Go Slow to Go Deep: The Key to Processing Trauma Safely
Why Slowing Down in Trauma Therapy Matters
When working with trauma, it’s natural to want relief as quickly as possible. You may have carried the weight of certain experiences for years, and part of you longs to “get to the root” fast. But in trauma therapy, moving too quickly can actually do more harm than good.
The nervous system doesn’t heal at the speed of thought; it heals at the speed of safety. Slowing the pace allows your body and mind to stay connected, grounded, and open to integration without becoming overwhelmed.
The Nervous System’s Pace, Not the Mind’s
Trauma often leaves the body stuck in patterns of fight, flight, or freeze. While your mind might want to talk through everything in one session, your body may still be holding protective tension. If we move too fast, digging into painful memories or emotions before there’s enough stability, the nervous system can become flooded, triggering anxiety, dissociation, or shutdown.
Slowing down allows us to:
Build safety and trust between therapist and client and within yourself.
Notice subtle shifts in breathing, posture, emotional tone, and or internal sensations.
Stay within the “range of resilience”—the optimal state for processing without overload.
Let the body catch up to what the mind is exploring.
In Somatic Experiencing and Inner Relationship Focusing, this pacing is not a delay - it’s the work. Each pause gives your nervous system the chance to complete responses it couldn’t finish in the past, which is where deep healing happens.
A Real-Life Moment: Slowing Down in Action
A client begins describing a serious car accident they survived years ago. Their words quicken, their shoulders rise toward their ears, and their breath becomes shallow. Their eyes start to look away, small but important signals that their nervous system may be edging toward overwhelm.
Instead of encouraging them to keep going, I might gently say:
“Let’s slow things down here for a moment. What are you noticing? Can you feel the chair supporting you? Maybe press your feet gently into the floor and notice what happens in your breath.”
We take a few minutes to simply notice sensations if they are available, the solidness of the chair, the texture of the floor beneath their shoes, and the weight of their hands resting on their lap. We track what happens next. They may notice their jaw begins to soften. The breath slowly deepens. Their gaze returns.
Sometimes I’ll invite them to name something in the room that feels comforting or neutral, a warm light, a favorite mug, a peaceful piece of art. This helps anchor their awareness in the here and now.
Only when their body shows signs of settling, shoulders dropping, voice slowing, do we revisit the memory, breaking it into smaller, more manageable pieces. Over time, this rhythm teaches the nervous system that it’s possible to be with difficult memories without getting swept away.
Why This Works
Trauma is not just a story in the mind. It lives in the body. When we work at the body’s pace, we avoid re-traumatization and instead create the conditions for integration.
Slowing down isn’t avoidance. It’s about staying connected to yourself while touching into the pain, so healing can unfold in a way that feels steady and sustainable.
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
If you’re looking for Trauma Counseling, I’d be honored to support you. Together, we can slow the pace, create a sense of safety, and help your body and mind move toward lasting relief. I offer a compassionate, body-based approach that meets you exactly where you are.
Schedule a FREE Consultation today and take the first step toward healing at a pace that truly works for you.
