When we think about healing, we often focus on the mind—our thoughts, emotions, and patterns of behavior. But healing is not just about the mind; it’s deeply rooted in the body, particularly in our nervous system. If you’ve ever felt stuck in cycles of anxiety, stress, or emotional overwhelm, you may have experienced what it’s like when the nervous system is dysregulated.
As a therapist, I believe it’s essential to work with—not against—the nervous system in the process of healing. But what exactly does this mean? And why is nervous system regulation such a crucial part of therapy?
What is the Nervous System?
The nervous system is our body’s command center. It processes everything we experience, from external stimuli (like sights, sounds, and interactions with others) to internal states (like emotions, thoughts, and bodily sensations). It’s made up of two main parts:
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The Central Nervous System (CNS) – This includes the brain and spinal cord, which process information and control most bodily functions.
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The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) – This includes nerves that branch out to the rest of the body and regulate how we respond to our environment.
Within the PNS, we have the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which plays a vital role in emotional and physiological regulation. It has two branches:
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The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) – Known as the “fight or flight” system, it activates in response to stress or danger. It’s responsible for increasing heart rate, preparing the muscles for action, and releasing stress hormones.
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The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) – Known as the “rest and digest” system, it helps us relax, restore, and heal. This system is crucial for emotional regulation and well-being.
When our nervous system is balanced, we move fluidly between activation (taking action, responding to challenges) and relaxation (resting, connecting, and feeling safe). But when our nervous system becomes dysregulated—due to trauma, chronic stress, or overwhelming experiences—we can get stuck in a constant state of hyperarousal (anxiety, panic, overactivity) or hypoarousal (numbness, dissociation, shutdown).
Why Nervous System Regulation is Essential in Therapy
Traditional talk therapy has long focused on cognitive processing—changing thoughts and behaviors. While this can be incredibly helpful, many people find that talking alone doesn’t always lead to deep healing. That’s because trauma, stress, and emotional pain are stored in the body, in the nervous system.
When we incorporate nervous system regulation into therapy, we help clients:
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Recognize their body’s signals – Understanding how their nervous system responds to stress, safety, and connection.
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Shift out of survival states – Learning to move from “fight or flight” or shutdown into a regulated, balanced state.
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Develop resilience – Increasing their ability to handle stress and emotional challenges without becoming overwhelmed.
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Reclaim safety in the body – Especially important for those who have experienced trauma, as reconnecting to the body is a key part of healing.
Therapeutic Approaches That Support the Nervous System
Many therapeutic modalities focus on nervous system regulation, including:
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Somatic Experiencing (SE) – A body-based approach that helps release stored trauma by completing interrupted stress responses.
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Polyvagal Theory-Based Therapy – Uses an understanding of the vagus nerve to help clients regulate emotions and feel safer in relationships.
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Breathwork – Conscious connected breathing and other breathwork techniques help shift the nervous system from stress states to calm and regulation.
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Mindfulness and Embodiment Practices – Practices like meditation, gentle movement, and grounding techniques help bring awareness to the body and promote regulation.
Final Thoughts: The Nervous System as a Pathway to Healing
By working with the nervous system in therapy, we acknowledge that healing is not just about changing thoughts—it’s about creating safety and balance in the body. Whether through breathwork, somatic techniques, or nervous system education, learning how to regulate our nervous system can be profoundly life-changing.
If you’ve ever felt like therapy hasn’t quite reached the root of your struggles, working with the nervous system might be the missing piece. It’s not about forcing healing—it’s about learning to listen to our body, trust its signals, and find safety within ourselves again.
