Blog

Emotional Regulation

Oct 12, 2022 | Blog

Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation is the ability to re-regulate your nervous system when it is in a state of fight, flight, freeze or fawn.

These stress responses are responsible for keeping us safe, however  if not re-regulated it can affect many areas of our lives. For instance if someone is in a fawn response their default in a conflict is to people please, while it’s a smart tactic in this state we abandon ourselves ( this can include our boundaries, needs and so on).

Emotional regulation will look different depending on which stress response is activated. Thus, use the sample below for some tips and tricks to re-regulate based on which stress response was activated:

Fight: In this state we are irritable and it can be difficult to self-soothe. Thus, when in this state it’s best to leave a situation to re-regulate. This can be going for a walk, taking some deep breaths or journaling as this would slow down your thinking to help you think clearer and calmer.

strong>Flight: In this state it’s when we are overwhelmed and we want to flee or run away from a stressful situation. A great practice for this stress response is to observe. Observation is a mindfulness practice; it can help us recognize our experience without judgment so one can move through it. In addition, journaling also can be a great tool to help validate your experience and to recognize the triggers which were present.

Freeze: Freeze is a state when one becomes immobilized it can feel like it’s too much or too overwhelming to push through, thus the nervous system shuts down to help you cope. In this state it’s best move; this can be moving from side to side, squeezing and releasing areas of your body or going for a walk. Once the nervous system re-regulates you can think about the trigger and get curious. Curiosity is when you are able to work through it.

Fawn: In this state the individual attempts to please people to keep peace in a situation. For this exercise it’s all about setting boundaries in the future. A great way to do this is to consider emotional, physical and spiritual boundaries to identify what you are comfortable with. When you are clear on your boundaries it will be easier to set them if a breach occurs.

Emotional regulation is key to your wellbeing; if your stress response is regulated you will be able to tackle and handle stressful situations with ease (this is often referred to as growing your window of tolerance).

Thank you for reaching out.
At present, I am at full capacity and unable to take on new clients immediately.

To ensure the highest quality of treatment and care for all my clients, I maintain a wait list for those interested in starting therapy with me.

Wait List Information
Estimated Wait Time: While it is difficult to predict the exact wait time, it is currently estimated to be between 3-6 months. However, availability may open up sooner than anticipated.

Join the Wait List: If you would like to join the wait list, please complete the form below.

    Before scheduling your first appointment, I will reach out to arrange a complimentary consultation. This session will help us determine if we are a good fit for each other and discuss your needs and goals for therapy.

    Thank you for your understanding and patience. I look forward to the possibility of working together in the future.

    RP (Qualifying) psychotherapists are registrants of CRPO. They have completed or are nearing completion of their psychotherapy training. They are legally authorized to perform the controlled act of psychotherapy and are required to practise with clinical supervision as they gain experience in the profession.