Why is Self regulation therapy helpful?

We live a lot of our lives in our left brain. The logical brain, what seems to make sense. Unfortunately, sometimes we can't rationalize ourselves out of our feelings or make sense of our bodies experiences on a rational level.

In grade school we are taught our ABCs, 123s, to categorize items into shapes, colors, generalizing and slotting ideas, concepts into categories. This process makes up a lot of our school years. Cutting down information to make decisions, when problem solving, follows us throughout our schooling and into our work world.

When it comes to our bodies memories, feelings, images, sensations, cutting down information can be quite limiting. Cutting down information can lead us to a 1 dimensional view of 3 dimensional situations. We start to learn that our bodies reactions, fears, anxiety, emotional overwhelm cannot be escaped by using our logical left brain. We feel frustrated, depleted, as though our bodies reactions are against us, as though we are fighting ourselves to be who we want to be and live the life we want.

There is another choice, not as exhausting and more loving. It involves beginning the journey of tuning into our sensory selves, recognizing that our body holds memories that connect to our nervous system. These sensory memories tell us when to feel safe and when to be scared, threatened. Some of these reactions upset us, seem to make no logical sense. This is where starting to look at ourselves from a wider view helps these reactions to start to make sense. Helps us learn to regulate our emotions, our behaviour and overcome any limitations in thought and or action. We are actually very intelligent, adaptive creatures, we survive so much because of our bodies instincts. But some instincts are old and we no longer need those defenses. We are ready to learn how to let go. How to help our body to grow, our nervous system to have corrective experiences, to feel safe exploring territories once felt as threatening.

Settling into ourselves, realizing we have learned how to adapt and survive in our bodies before we even had words. Coming into alignment with the wisdom of our body along with the wisdom of our mind - this is a powerful and freeing journey.

Then we are free to utilize our resources, our energy, our intellect, our body, mind and spirit without feeling blocked, stuck, like some part of us is directing us into old patterns, old habits that no longer work for us.

This is what self regulation therapy and mindfulness are all about! Being free to move throughout the world and experience all parts of ourselves. Making sure we feel safe and connected body, mind, spirit and that we can move through our journey fully in control of ourselves, understanding who we are and what we need to feel secure, safe and ultimately free to enjoy our experiences being 100% present.

Hope this helps you understand our journey.

For more information contact Deanna Barlow