This model helps explain why we sometimes lose control, and gives a powerful visual of what is needed to come back to our senses, to be able to respond rather than react.

I will sometimes offer journalling to clients who resonate with writing, as a complementary activity alongside therapy. By writing down our thoughts and emotional experiences, we can ‘externalise’ them (get them out of our heads and out into the world).

Emotions come and go throughout the day, like traffic along a street. Sometimes though, an emotion sticks with us and may feel so intense we start to look for ways to manage or control it. This is where Emotion Regulation can help.