“Between stimulus and response there is a space.  In that space is our power to choose our response.  In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”  Victor Frankl

Helping professionals are known as first responders, not first reactors for a good reason. Maintaining a regulated body and mind in the height of conflict or crisis is a non-negotiable foundation to Trauma-Informed interventions & Healing-Centered care.  

This applies to all scopes of professionalism and leadership, not just first and second responders.Have you ever had a supervisor or employee react impulsively to a high-stake situation?  

* Have you ever let your emotions override sensibility? 
* Have you ever been so stressed you can’t think through problems clearly? 
* Has irrational behavior lead to greater conflict or agency liability? 
*Have you felt your work performance compromised as a result of poor stress management or feelings of overwhelm or apathy? 

These are normal human reactions to stress.  We are all susceptible to reacting.  In fact, reacting is perhaps the most important evolutionary trait – one necessary for survival.  If we didn’t have the capacity to react, we couldn’t fight, run, or hide from danger. 

There is a direct correlation between unmanaged stress and increased potential of mishandling escalated situations and lower professional performance. The key is to know when to respond, when to react, and how to seamlessly shift back and forth between these two states in a healthy and sustainable way. 

I think the most significant contribution to my ability to be steady and compassionately responsive in difficult situations has been my unwavering commitment to the mind-body practices that encourage self-regulation, self-awareness, and the ability to be deeply rooted in presence – response arrives in the moment, reaction is tethered to past conditioning or future anticipation. 

Presence is where we connect, correct, and change.
Presence is where we build resilience. 

How do you remain present and grounded? What are your biggest obstacles and what are you most helpful practices? 

Some benefits of promoting a culture of presence and mastery of responding vs reacting:

* Minimizing harm. Greater capacity in managing crisis with solution-focused critical thinking. 
* De-escalating high conflict situations with greater outcomes of repair/restorative practices and future prevention. 
*Maintaining compassionate and effective communication. 
Challenge bias, judgment, and assumptions that create division and misinterpretation of information. 
*Building trust with colleagues and clients. Establishing a work culture that feels safe and encouraged to grow from conflict. 
*Mitigate liability. 
*Improved employee satisfaction performance, retention, and wellness. 
*Mitigate compassion fatigue and burnout. 

Throughout my career in Somatic Psychology/trauma therapy, victim services, crisis response and social services leadership development, I have created a dynamic and effective approach to addressing high stress situations and conflict management. I have also developed a “Power of Presence” tool kit for cultivating mind-body wellness that promotes personal and professional resilience. 

If you, your agency, or employees could benefit from specialized training in de-escalation, conflict resolution skills, and better understanding stress response and professional resilience, please contact me directly to schedule a training.  

Respectfully, Robin