For the body to heal from trauma, there must be a reintegration of the brain, body, and nervous system, allowing the individual to move out of a survival state and into a place of safety, regulation, and connection.

Because trauma disrupts this integration by trapping the body in a state of dysregulation, such as hyperarousal (fight/flight) or hypoarousal (freeze/shutdown), the nervous system continues to perceive threat, even long after the danger has passed.

Healing requires that the body first begins to feel safe again, which involves gently restoring a sense of internal stability through practices that regulate the nervous system, such as breathwork, grounding, mindfulness, somatic experiencing, and other body-based modalities. The brain must also begin to process and reframe the traumatic experience, ideally in a way that reduces fear-based responses and helps the individual make meaning of what happened without becoming overwhelmed by it.

Integration occurs when the body can experience emotions and sensations related to the trauma without being hijacked by them, and when the thinking brain (prefrontal cortex) can stay online alongside the emotional brain (limbic system) and survival brain (brainstem). This creates the conditions for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and connection with others, key components of lasting healing.

Additionally, consistent relational safety, whether through therapy, coaching, or supportive communities, plays a vital role in this process, as safe connection helps rewire the nervous system for trust, belonging, and resilience.