The Missing Link in Mental Health: Understanding the Autonomic Nervous System
Neurofeedback & Somatic Therapies in Sonoma County
As a clinical psychologist, I’ve often found that many clients come to therapy believing their emotional distress is purely “in their head.” While thoughts and beliefs certainly play a major role in mental health, we are now learning that much of what we experience emotionally is deeply rooted in the body—specifically, in the autonomic nervous system (ANS). This system, which regulates functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion, also governs how safe or threatened we feel in the world. Understanding the ANS and its influence on our mental health is a powerful step toward healing.
The autonomic nervous system has two primary branches: the sympathetic nervous system, which mobilizes us for action (often experienced as fight or flight), and the parasympathetic nervous system, which supports rest, digestion, and recovery. Mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma responses, and even dissociation often involve chronic dysregulation of this system. In other words, the body is “stuck” in patterns of survival—even when the danger is no longer present.
One of the key players in the parasympathetic nervous system is the vagus nerve, a long and complex nerve that connects the brainstem to various organs throughout the body. It acts as a communication highway between the brain and body, helping us shift from states of high alert to calm and safety. When vagal tone is strong, we’re better able to regulate our emotions, connect with others, and respond flexibly to stress. When it’s impaired, we may feel chronically anxious, shut down, or disconnected from ourselves and others.
This is where Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, offers a transformative lens. According to this theory, the vagus nerve operates in a hierarchical way: we first seek safety through social connection, then mobilize in fight-or-flight, and finally, if overwhelmed, collapse into a shutdown state. These states aren’t choices—they’re automatic responses of the nervous system. Understanding this hierarchy helps us make sense of why we might freeze in certain situations, lash out in others, or find it difficult to engage even when we desperately want to.
When we work with the nervous system directly—through breathwork, movement, somatic therapies, and vagus nerve stimulation—we can begin to shift out of survival states and into healing. Clients who learn to track their nervous system’s cues often report feeling more empowered and less “crazy” for their emotional reactions. They begin to see these responses not as flaws, but as adaptive strategies their body used to survive. With the right tools, these patterns can be updated and softened.
In therapy, I often integrate these concepts to help clients move beyond insight and into embodied change. Talking about trauma is valuable, but if the body is still holding onto fear, therapy can feel limited. When we bring the nervous system into the conversation, the healing process accelerates. Clients start to feel safer in their bodies, more present in their lives, and more connected to others—all of which are essential foundations for mental wellness.
What excites me most is that this understanding opens up new pathways for healing conditions that were once seen as treatment-resistant. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and even burnout often have roots in nervous system dysregulation. By supporting the autonomic nervous system and strengthening vagal tone, we can create a more stable foundation for mental and emotional resilience.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, know that it may not be “all in your head.” It may be in your nervous system—and that’s something we can work with. Healing is possible when we approach it from the inside out. Contact Me today to learn how nervous system-informed therapy can support your mental health journey and help you feel like yourself again.