The body really does keep score: Trauma, Regulation and the Nervous System

"Stop asking, 'What is wrong with you?' Start asking, 'What happened to you?'

In our new episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey dive deep into applying a Trauma Lens to Emotional and Behavioural Regulation. Think about an Iceberg: the behaviour you see is just the tip. Beneath the surface are protective, biological responses rooted in trauma.

Key takeaways for practitioners:

✅ Definition: The shift from being 'trauma-informed' to 'trauma-responsive' (SAMHSA).

✅ Neurobiology: Understanding the Polyvagal Theory (Ventral Vagal, Sympathetic, Dorsal Vagal) and why a body gets 'stuck on alert.'

✅ Strategy: Why we must prioritize co-regulation (Regulate-Relate-Reason) to promote individual healing. We advocate for a focus that promotes using a reparative relati ...