Supporting Couples in Therapy to Self- and Co-Regulate: A Pathway to Deeper Connection, Emotional Safety and Intimacy

In this course, psychologist Dr. Christine McKee, Ph.D., introduces the topic of self-regulation by noting that nervous system regulation is attachment theory playing out through a person’s physiology. Briefly listing the three tiers to the autonomic nervous system, McKee explains how secure attachment allows people to be engaged and relational (that is, in the social engagement tier), whereas insecure attachments tend to bring a person into the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous systems tiers, where they are dysregulated and less able to engage in relationship. She offers multiple cues to track in session to check for dysregulation, followed by nine tools or strategies to help re-regulate clients so that they can experience greater emotional safety and deeper connection to and intimacy with one another.