Podcast Summary
Neuro somatic intelligence training in organizations like police departments: Neuro somatic intelligence training combines psychology and neuroscience to create healthier, more productive dialogues in organizations, particularly in law enforcement, promoting nervous system health, regulation, and resilience, benefiting both individuals and communities.
Neuro somatic intelligence training, which combines evidence-based psychology and neuroscience, can have a profound impact on individuals and communities, particularly in organizations like police departments and among first responders. Janine Harris, an NSI practitioner and facilitator, shared her experience bringing this training to the Columbus Police Department. She had struggled with nervous system regulation during difficult conversations and found that traditional methods weren't enough. By incorporating NSI, she and her team were able to create healthier and more productive dialogues. Victor Jones, another NSI practitioner and facilitator, also emphasized the importance of this work in promoting nervous system health, regulation, and resilience within law enforcement and the broader community. Together, they saw the potential for a ripple effect of positive change. The training not only benefits those directly involved but also extends to the communities they serve. This is a unique and valuable application of neuro somatic intelligence, and it's an exciting step towards making trauma-informed presence and support a part of our society.
Transforming Trauma through Nervous System Intelligence: Nervous System Intelligence goes beyond intellectual understanding of trauma and provides tools to address its physical effects on the body, fostering personal well-being and effective dialogue in communities.
Trauma work goes beyond intellectual understanding and requires addressing the physical effects on the nervous system. When working with law enforcement through The Care Coalition, the goal was to not only educate about trauma but also provide tools for transforming it in the body. Victor, as a therapist, was motivated by the desire to support children's aspirations to become police officers while addressing the negative experiences some may encounter, and recognizing the importance of addressing the health concerns of officers dealing with PTSD. The impactful work of Nervous System Intelligence not only enhances personal well-being but also fosters effective dialogue and understanding in various communities.
Police officers face high rates of health issues due to job demands: Police institutions can prioritize officers' health through training and self-care, recognizing trauma, and applying neurology and mind-body techniques.
The demanding nature of the police profession takes a toll on officers' physical and mental health, leading to higher rates of heart attacks, gastrointestinal issues, and suicide. This is a cause for concern, as police officers are integral members of society and their well-being impacts the health of their communities. Through training and self-care, police institutions can prioritize officers' health and create a culture of support. By recognizing and addressing the trauma experienced by officers, who often come from traumatic backgrounds themselves, we can help prevent these tragic health outcomes. The application of neurology and mind-body techniques can be a powerful tool in this process, allowing officers to relax, open up, and share their stress, ultimately leading to a healthier and more effective police force.
Police officers' stress and the potential benefits of NSI: Police officers face significant stress and value NSI for crisis management and expanding thinking capacity, but prioritizing self-care and seeking therapy is not common. Making nervous system literacy and health a regular part of the system is crucial for sustaining progress.
Police officers face significant stress from past trauma, daily stressors, societal pressure, and the demands of their profession. They value conversations about these issues and see the potential benefits of nervous system regulation practices like NSI for crisis management and expanding thinking capacity. However, seeking therapy and prioritizing self-care within their organizations is not common. The opening created by introducing NSI is important, but ongoing application, encouragement, and education are necessary to keep the doors open and make nervous system health a part of the police culture. The historical context of law enforcement as an institution that has protected the interests of the wealthy and exploited people adds complexity to the issue. To sustain the progress, it's crucial to make nervous system literacy and health a regular part of the system, not just a one-time event. Janine plans to continue this work in the next phase of the project.
Dissociation hinders empathy and compassionate care for first responders: Daily practices to heal and rehabilitate the nervous system can improve performance and reduce negative effects of stress for first responders
The disconnection from the body and nervous system experienced by first responders during intense training and high-stress situations can lead to chronic dissociation, which in turn hinders empathy and compassionate care. This dissociation can have a significant impact on the nervous system, making it more difficult to accurately perceive information and increasing the overall stress level. To improve performance and reduce the negative effects of stress, it's essential to prioritize daily practices that focus on healing and rehabilitating the nervous system, reducing deficits and creating more capacity for effective response in high-pressure situations.
Effective crisis intervention and trust restoration: Regulate yourself, address systemic issues, and prioritize human connection for effective crisis intervention and trust restoration.
The key to effective crisis intervention and restoring trust lies not only in having the right tools, but also in being a regulated and grounded person oneself. Developing a daily practice to manage stress and change the baseline level of nervous system regulation can lead to better outcomes in high-stress situations. Additionally, restoring trust within individuals and the community involves addressing systemic issues and evolving institutions to meet changing needs. Personal experiences with crisis situations, such as encounters with law enforcement, can shape perspectives and highlight the importance of human connection and understanding in addressing complex issues.
Law Enforcement Officers' Personal Traumas Impact Their Profession, Need for Healing Tools: Neurosomatic intelligence training improved law enforcement officers' ability to understand and regulate their nervous systems, leading to significant improvements in just two days.
Law enforcement officers carry their personal traumas into their professions, and without proper tools for healing, they can struggle to effectively serve their communities. These officers, who have big hearts and a strong desire to help, can be conflicted and unaware of the impact of their past experiences. The training provided by Janine and Elizabeth, focusing on neurosomatic intelligence, offered these officers new ways to understand and regulate their nervous systems, leading to significant improvements in just two short days. The feedback from the officers was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the need for more resources to support the mental and emotional well-being of those in law enforcement. If you're interested in exploring how neurosomatic intelligence could benefit your organization, please find the link in the show notes to book an exploratory call with Elizabeth Kristof.
A workshop's transformative moment through neurosomatic intelligence: NeuroSomatic Techniques foster deeper connections and understanding by working directly with the nervous system, leading to healthier, more empathetic relationships and interactions.
The power of neurosomatic intelligence lies in its ability to facilitate deep connections and understanding by working directly with the nervous system. During a recent workshop, the room shifted as participants absorbed the importance of emotional expression and the historical cultural suppression of it. This moment, made possible by the workshop's deliberate pace, served as a climax in the collective realization of the interconnectedness of all nervous systems. For Columbus Care and the Ohio Police Department, this pilot program marks the beginning of a potentially transformative partnership in incorporating NeuroSomatic Techniques into their organization. By acknowledging and addressing the underlying somatic communication, these entities can foster healthier, more empathetic relationships and interactions.
Columbus aims to become trauma-informed city with coalition's help: Columbus Public Health led pilot program trained 50 officers in trauma awareness, with Care Coalition's Next Step Initiative as potential partner for practical application.
The Care Coalition in Columbus is working towards making the city trauma-informed, bringing organizations together to support this initiative. A recent pilot program, led by Columbus Public Health, aimed to train 50 officers in trauma awareness and understanding, with the hope of fostering dialogue and collaboration between officers and community members. The Next Step Initiative (NSI) was mentioned as a potential ongoing partner in this process, focusing on the practical application of trauma awareness through somatic practices. The Care Coalition's goal is to make this an annual process, bridging the gap between intellectual understanding and daily application of trauma-informed practices. NSI was highlighted for its unique focus on the body and providing practical tools for working with the nervous system to rehabilitate from trauma. Ultimately, the hope is that these efforts will lead to increased understanding, safety, and support in the community, breaking down barriers of fear and anxiety.
Transforming law enforcement from reactive to proactive: Longer, comprehensive training for officers in de-escalation and community engagement can lead to better outcomes for officers and communities, creating a safer and more compassionate society.
Our current law enforcement system can be transformed from a reactive approach to trauma and violence to a proactive approach focused on health, wellness, and community engagement. This shift could lead to better outcomes for both officers and the communities they serve. The key to this transformation lies in longer, more comprehensive training for officers, including training in de-escalation and community engagement. By recognizing that law enforcement officers are outputs of a nervous system, just like everyone else, we can extend compassion and understanding to them and help them better cope with the stresses of their job. This approach could lead to officers who are seen as helpers rather than sources of fear, creating a safer and more compassionate society for all.
Understanding the nervous system from a bottom-up perspective: This newfound knowledge can lead to compassion, curiosity, self-awareness, liberation, and the recognition that our bodies and nervous systems are on our side. It holds great potential for creating regulation and resilience in various communities.
Understanding the nervous system from a bottom-up perspective can lead to a deeper level of compassion, curiosity, and self-awareness. This newfound knowledge can bring about liberation and the recognition that our bodies and nervous systems are on our side. As a therapist, this shift in perspective has been remarkable, and it holds great potential for creating regulation and resilience in various communities. The Nervous System Institute (NSI) work, as shared by Victor and Janine, has the power to bridge disconnects in society and heal relationships between individuals, organizations, and institutions. The speakers' reflections on bringing NSI into the police force were inspiring, and the potential for expanding this work into the wider society is exciting. The conversation between Elizabeth, Jen, and the speaker marks the beginning of significant change, and they all have important roles to play in making a difference.