For years I told myself that living in my head was preferable; my body was just the mechanism for supporting intellectual pursuits. It was how I survived my own childhood and then looking after a child with special needs. My body was shut down and I was functioning at a superficial level, unable to connect fully with my emotions, not feeling happy.

I attended a conference where Stephen Porges, the keynote speaker, referred to a UK therapist Claire Wilson who had written a very practical book explaining his Polyvagal Theory in a way that adults, parents and professionals could understand and incorporate into their lives and the lives of children. I had to get a copy of that book!

Gounded, the book, helped me so much and started me on a journey connecting with Claire, which led to joining her ‘Let’s Talk’ communication course for Parents. In this short course I practiced skills to connect more safely with my son, and it was so powerful noticing that as I focused on grounding myself, my son blossomed in his ability to engage more fully with life and people around him.

But how do you take a book learning, a short term practice of techniques and translate that into a habit, a daily practice? How do you translate a concept into a life-style reality? I had tried other therapies and approaches but became overwhelmed, feeling irritable, unsafe and out of control.

I joined Grounded Grownups® because I trusted Claire, working with her for just 2 months had had a powerful impact and I wanted more.  I wanted to continue my journey using Claire's signposts and tools, and start to regulate my nervous system to build a future that was more joyful, less brain-fog and feel a deepening connection with myself - for my own benefit and the consequent benefit of those around me. 

After a year in the GROUNDED GrownUps® community my trust has grown. I have been on a journey which has felt supportive, powerful, yet safe and totally under my control.

I have not been overwhelmed by the experience at all, infact it has felt like a safe harbour during this turbulent year of 2020.

I have increasing resilience, greater connection with my self and my sense of purpose, and stronger self-efficacy around being authentically me. I feel more in touch with my emotions and empowered to regulate my nervous system through understanding and practical tools.

Everyone in the community has their favourite grounding tools and won’t miss a monthly workshop. I always come-away feeling heard, supported and connected with others on the journey. The GGUps community and Claire’s expert facilitation of the workshops, the Resource Hub and Toolkit plus other resources to refer to, act as an anchor for me.

I have come a long way! I now feel I have the freedom to be authentically me, I work with my mind AND body, and continue to build my skills whilst still being connected safely to GROUNDED GrownUps® a source for growth and grounding.