Embodied Presence as a Nervous System Practice? “The nervous system is always asking one primary question: Am I safe right now?” — Stephen Porges

What If Reducing Pressure is Part of the Practice? “The body doesn’t resist change. It resists pressure.” - Brad Hardie, TICC, MCC

In trauma-informed coaching, language shapes conversations. It influences not only clients' understanding but also their immediate nervous system experience with us. Many coaches know the Window of Tolerance, described by Dr. Dan Siegel. It defines the range within which a person stays regulated and engaged without tipping into overwhelm or shutting down. This framework clarified why people become reactive, numb, disconnected, or stuck.

What I'm noticing, both in the coaching room and in my personal conversations, is how often the language of ADHD and Neurodivergence is being brought up. I've noticed many people leading with "I have ADHD" or "Bear with me, this is my ADHD brain". And I notice something else, too. When I'm coaching clients who identify as ADHD or Neurodivergent, I often see familiar patterns in their nervous systems—patterns that are very similar to what I see in my clients who come to me for post-traumatic growth or grief work.