The Co-Regulation Revolution, from master somatic psychotherapist and author Beth Dennison, is both co-regulation theory and applied psychology (simple practices to use right away). It is the latest work in her life-long study of shame, healthy relationships, embodiment, and clinical trauma work.
In therapy and in life, we can rewire our nervous systems for mutual regulation (co-regulation). This is essential for authentic, embodied relating, healing PTSD, effective collaboration, and building our capacity for social justice.
With The Co-Regulation Revolution and Body Up Co-Regulation, Beth gives practitioners clear maps and concrete tools to:
● Heal from shame and developmental trauma with safe, appropriate, embodied connection.
● Build greater capacity for co-regulation and resilience at the nervous system level.
● Replace compulsive competition for status on the ladder of white supremacy culture with healthy, peer relationships.
● Prevent burnout - because co-regulation is only co-regulation when it is good for both people.
Body Up Co-Regulation (BCR) draws from interpersonal neurobiology, Somatic Experiencing, trauma healing, Bodynamics, peer counseling, and yoga. The practices are therapeutic, diagnostic, and regulatory. What could be a better therapeutic outcome than teaching clients to have relationships that nourish both people? How much more will you thrive in your practice when your client relationships are good for you, too?
Interpersonal neurobiology and polyvagal theory have brought profound insights into psychology and psychotherapy regarding how essential our relationships are, including our own somatic body/mind relationship. As therapists, social workers, leaders, and teachers - we are positioned to help people build healthy, collaborative relationships that support social justice work and help heal attachment issues and complex PTSD. Clinical practitioners who train in Body Up Co-regulation find the work to be: "simple and powerful," "brilliant and uplifting," "invaluable for authentic communication," "safe and non-judgmental," and "incredibly helpful in a variety of real-life situations."
Reading this book can orient you to a whole new way of relating and doing therapy. Practicing the exercises will change your patterns of relating. Training in BCR is a deep dive into the subtle and potent world of working nervous system to nervous system.
In BCR practice, one person leads, and one mirrors, in a simple 1-2-minute exercise. They speak about their experience and then switch roles. This cultivates our capacity for peer relating and embodiment in relational space. It sounds simple, yet the layers of somatic learning and mutual regulation pave the way for a Co-Regulation Revolution - a cumulative, profound change in how we live and relate, together.
