Regulate, then reflect

Regulation must precede reflection: cognitive insight fails while a nervous system is in defensive dominance.

1. Arielle Schwartz 2 Mar 2026 Clinical psychologist, EMDR consultant and yoga teacher in Boulder, Colorado Polyvagal theory provided me with a coherent framework for understanding why cognitive insight alone often fails when a nervous system is in defensive dominance. In such states, higher-order cortical processes are functionally constrained. ↗Clinical Reflections on the Critique on Polyvagal Theory proposed by Grossman et al., (2026)drarielleschwartz.com · 2 Mar 2026

   Their wordsPolyvagal theory provided me with a coherent framework for understanding why cognitive insight alone often fails when a nervous system is in defensive dominance. In such states, higher-order cortical processes are functionally constrained.

   ↗Clinical Reflections on the Critique on Polyvagal Theory proposed by Grossman et al., (2026)drarielleschwartz.com

   2 Mar 2026

The first step in regulating stress is to identify and put words to your feelings.

1. Esther Perel 21 Apr 2020 Belgian-American psychotherapist and author of Mating… The first step in stress-regulation is our ability to identify and articulate our feelings, whether it’s to ourselves, our diaries, or our loved ones. ↗What Is This Feeling? Anticipatory Grief and Other New Pandemic-Related Emotionsestherperel.com · 21 Apr 2020

   Their wordsThe first step in stress-regulation is our ability to identify and articulate our feelings, whether it’s to ourselves, our diaries, or our loved ones.

   ↗What Is This Feeling? Anticipatory Grief and Other New Pandemic-Related Emotionsestherperel.com

   21 Apr 2020

Naming the parts of a vague distress is crucial to coping with it.

1. Esther Perel 21 Apr 2020 Belgian-American psychotherapist and author of Mating… Breaking it down into parts—and giving those parts names—is crucial to our health, safety, and sanity. ↗What Is This Feeling? Anticipatory Grief and Other New Pandemic-Related Emotionsestherperel.com · 21 Apr 2020

   Their wordsBreaking it down into parts—and giving those parts names—is crucial to our health, safety, and sanity.

   ↗What Is This Feeling? Anticipatory Grief and Other New Pandemic-Related Emotionsestherperel.com

   21 Apr 2020

Better communication between the brain's left and right hemispheres improves a person's ability to recognize and express their emotions.

1. Arielle Schwartz 21 Aug 2024 Clinical psychologist, EMDR consultant and yoga teacher in Boulder, Colorado When the brain is able to communicate between the left and right hemispheres, you are better able to recognize your emotions and communicate them to others. ↗Brain and Body Integration for Trauma Recoverydrarielleschwartz.com · 21 Aug 2024All korrents from this piece

   Their wordsWhen the brain is able to communicate between the left and right hemispheres, you are better able to recognize your emotions and communicate them to others.

   ↗Brain and Body Integration for Trauma Recoverydrarielleschwartz.com

   21 Aug 2024

If you do not accept your own feelings you cannot connect with other people's, and may shut them down.

Mental modelEmpathy and validation

1. Esther Perel 21 Apr 2020 Belgian-American psychotherapist and author of Mating… if you are not aware and accepting of your own feelings, then you won’t connect with the feelings of the people around you. You may even shut them down because you don’t allow your own. ↗What Is This Feeling? Anticipatory Grief and Other New Pandemic-Related Emotionsestherperel.com · 21 Apr 2020

   Their wordsif you are not aware and accepting of your own feelings, then you won’t connect with the feelings of the people around you. You may even shut them down because you don’t allow your own.

   ↗What Is This Feeling? Anticipatory Grief and Other New Pandemic-Related Emotionsestherperel.com

   21 Apr 2020

With complex trauma, EMDR needs resource development and careful pacing so clients feel safe in the present.

1. Arielle Schwartz by 12 May 2017 Clinical psychologist, EMDR consultant and yoga teacher in Boulder, Colorado Therapists must emphasize the importance of resource development and careful pacing of EMDR Therapy so that clients feel safe in the present moment. ↗EMDR Therapy for Complex PTSDdrarielleschwartz.com · by 12 May 2017

   Their wordsTherapists must emphasize the importance of resource development and careful pacing of EMDR Therapy so that clients feel safe in the present moment.

   ↗EMDR Therapy for Complex PTSDdrarielleschwartz.com

   by 12 May 2017

Successful trauma treatment requires building tolerance for the emotions and body sensations that accompany the memories.

1. Arielle Schwartz by 12 May 2017 Clinical psychologist, EMDR consultant and yoga teacher in Boulder, Colorado A successful treatment outcome requires that you build tolerance for the emotions and body sensations that accompany traumatic memories. ↗EMDR Therapy for Complex PTSDdrarielleschwartz.com · by 12 May 2017

   Their wordsA successful treatment outcome requires that you build tolerance for the emotions and body sensations that accompany traumatic memories.

   ↗EMDR Therapy for Complex PTSDdrarielleschwartz.com

   by 12 May 2017