Purpose 🎯

Help clients identify their emotional regulation range and recognize signs of hyperarousal and hypoarousal.

Let’s Talk About It 🗣️

Create three sections:

Within My Window

• Calm
• Present
• Able to problem solve

Above My Window (Hyperarousal)

• Anxiety
• Anger
• Panic
• Racing thoughts

Below My Window (Hypoarousal)

• Numbness
• Shutdown
• Disconnection

Explore:

• “How do you know you are leaving your window?”
• “What helps you return to a regulated state?”

If the Conversation Gets Stuck 💡

Start with body sensations instead of emotions.

Examples:

• Heart rate changes
• Muscle tension
• Feeling frozen
• Restlessness

Telehealth / Whiteboard Version 💻

Use three labeled sections and allow clients to drag examples into each category.

Why This Works 🌱

The activity builds nervous system awareness and helps clients recognize activation before reaching crisis levels.

Clinical Pearl 🧠

The goal is not staying calm all the time. The goal is increasing awareness and ability to return to regulation.

Documentation Language 📝

Client identified signs of emotional activation and explored strategies to increase awareness of regulation states.

Clinical Focus: Nervous System Awareness, Emotional Regulation, Stabilization Skills