Understanding the role of our autonomic nervous system in thedevelopment of symptoms and habitual coping strategies...

Our bodies and minds are designed to pay extra careful attention to experiences that are overwhelming or represent a threat (or even just a potential threat) to our safety and wellbeing (be it physical, emotional, relational or spiritual wellbeing).  When we feel threatened (even just a little!) our bodies and minds automatically jump into action to protect us.  Our first line of defense is to seek support and safety through social connection.  However, if that connection is not available our autonomic nervous system instantly and unconsciously signals us to fight, flee, freeze or collapse.   

Sometimes we have the needed support, resources, knowledge and power to cope successfully with overwhelming experiences.  In these cases, we emerge feeling safe, capable, supported and alive, and these experiences become comfortably integrated into a broader sense of oneself and the world. Sometimes, however, we do not have enough support, resources, knowledge or power to cope successfully with painful and overwhelming life experiences.  We respond in the very best ways we can at the time, but are left feeling ashamed, frightened, powerless, confused, or disconnected from ourselves and others.  Rather than becoming comfortably integrated into a larger sense of ourselves and the world, these experiences lead to chronic nervous system dysregulation and habituated, unconscious ways of coping.  Depression often reflects a nervous system that is stuck in a chronic state of collapse, while anxiety reflects chronic fight/flight/freeze response. 

Coping strategies and beliefs about ourself and others become formed around this chronic internal activation and dysregulation.  For example, we might come to see ourselves as not very powerful, or as damaged or unloveable in some way.  We might try to make ourselves invisible, or on the flip side - try to seem all-powerful or completely perfect.  We might become very guarded and not let others too close, put on a mask so that others can’t see our pain, constantly feel on edge and have difficulty relaxing, or use drugs, alcohol, sex or other compulsive behaviors to try to numb our pain.  

Integrating somatic, mindfulness, expressive arts and attachment focused techniques into the therapeutic process, allows the nervous system to return to a regulated stated.