Have you ever had the sense that your body remembers things your mind would rather forget? Many people come to therapy feeling like they’ve done all the “right” things, they’ve talked about the past, tried to understand their patterns, maybe even forgiven others, and...
Sometimes we carry feelings that don’t seem to have a clear origin. A deep anxiety that’s hard to explain, a heavy sadness that doesn't match our own story, or patterns in relationships that repeat even when we try to change them. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I...
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) refer to painful or traumatic events that occur during childhood (before the age of 18). These can range from emotional or physical abuse, to neglect, to witnessing violence or living with a parent who is struggling with addiction...
For those who have experienced trauma, the mind and body can hold memories in ways that aren’t always easy to understand. One of the most disorienting and distressing experiences trauma survivors may face is the flashback. This term is often used in conversation and...
When we think about trauma, we often associate it with emotional pain, flashbacks, or mental distress. While these are indeed hallmarks of trauma, there’s another critical aspect often overlooked: the way trauma embeds itself in the body. Trauma doesn’t just live in...
Why We Need to Understand the Role of the Vagus Nerve in Trauma Recovery Therapy and Why the Vagus nerve exercises are only a part of Recovery from Trauma. Understanding the role of the vagus nerve in trauma recovery is a vital aspect of the holistic healing approach...
PTSD is often associated with military veterans returning from war zones - however - PTSD often refers to one major traumatic incident so could be anything that traumatises someone eg a car accident or some other major or shocking incident. Complex PTSD refers to a...
It can be supportive to understand that physical sensations are associated with the emotions we may be experiencing, as with trauma we may lose our sense of feelings (due to dissociation). Locating what you are feeling in your body helps to ground your emotions in...
What is a Vagus Nerve? The vagus nerve is the primary neural pathway for the parasympathetic nervous system (our rest and digest pathway). It is one of the twelve cranial nerves (skull nerves) responsible for our basic survival, homeostasis, and social engagement. The...
This exercise is really good if you are out and about as you can do this unobtrusively by just sitting at a table or leaning against a wall or tree. Ground your Energy Using the Four Paws Exercise – o Have both feet flat on the floor and deepen your breathing o Feel...
Understanding the intricate workings of our nervous system can be a powerful tool in managing anxiety and trauma. This eBook aims to explore the Autonomic Nervous System through the lens of Polyvagal Theory and provide practical exercises and techniques to help ground your energy, manage repetitive thoughts, and strengthen your vagus nerve for better mental health.
‘‘Linda has encouraged me and opened my mind so I can now see problems and solve them for myself. I could never have done that before meeting her.’’