We can only begin to heal from the ‘submit’ response when we are out of the abusive environment that caused it. Safety is the main priority, and if we are not safe, our nervous system is not safe to relax …
Healing a Fawn Response
As adults, it can evoke a lot of shame as we witness ourselves becoming dependent on our partners and accepting more and more bad behaviour, or when we find ourselves burnt out because it is too difficult to put boundaries …
How the Nervous System Can Get Stuck in a Trauma Response
I think of healing as a holistic process, including the nervous system as part of the mind, body, spirit triad. When we are stuck in hyper or hypo arousal, the aim is to come into regulation and the ‘window of …
10 Ways the FAWN Response Might Show up in Relationships
The Fawn response can be exhausting. We can use up a lot of energy trying to stay connected to feel safe in the relationship. Sometimes to our detriment. It can be challenging to get enough objectivity to make a rational …
The Fawn Response Explained
A fawn response might lead us to have co-dependent relationships where we sacrifice our needs to maintain the relationship. What are the hallmarks of co-dependency? Saying yes, when you want to say no Having to hide parts of yourself to …
The FAWN Response
The Fawn Response Explained The fawn response occurs when a child tries to please someone who is both their caregiver AND a source of threat to stay safe and loved. When parents are abusive or neglectful, the child learns to …
Complex PTSD Explained
What you need to know about Complex PTSD. Did you know that Complex PTSD is often misdiagnosed as PTSD or Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)? CPTSD develops when there has been neglect, abuse, severe bullying or torture. When there is exposure …
1 Simple Tool to Counter a Fight or Flight Trauma Response
SOMETHING TO DO EVERY DAY You might like to practice this exercise daily so you get used to the feeling of this breath. At first, it might feel strange, like you are straining. This is why it is good to …
International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
I see you. I can only imagine the pain you have experienced. The trauma involved. What your body went through to be a home to this child. And then the loss. The shattering of a dream, the baby’s room lying …
7 Tips for Healing the Fight Trauma Response
The fight response is my ‘go to’ trauma response. Over the years it has kept me safe AND got me into trouble a few times. We all have a ‘go to’ trauma response. Given the situation we found ourselves in …