I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Beth Dennison shares some practices and a guide to help rewrite the nervous system to help deal with the pain of trauma, shame, and so much more in the book “The Co-Regulation Revolution”.
The Synopsis
The Co-Regulation Revolution, from master somatic psychotherapist and author Beth Dennison, is both co-regulation theory and applied psychology (simple practices to use right away). It is the latest work in her life-long study of shame, healthy relationships, embodiment, and clinical trauma work.
In therapy and in life, we can rewire our nervous systems for mutual regulation (co-regulation). This is essential for authentic, embodied relating, healing PTSD, effective collaboration, and building our capacity for social justice.
With The Co-Regulation Revolution and Body Up Co-Regulation, Beth gives practitioners clear maps and concrete tools to:
- Heal from shame and developmental trauma with safe, appropriate, embodied connection.
- Build greater capacity for co-regulation and resilience at the nervous system level.
- Replace compulsive competition for status on the ladder of white supremacy culture with healthy, peer relationships.
- Prevent burnout – because co-regulation is only co-regulation when it is good for both people.
The Review
This was a powerful and engaging read. The author does a great job of writing the book in a way that allows the reader to feel seen and heard as they recognize themselves in the author’s work, while also giving the reader a well-documented guide to helping to take the steps to a better mindset and workflow. The author’s educational value and inspiration give readers a unique atmosphere that lends itself to the reader’s need to learn and grow using the author’s work.
To me, the heart or biggest lesson that the author passes to the reader is the need to utilize this internal change to make an impact on a much grander, larger scale. The way the author connects the negative impact of things like wealth, privilege, and much more prominent today, white supremacy, and showcases how that negative impact hits not only the less wealthy or people of color but how those with wealth or white privilege (or faux superiority) are impacted as well, as it leaves them closed off and walled off from the actual impact on the world around them their negative actions have made this a powerful message and theme to weave into the guide that helps improve people to the point they can make great changes on a more social level.
The Verdict
Memorable, educational, and thought-provoking, author Beth Dennison’s “The Co-Regulation Revolution” is a must-read nonfiction and self-help guidebook that will keep readers invested in the author’s work. The evenly-paced read will have readers engaged with the author’s work, discovering the process the author has developed to help improve their lives internally so that they may help make great changes externally as well. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Beth Dennison is a master somatic psychotherapist, author, teacher, and the founder of Body Up Co-Regulation. She is a pioneer whose professional and personal life has positioned her to make a much-needed contribution to remedy the loneliness, isolation, dysregulation, compulsive competition, and failure to cooperate that plague modern Western culture.
Beth brings 50 years of teaching, psychotherapy, and study of neuroscience to teaching and trauma therapy that rewire our brains for connection and co-regulation. Her background and education include Somatic Experiencing, Marriage and Family Therapy, Bodywork, and Peer Counseling.
Beth earned master’s degrees in Educational Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy at Antioch New England. She trained in Somatic Experiencing with Peter Levine and serves as an advanced training assistant. She champions embodiment in relational space as the foundation of effective therapeutic relationships and healthy human interaction.
Currently, Beth writes and leads the Center for Body Up Co-Regulation where she trains therapists, social workers, and mental health professionals. She maintains a small private practice and provides professional supervision for practitioners.