How to Help Someone with a Dysregulated Nervous System
Academy of Therapy Wisdom
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If you’d like to learn how to help someone with a dysregulated nervous system, keep reading. As therapists, we often find ourselves scrambling to help clients find balance, especially when the session is nearing its end and they still feel unsettled. The good news is that there are simple, effective techniques that can help regulate the nervous system—both for your clients and for yourself.
This blog explores the concept of a dysregulated nervous system and offers practical strategies for immediate and long-term support from an expert in the field, Linda Thai.
What is a Dysregulated Nervous System?
A dysregulated nervous system occurs when the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is unable to maintain a balanced state. This imbalance may manifest as hyperarousal (fight-or-flight) or hypoarousal (freeze-or-collapse). Individuals with a dysregulated nervous system might experience symptoms like:
Understanding the nervous system’s function is essential for guiding clients toward regulation. The polyvagal theory and the concept of the “window of tolerance” provide helpful frameworks for identifying dysregulation and addressing it effectively.
Fastest Ways to Help a Dysregulated Nervous System
When time is limited, as in the last five minutes of a session, having quick and effective techniques can make all the difference. In this video and explained below are strategies used and taught by Linda Thai that target the nervous system directly:
Index Fingers and Thumbs – Simple Hand Movements
Demonstrate a bilateral stimulation technique, such as alternating movements of the index fingers and thumbs. This can help anchor clients in the present moment and reduce dissociation.
Orienting to Release the Diaphragm
Encourage the client to orient to their surroundings, and to become aware of their space. This allows for a sense of safety to emerge, which in turn leads to a release of breath and a relaxation of the nervous system.
Self-Swaddling with a Hoodie
Using a hoodie, guide clients to create gentle pressure around their shoulders and head. This mimics the soothing effect of being swaddled, offering a sense of containment and comfort.
In the following video, Linda Thai demonstrates each of these Nervous System Hacks that she’s discovered and begun using for herself and her clients. Watch the video to see them in action:
Helping a Client Regulate Their Nervous System
While quick techniques are invaluable, long-term strategies for helping clients regulate their nervous system involve integrating body-based practices into therapy sessions. Here’s how:
Use Somatic Techniques
Many traditional approaches focus on cognitive interventions, but these may not be effective for all clients. Somatic techniques work directly with the body to address nervous system dysregulation. Examples include:
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Teach Self-Regulation Skills
Equip clients with tools they can use outside of therapy to manage acute stress or anxiety. The Somatic Hacks Linda Thai reaches in the video above are perfect examples of self-regulation techniques you can empower your clients with. As well, techniques such as bilateral stimulation, grounding exercises, and breathwork can empower clients to self-regulate in moments of distress.
Therapist Self-Care
Therapist regulation is crucial for effective co-regulation. In the moments between sessions, consider engaging in quick somatic practices to reset your own nervous system. Techniques such as orienting to space or using breathwork can enhance your presence and capacity to support clients.
Practical Techniques to Try Today
Here is a quick list of techniques you can incorporate into your practice immediately:
These techniques are simple, accessible, and effective for clients in various stages of trauma recovery or emotional overwhelm. Linda Thai has worked tirelessly to develop and test somatic hacks like these that can make a huge difference within your sessions, for therapist self-care between sessions, and for self-regulation for yourself and your clients outside of your practice.
Why Bottom-Up Approaches Work
Unlike top-down methods that rely on cognitive processing, bottom-up approaches directly engage the body to regulate the nervous system. This is particularly beneficial for clients who:
Bottom-up techniques bypass the need for intellectual engagement, allowing the nervous system to reset through direct physical intervention.
Additional Considerations for Nervous System Regulation
Cultural Sensitivity and Individual Needs
It’s important to recognize that clients come from diverse backgrounds and may have unique relationships with their bodies and nervous systems. Tailor techniques to the individual’s comfort level and cultural context. For example, some clients may find certain physical exercises unfamiliar or uncomfortable. In such cases, collaborate with the client to identify alternative strategies that feel safe and effective.
Building Client Autonomy
Teaching clients how to regulate their nervous systems is not just about providing immediate relief. It’s about empowering them with tools they can use independently. Encourage clients to practice techniques regularly so they become second nature. Over time, this builds resilience and enhances their ability to manage stress and dysregulation on their own.
Using Technology as a Supplement
Apps and wearable devices that monitor heart rate variability (HRV) can serve as useful tools for tracking nervous system regulation. While not a substitute for therapeutic techniques, they can help clients develop greater awareness of their physiological states and identify patterns of dysregulation.
Final Thoughts
Helping someone with a dysregulated nervous system doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple, body-based tools can create profound shifts in a short amount of time. Whether you’re working with a client in crisis or simply want to enhance your therapeutic toolkit, these techniques offer accessible and effective solutions.
For a deeper dive into over 30 practical nervous system regulation techniques that will show you how to help someone with a dysregulated nervous system, consider exploring Linda Thai’s course with the Academy of Therapy Wisdom. This course provides a wealth of tools that can transform your practice and empower your clients toward greater regulation and resilience.