Modern understanding of therapy increasingly centers on the nervous system — specifically, the chronic dysregulation that underlies many therapy presentations.
The Nervous System in Therapy
The autonomic nervous system has two primary states relevant to therapy:
Sympathetic activation ('fight or flight'): When chronically activated, drives anxiety-type therapy
Parasympathetic ('rest and digest'): The recovery state — undermined by therapy
Dorsal vagal shutdown: A third state — freeze/collapse — associated with depression-type therapy
Signs of Nervous System Dysregulation in Therapy
Chronic hyperarousal (always 'on edge'), difficulty relaxing even in safe environments, and feeling perpetually exhausted despite rest.
Regulating the Nervous System for Therapy
- Breathwork: Directly activates the parasympathetic nervous system
- Cold exposure: Controlled cold activates the vagus nerve, improving therapy
- Safe social engagement: Co-regulation through trusted relationships
- Movement: Discharges sympathetic activation accumulated in therapy