Join Jeffrey Rutstein, a clinical psychologist and lead teacher of the Healing Trauma Program, as he delves into the fascinating connection between trauma and nervous system regulation. Discover how to shift from defensiveness to safety and belonging while learning about the vagus nerve and its role in emotional responses. Rutstein offers insights on transforming self-blame into self-compassion, managing emotional triggers, and practical techniques for achieving a healthier emotional state. It's an enlightening conversation about healing and integration.
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insights INSIGHT
Trauma and Dysregulation
Trauma creates lasting nervous system dysregulation, getting stuck in defensive states like fight-or-flight or shutdown.
This dysregulation impacts our ability to enjoy life, connect with others, and feel compassion.
insights INSIGHT
Sticky States
Our nervous systems quickly learn danger signs, causing automatic reactions even in safe situations.
These defensive states are designed to be "sticky," keeping us in them until we reach safety, even if the perceived danger is no longer present.
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Discerning Danger
Learn to discern if a situation is truly dangerous, as this is key to shifting out of a defensive state.
Move towards the "window of tolerance" or ventral vagal response, where you can connect without panic.
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In this book, Gabor Maté and his son Daniel Maté challenge the prevailing understanding of 'normal' health, arguing that Western medicine often neglects the impact of trauma, stress, and modern-day living on our bodies and minds. They connect the dots between individual health issues and the broader societal problems, offering a compassionate guide for health and healing. The book is based on over four decades of clinical experience and is supported by extensive scientific research, patient stories, and personal disclosures.
My grandmother's hands
Resmaa Menakem
Our understanding of the human nervous system has grown exponentially in recent years, thanks to astounding discoveries from neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory, trauma research, Attachment Theory, and other emerging fields. No longer do we see the functioning of the nervous system as an unconscious process outside of our control. Today, we know that you can actually befriend and work with your nervous system to self-regulate in the face of emotionally triggering situations, release unresolved trauma from the “stuck places” inside, and reclaim a life of integration and wholeness. Sounds True’s annual training, The Healing Trauma Program, was designed expressly for these purposes. In this podcast, Tami Simon speaks with psychotherapist and lead teacher of the program Dr. Jeffrey Rutstein.
Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on: the connection between unhealed trauma and nervous system dysregulation; raising self-awareness around your personal triggers and conditioned responses; shifting from defensiveness to feelings of safety and belonging; chronic dysregulation; accurately discerning when you’re in danger; the vagus nerve, the ventral vagal response, and the “tend and befriend” zone where we can be fully present; the interplay of genetics and your upbringing in the formation of your “go-to nervous system states”; a nervous system approach to transforming self-blame and shame into self-compassion and worthiness; three pools of energy—hyperarousal, hypoarousal, and the Window of Tolerance; the empowering firsthand experience of changing your nervous system states; why there are no “bad” nervous system states; why being in a regulated state is so critical to healthy relationships; neuroception; simple, on-the-spot techniques (or “nervous system hacks”) you can use to self-regulate, from breathwork to gentle stretching and more; the shortcomings of talk therapy; co-regulation and the social engagement zone; the four key questions of the aspiring nervous system co-regulator; severe trauma and how “the state drives the story”; meditation practice, the true self, and the inner “hijacker”; and more.
Note: This episode originally aired on Sounds True One, where these special episodes of Insights at the Edge are available to watch live on video and with exclusive access to Q&As with our guests. Learn more at join.soundstrue.com.
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