Healing Trauma

Can focusing on body sensations lead to more nervous system dysregulation?

2024-07-20T10:06:31-07:00Healing Trauma, Mental Health & Neuroplasticity, Nervous System Health, Nervous System Resiliency, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Today’s share is another in my series of short vlogs to address specific questions, like this one: "Can focusing on sensations also lead to even more dysregulation (i.e., focusing on the breath when in freeze, focussing on butterflies in tummy when hyperaroused) because it kind of emphasizes the [...]

A simple visual story to explain integration

2024-07-28T15:04:34-07:00Healing Trauma, Healthy Nervous System Lifestyle, Irene's Musings, Nervous System Health, Nervous System Resiliency, SmartBody SmartMind, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

I will be speaking more about integration this year, and here’s why: Integration is now another word being thrown around out there in the trauma, somatic, and plant medicine worlds. And yet it seems a lot of folks are downright confused about what it actually means. Here are [...]

The double-edged sword of Rx meds for “healing” ADD with Selden Beylouni

2024-07-06T14:47:11-07:00Chemical Trauma & Detox, Healing Trauma, Healthy Nervous System Lifestyle, Mental Health & Neuroplasticity, Nervous System Health, Nervous System Resiliency, Parenting & Child Development, pharmaceuticals, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Today, I’ve got a NEW interview with SBSM alum, Selden Beylouni to share and it is JUICY. :) So set aside some time for this one, grab a cuppa, and dive into our multi-layered chat! A few highlights from our conversation: Selden’s “long-term relationship” with stimulant meds (and [...]

The connection between concussion recovery & healing shock trauma

2024-06-26T14:41:25-07:00Healing Trauma, Nervous System Health, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Today’s share offers a physiological perspective on the impact of traumatic brain injury. In other words: how this kind of shock trauma can affect much more than just the brain, head, and neck, and how – when done with awareness – nervous system and somatic work can help [...]

Two things that set SmartBody SmartMind (SBSM) apart from other ‘similar’ programs

2025-07-09T03:25:17-07:00Healing Trauma, Nervous System Health, Parenting & Child Development, Relationships & Social Connection, SmartBody SmartMind|

I just LOVE what Gary Vaynerchuck says in this clip: In a nutshell… The interviewer shares the saying, “Behind every successful man, there is a strong woman,” and asks Gary if he agrees with it. Here’s what he says in reply: “Yes, I do, [...]

Have we “hijacked” the vagus nerve?

2024-06-26T10:29:07-07:00Healing Trauma, Healthy Nervous System Lifestyle, Nervous System Health, Nervous System Resiliency, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Today’s share is all about the vagus nerve and how it connects to nervous system regulation. There’s a virtual maelstrom of information and advice about the vagus nerve available online, not to mention devices to stimulate and "tone" this entire nerve, so as to regulate and "heal" it [...]

Marathon Q&A with Irene Lyon

2024-06-16T00:43:40-07:00Healing Trauma, Mental Health & Neuroplasticity, Pain & Chronic Illness, Special Topic Lectures & Q&As, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

Today, I’ve got a Marathon Q&A for you. But it’s more than just another Q&A amongst the many (so many!) that I’ve done over the years. I’m sharing this particular Q&A at this particular time for a specific reason (more on that below)...  First, a couple quick notes [...]

How a lack of natural play connects to trauma & nervous system healing

2024-06-05T07:45:03-07:00Healing Trauma, Movement. Awareness., Nervous System Health, Parenting & Child Development|

One of the strongest memories I have in recent years is connected to natural play: I remember being in an open movement space at a retreat centre, moving around on the floor and ‘playing’ with my body, its movements: twisting, flexing, extending, crawling, crouching...  I would always [...]

When you try to heal your trauma before building nervous system capacity

2024-05-30T21:49:48-07:00Healing Trauma, Mental Health & Neuroplasticity, Pain & Chronic Illness, Special Topic Lectures & Q&As, Trauma & Survival Physiology|

What is the trouble with trying to heal your trauma before building nervous system capacity?  Billy Bob tells it like it is: And I’ll add:  I am certain that if I had only had access to what I teach others now... That my long-ass [...]