Stuck Not Broken

Learn what the Freeze trauma response is, the dangers of addressing it head-on, and how to start coming out of it. 🌸 Not sure which stuck state you're in? Recognize where you're at and join the free community here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=stuck-page It helps you recognize your state. It never tells you what you are. No quiz, n...

Join therapist and coach Justin Sunseri as he addresses a key question from his private community about transitioning from dorsal vagal shutdown to sympathetic flight fight activation. In this episode of 'Stuck Not Broken,' Justin delves into the Polyvagal Theory, explaining how to safely navigate these states without reinforcing a shutdown pattern. He also provides insights into his upcoming book...

Justin Sunseri addresses whether everyone can recover from trauma by accessing their Polyvagal safety state. He explains the nuances, emphasizing the importance of context, co-regulation, and healthy attachments. 0:00 Can Anybody Self-Regulate and Recover from Trauma? 01:43 Introduction to Safety Anchors and UDS 02:08 Exploring the Concept of Safety Anchors 03:53 The Role of Co-Regulation in Safet...

I answer questions about self-regulation and our safety state - should we challenge the capacity of our distress tolerance? Will this help strengthen our vagal brake? 🌸 Not sure which stuck state you're in? Recognize where you're at and join the free community here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=stuck-page It helps you recognize you...

Justin Sunseri continues his exploration of the Shutdown Experiences Survey, this time discussing the results of how dorsal vagal shutdown affects people on a daily basis. How effective do people feel they are coping? How do they alter their daily lives? 🌸 Not sure which stuck state you're in? Recognize where you're at and join the free community here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_so...

Justin Sunseri addresses a question about neurodivergence, safety, and connection. What does safety look like for someone who is "neurodivergent"? 🔸Total Access Membership of trauma recovery courses and community - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess 🔸Free ebook, "Trauma & the Polyvagal Paradigm" when you sign up for my email list - https://www.justinlmft.com/books 🔸Learn the Polyvagal T...

I share the second round of results from my Shutdown Experiences Survey, including how far away safety feels and how long people live in shutdown. Gain new language for your experiences, plus lots of validation and normalization. 00:00 Introduction to episode 227 01:32 How far away does safety feel? 06:56 How long have you been in shutdown? 10:16 How long do acute shutdown experiences last? 13:10...

Justin shares the felt experience results of his "Shutdown Experiences Survey." Real people in dorsal vagal shutdown share about their emotions, thoughts, and more. You will get more validation and normalization from this episode. Learn language for your shutdown experiences and ideas on what to do about it. 🔸Total Access Membership of trauma recovery courses and community - https://www.justinlmf...

Justin and Mercedes discuss a Bad Therapy story of poor boundaries and where it leads. If you have your own Bad Therapy story, send it to justinlmft@gmail.com 🌸 Not sure which stuck state you're in? Recognize where you're at and join the free community here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=stuck-page It helps you recognize your state....

Learn experiences of the Polyvagal freeze state, like changes in cognitions and underlying impulses. 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Understanding Freeze State: Insights and Analogies 04:23 Cognitive Effects of the Freeze State: Analysis and Examples 08:22 Addressing Shame and Cognitive Adaptations in Freeze State 10:09 Therapeutic Approaches: Top-Down and Bottom-Up Strategies 11:29 Closing Thoughts and...

Explore practical strategies for understanding and gradually replacing negative coping skills eventually and slowly with healthier alternatives, employing the principles of the Polyvagal Theory. Host Justin Sunseri shares insights from a discussion with his private community, offering techniques to recognize and modify behaviors such as binge eating by creating a mindful space between impulse and...

The Polyvagal Theory is not a solution, but a scientific understanding of our biological reactions. So, how does the PVT apply to stage fright? What Polyvagal states are occurring and what can you do about it? 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:46 Understanding Performance Anxiety and Polyvagal Theory 02:39 The Science Behind Stage Fright 04:45 Exploring the Freeze Reaction 06:14 Factors Contrib...

Learn why you might have difficulty accepting safety cues, even from your loved ones. Your Polyvagal state acts as a filter and changes your perception of your interactions with others. 00:00 Introduction and Viewer's Question 00:52 Understanding Safety States 01:39 The Role of Interpersonal Relationships in Safety States 03:45 The Impact of Defensive States on Perception 05:48 Building Strength i...

Emotions, including sadness, are not random but are responses to our body's state. Use this three-step process to begin feeling your sadness with self-compassion. 🔸Total Access Membership of trauma recovery courses and community - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess 🔸Free ebook, "Trauma & the Polyvagal Paradigm" when you sign up for my email list - https://www.justinlmft.com/books 🔸Learn...

Learn how to feel ventral vagal safety even when it feels out of reach through 3 different options: imagination, co-regulation, and mindful sensory experiences. These 3 options may be the most approachable for identifying and eventually building safety within. 🌸 Not sure which stuck state you're in? Recognize where you're at and join the free community here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?...

Therapist and Coach Justin Sunseri lists all 9 official Polyvagal Theory autonomic states and shares the story of Courtney. The episode demystifies different autonomic states like Safety, Flight/Fight, and Shutdown, and their mixed states such as Freeze, Play, and Stillness. Justin dives into the nuances of these states, explores how to identify them in Courtney's relatable, emotional journey, and...

Your mindset might not be the main problem when it comes to making lasting change in your life. Instead, your underlying Polyvagal state matters more. The state of one's body influences emotions, behaviors, and even one's mindset. The concepts of the "growth mindset" and "fixed mindset" were popularized by Carol Dweck. But maybe it's not as simple as choosing a growth mindset. Learn about the Poly...

Discover how the Polyvagal Theory sheds light on binge eating as a behavioral adaptation. This episode post delves into the complex interplay of defensive autonomic states and eating disorders, offering insights for those seeking a deeper understanding of their eating behaviors and paths to healthier coping mechanisms. 🌸 Not sure which stuck state you're in? Recognize where you're at and join the...

Discover the intersection of emotional regulation and the Polyvagal Theory in trauma recovery, discussing the balance between 'allowing' and 'doing' in emotional regulation. Addressing whether one needs to experience overwhelming sadness to heal, he emphasizes individualized approaches to trauma recovery. Justin also delves into his unique method, highlighting the role of bodily sensations and imp...

Deb Dana takes the difficult Polyvagal Theory academia and translates it into everyday language. This episode identifies and explains her most valuable contributions to the Polyvagal Theory: glimmers, Story Follows State, Home Away from Home, and the Polyvagal Ladder. (book links will take you to Amazon. If you purchase, I will get a portion of the sale at no extra cost to you.) DEB'S BOOKS: PVT i...

Explore the complexities of repairing relationships with insights on co-regulation, trust, and vulnerability. Learn how self-regulation and empathy can help heal and mend bonds. Understand the dynamics of misattunement and ruptures, and discover practical strategies for rebuilding trust and healthy connections. SNB: Total Access Membership - https://www.justinlmft.com/totalaccess Polyvagal Trauma...

Have you ever felt calmer and more secure just by being around a specific person? You feel more safe with that person because of co-regulation. I'll explore how this deep-rooted biological process plays a vital role in shaping your emotional and physiological states. From the calming effects of a loved one's presence to the subtle cues of safety we exchange with those around us, co-regulation is a...

If you’ve been through a panic attack, you know they are no joke. You may actually go through panic attacks repeatedly. You may even have a panic attack the same time each day, like at nighttime. That’s how this discussion starts off, with one of my Stucknaut Collective community members asking during one of our Meetups. This short conversation touches upon how to reduce the intensity of panic att...

The ventral vagal safety state of the Polyvagal Theory may not be easily accessible, especially if you exist in a traumatized state. And it’s maybe even more difficult to deeply settle into and experience for extended periods of time. I’ll discuss what the safety state is, the spectrum of how the safety state can be used, and when to do so. This will give you a framework for where you’re at, what...

With the incredible emergence and rapid upgrading of artificial intelligence models, one has to wonder if it can act as your therapist in late October 2023. As of right now, the answer is a clear no. But that may not be for long. Join me as I discuss the current limitations of AI and what I think the future holds. Total Access Membership of trauma recovery courses and community - https://www.justi...