car accidents are caused by human error. Yet, we still resist self-driving cars?!

Studies show we overestimate how much we enjoy driving. In truth, most of us would prefer to use that time for something else.

12/01/2025

What an honor!

11/25/2025

Colton is amazing! I had the privilege of consulting with him for over a year. He’s an attentive, thoughtful, attuned, diligent, deeply caring, sensitive, and skilled and ! It’s an honor and privilege to supervise and grow with him!

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