Alternative Strategies to Promote Self-Regulation Presented by: Paula Freeman, CSC

Self-Regulation Self-regulation makes it possible for us to know and manage our emotions, recognize emotions in others, and make use of these abilities in relationships. With adequate self regulation, we are able to control immediate responses to stimuli in order to make behavioral choices (Tollison, Synatschk, & Logan, 2011). The capacity to self-regulate is the foundation upon which a functional sense of self develops (Ogden, Minton, & Pain, 2006).

Understanding Anger: A Secondary Emotion

Biology of Anger Over production of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and catecholamine deregulate blood sugar levels and create an explosion of protective energy Inability to release enough serotonin Possible difference in the physiology of the amygdala limiting the ability to self-soothe Can you remember a time when you felt a strong anger sensation? Even remembering the event might produce some of the anger chemicals. Where do you feel them in the body? What was the emotion behind the anger?

What’s for Breakfast…… Cortical distractor Water Do not initiate discussion around the desire to modify behavior or teach a lesson. Somatic exercise to reduce biological reaction to anger.

Waterfall Breathe deeply Repeat three times Raise arms above head Bend at the waist Trace the image of the water with your fingers as it falls to the floor Breathe deeply Repeat five deep breaths Allow hands to float to waist Rise slowly stopping at the waist level taking a deep breath and then moving up one vertebra at a time

Removing Stress Chemicals from the Body and Grounding Practices: Calm Creates Calm Grounding is the technique and practice of purposely connecting to the ground beneath us and to our somatic experience in the moment. It is the active practice of creating a physical and emotional inner experience of calm connection to our own body and our surroundings. Grounding facilitates interactive affect regulation (Tollison, Synatschk, & Logan, 2011). Before each therapeutic session, a counselor might ground herself to facilitate interaction with the client. To begin each session, a counselor might use a grounding activity to help a client experience a physical and emotional inner experience. Other activities are in the handouts and include: Seaweed, Thai Chi, and Still Quite Place Discuss with a partner or group how you felt before and after the waterfall activity?

Forgiveness After we achieve a state of self-regulation. (Perhaps waiting until a time when the client is in a regulated state) Help the client focus on forgiveness. This is not condoning the actions of others. It is releasing the desire to seek revenge, and allowing reality to be observed. We do not have to agree with something to observe it. It is understanding we have some degree of control over our reaction to the behavior of others. Reducing fear and powerlessness helps reduce the secondary anger reaction.

Mindfulness Exercise Breathe deeply (repeat) Imagine the face of a person with whom you feel safe, calm, and protected Send thoughts of contentment to this person Allow this face to fade and be replaced by the face of an acquaintance you might know Allow this face to fade and replace with someone with whom you feel deregulated. Send thoughts of contentment and forgiveness to this person Return to the face of your safe person and then replace this face with your own face. Breathe.

Skills Topics Self-awareness- identifying one’s own thoughts, feelings, strengths, and how they influence choices and actions Social awareness- understanding the thoughts and feelings of others, developing empathy, and being able to take the perspective of others Self-management- handling emotions, using emotions to facilitate interactions, and dealing with obstacles in a productive way. Responsible decision making- being able to consider the short and long term consequences of actions Relationship skills- the ability to maintain healthy and rewarding connections with individuals and groups