The Importance of Safety in Supporting Your Mental and Emotional Health
When we talk about healing from stress, trauma, or emotional struggles, one essential ingredient often rises above the rest: safety.
Safety is not just a feeling of comfort. It is a biological necessity. Our nervous system relies on safety to move out of survival mode and into states of connection, reflection, and growth. Without it, healing can feel out of reach (University of Manitoba, 2023).
Trauma and the Nervous System
Trauma is not only about the events we experience—it’s about what happens inside us when we feel overwhelmed, powerless, or unsafe. Research shows that many adults carry the echoes of past experiences in their bodies and nervous systems (Upson, 2023).
· Hyperarousal: anxiety, hypervigilance, racing thoughts, and restlessness (the fight-or-flight response).
· Hypoarousal: numbness, shutdown, or disconnection (the freeze response).
These states are not personal flaws—they are protective survival strategies. But when they persist, they can keep us from feeling balanced, connected, and safe in daily life (van der Kolk, 2000).
Why Safety Matters for Healing
Safety signals to the brain and body: you are not in danger anymore. This is the foundation for emotional well-being. A sense of safety allows:
· Regulation of overwhelming emotions
· Space for reflection and self-understanding
· The capacity to form healthy, supportive relationships
· Resilience in navigating life’s challenges
Without safety, it’s difficult for the nervous system to calm, and even harder to process painful memories or make lasting changes (Wang, Li, & Xie, 2023).
Safety in Psychotherapy
In psychotherapy, safety is the starting point. Before diving into trauma processing or new coping strategies, the therapeutic relationship itself must feel secure. Safety in therapy often looks like:
· Being seen, heard, and understood without judgment
· Building trust at a pace that feels right for you
· Learning to befriend your nervous system instead of fighting it
· Having clear boundaries and compassionate support (PESI Staff, 2022)
When therapy feels safe, clients can gently explore past wounds, regulate their nervous systems, and begin creating healthier patterns in life and relationships.
Creating Safety Beyond the Therapy Room
Safety can be cultivated not only in therapy, but in daily life. Practices like mindfulness, grounding techniques, supportive relationships, and self-compassion all reinforce the nervous system’s ability to rest, connect, and heal (Upson, 2023).
Final Thoughts
Safety is not a luxury—it is a fundamental requirement for mental and emotional healing. Whether you are navigating trauma, anxiety, or life transitions, creating safe spaces for yourself is the first step toward growth and resilience.
At Ashley Guite Psychotherapy, we are committed to providing a safe, compassionate, and trauma-informed space for your healing journey. If you are ready to take the first step, book your consultation today.
References
PESI Staff. (2022, September 19). Helping clients befriend their hyperaroused and hypoaroused parts. PESI. https://www.pesi.com/blogs/helping-clients-befriend-their-hyperaroused-and-hypoaroused-parts
University of Manitoba. (2023, June 2). The truth about trauma. UM Today News. https://news.umanitoba.ca/the-truth-about-trauma/
Upson, S. (2023, March 28). Why are so many adults today haunted by trauma? Greater Good Magazine. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_are_so_many_adults_today_haunted_by_trauma
van der Kolk, B. A. (2000). Posttraumatic stress disorder and the nature of trauma. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 2(1), 7–22. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3bdb/a54624f081699793021984dd08ce695bed8a.pdf
Wang, J., Li, X., & Xie, H. (2023). The relationship between psychological safety and creativity: A meta-analysis. Comprehensive Psychology, 20(3), 193–204. https://doi.org/10.1002/cn.193