The role of co-regulation in healing

We are social creatures. From very early on we crave and need connection. Secure attachment to our caregivers is an essential requirement for healthy development of all human beings.

An element that is interwoven with anyone’s traumabiography is the absence of an empathetic witness. Peter Levine’s famous quote summarises this precisely: 

“ Trauma is not what happens to you, but what happens inside of you in the absence of an empathetic witness”. 

Feeling safe in the presence of an empathetic witness who has a regulated nervous system is a crucial part of the puzzle in your healing journey. 

Co-regulation is the phenomenon of nervous systems coming into regulation while reading off one another through mirror neurons and other systems in the body that support this process. 

If you feel too unsafe with other humans it’s also possible to start experimenting with pets, other animals and the aliveness of nature. Then when you feel ready, you can start making small steps towards co-regulating with other humans. 

I invite you to start somewhere. It’s a well worth journey to take. It also helps you come out of your own head and bring more of yourself out in the world in connection with others. 

If you feel curious in exploring co-regulation with other humans in a safe space, I have bi-monthly online group sessions. 

In this group we do even more than just co-regulation. We go into deep healing, baseline regulation, somatics and reflex integration. But you will for sure get a taste of co-regulation, as you will be surrounded by other lovely humans who are doing the deep work just like you. 

Feel free to check my upcoming groups in my bio. Next one will be today, Wednesday, the 31st of January. 

Previous experience is not needed. Come as you are. 
I would love to see you there with us. ☺️