140. Stage 2 Series: Stage 2 Rehab-What to Do When Deep Work Falls Apart

Welcome to the Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy, hosted by Drs. James Hawkins, Ph.D., LPC, and Ryan Rana, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC—Renowned ICEEFT Therapists, Supervisors, and Trainers. We're thrilled to have you with us. We believe this podcast, a valuable resource, will empower you to push the boundaries in your work, helping individuals and couples connect more deeply with themselves and each other.

Welcome back to The Leading Edge in Emotionally Focused Therapy. In this episode, Dr. James Hawkins and Dr. Ryan Rana discuss the concept of “Stage 2 Rehab” — the process of helping couples recover when deep emotional work becomes blocked, disorganized, or overwhelming.

Rather than seeing difficult sessions as failures, James and Ryan explore how moments of fear, confusion, and protective relapse often become opportunities for deeper attachment repair when therapists know how to slow down, reorganize the process, and help clients regain safety.

Why Stage 2 Work Can Collapse

Clients may not yet feel safe enough for depth

Fear often interrupts vulnerability

The caregiving system can become disoriented or blocked

Therapists sometimes move too fast for the nervous system

Stage 2 Rehab Strategies

Return to the last successful emotional step

Normalize fear and hesitation

Slow the process down