Working through trauma can trigger many perceived threats for our clients.
They might start to breath rapidly and find it hard to hold still, or perhaps they start to freeze up during the session.
So what are some practical ways to calm the nervous system and keep a client grounded – especially when they begin to freeze?
Bethany Brand, PhD will walk you through 5 strategies in the video below. Have a listen.
Click here for full transcript
It can be very challenging when a client freezes in a session – that’s why it’s critical to have a full toolkit of strategies to help them mobilize and feel grounded again.
Now we’d like to hear from you. What have you found most helpful when working with a client who freezes up during a session? Let us know in the comments below.
If you found this helpful, here are a few more resources you might be interested in:
[Infographic] How to Differentiate Between the Freeze and Shutdown Trauma Responses
Working with the Freeze Response in the Treatment of Trauma with Stephen Porges, PhD
When a Client Is Stuck in the Freeze Response, with Peter Levine, PhD
Thank you. So simple, yet so profound.
Excellent, practical, beneficial!!!
Like this a lot! It’s important to distinguish between entering into hyperarousal and entering into freeze, and using different strategies accordingly. I love the idea of the hidden movement— this idea had never occurred to me before but it makes good empathic sense. I think it also accommodates the shame that accompanies trauma for so many of us. Being allowed to keep something private, keep it to yourself, yet not abandoning the client in their distress— what a good idea.
This description sounds like powerful empathy and superb pacing. I think I can learn something important from it.
Does the freeze necessarily always have the fast breathing? What Are your thoughts about when it is Accompanied with the held breath, or slower or interrupted breathing? Thank you.
Thank you – this is very useful
Very helpful…thank you
Beautiful! Thank you!
Extraordinary simple content and way to deliver it! Thanks!
Usually we hear about dealing with fight or flight, but very seldom about the frozen state
I also wonder how this might be a parallel to a state of “being stuck” on a daily basis during longer periods of time (weeks, months or even years)?
Beatriz
Aha! Yes, it seems that may be a direct correlation.
The freezing response is interesting in that the patient is seemingly trying as the video emphasizes to become invisible. I would like them to remember a time when they liked a certain amount of attention, then feel into that more and more stressing relaxation all the while and grounding!
What you describe as “frozen” may also mean that they are entering a natural trance state which can be fully passive and that is terrific because now you can dialogue with their Higher Self.
Shelley Stockwell-Nicholas, PhD
I understand frozen as appearing inactive (passive), yet in reality is very actively defensive, not the least bit passive.
I don’t think in all cases it is a defensive response, although it can look that way, I think it may be a way of opening up to the therapist in the only safe way that is known at that time for that part of the traumatized self.
I agree with your statement, however, the “Higher Self” may be a dissociated younger self coming forth and testing the waters.
wonderful “environmental” awareness tips. Breathing awareness often is my go to. Particularity with the telehealth system the initial tips offered are very helpful
Very helpful. Yesterday my puppy, who has been triggering my childhood trauma and freeze with her aggressive play biting, punctured my arthritic hand. It was incredibly painful. I was shocked at my response. I freaked and froze. Inside I was jittering, close to a breakdown! The naming and describing three things, even to myself, would have led me out of it. I will remember this tool. Thank you.
These are techniques that I’ve used for a long time; but I must say your presentation was absolutely beautifully done. Bravo
What a fabulous teacher you are! Would love to do training with you! Never mind have you as my Therapist. I knew everything you said however how to use it as you walked us through was amazing and unforgettable. Thank You! And my future clients thank you.
Dr. Brand, I thank you so much for your descriptions and your gentle techniques. This is the first time I’ve ever seen anyone talk so clearly about the frozen state. Can’t thank you enough.
Excellent grounding strategies.
Your approaches are so clearly integrated with the somatic touchstones. Thank you from my experience breathing is not always neutral, Ivan be triggering…. mindfully noticing sounds or simply noticing your fingers, eac finger can be grounding for some people. Thank you, Esther
This is really useful and practical. thank you
Very helpful indeed. Much thanks
So helpful
Thank you
Knowing my Frozen lasted up to 3 hrs in the past her remarks would make me feel terribly nervous, unloved, unaccepted. What works is a safe place, outside the office, alone, a chair, where i can just let the Frozen melt in its own pace. My dentist, one of my worst traumatriggers, has put a picture of his 5 dogs, heads only, put up at the ceiling. It connects me to his dogs, his love for them as well as to my own 3 dogs. I am an extreme empath, which according to Peter Levine happens to patients with prenatal trauma a lot. Connecting to personal emotional states of a therapist, knowing f. i. she is a mother who was pregnant and birthed children works.
Bethany Brand .. your expression is ….. spacious .. you moved me to almost tears by the end …… that sensation one gets when one …… deeply witnesses .. how somebody else is in tune with ….. deep lifelong terror. …… I use the word terror as that it what I have been consumed by ….. a long time.
.. to be honest am .. so unresolved, so wearily pre-frightened, flooded with terror taking over my body as normal .. when someone even mentions breath work.
I just ….. go. Like, having ones whole body dispersed at a molecular level, the energy is all, the energy at dispersal is total, instant, heart pounding, skin weird, inside flesh taking over any brain like rational anything.
All gone.
This is survival, and its obvs. not just in the therapy room, but in the every day …… very scary.
I drank for many years just try and .. be normal.
The way you talk in this video, it is …..very noticeablethat you notice .. that is what stops me in my tracks and …… allows .. for the fact that this stuff is real.
Thank You.