Healing Trauma: Master Your Nervous System

In a recent episode of The Decision Hour podcast, Host, Adam Bird sat down with Holly Joy McCabe, a Neurosomatic trauma therapist with a profound personal journey that has shaped her unique approach to healing trauma and optimizing performance. Holly’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the transformative power of understanding the intricate connection between the brain, nervous system, and body.

Holly’s Early Struggles: Overcoming Adversity

Holly’s journey began in an environment of severe trauma. Growing up in a cult religion, she faced a tumultuous and abusive childhood that led her to attempt suicide at the tender age of 14. Realizing the gravity of her situation, she made a daring escape at 16, fleeing the toxic environment that threatened her very survival. Homeless and vulnerable, Holly was thrust into a life of hardship, working multiple jobs to stay afloat while nurturing a dream of becoming a musician.

Despite these challenges, Holly’s determination led her to Nashville at 19, where she pursued her passion for music. However, life dealt her another devastating blow—a violent assault that left her with a severe head injury. Alone and with no support system, Holly faced this traumatic event head-on, seeking emergency care for her physical injuries while unknowingly setting the stage for a lifelong journey of healing and self-discovery.

The Turning Point: Discovering the Power of Somatic Healing

At 24, Holly experienced a critical turning point. The symptoms from her untreated brain injury had escalated, leaving her with chronic migraines, brain fog, and exhaustion. Traditional approaches to health and fitness provided little relief, pushing Holly to explore deeper into the realms of personal development, psychology, and eventually, somatic studies.

Her enrollment at the Natural Health Institute introduced Holly to the profound impact of trauma on the body, brain, and nervous system. As she delved into somatic studies, Holly had an epiphany: trauma is not just a mental or emotional experience but is deeply embedded in the body, affecting every aspect of our being. This realization was the catalyst for Holly’s pursuit of Neurosomatic therapy—a holistic approach that integrates health, nutrition, psychology, and nervous system regulation to heal trauma at its core.

Neurosomatic Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Healing

Holly’s therapeutic approach is built on the understanding that the nervous system acts as a supercomputer, storing memories and experiences that shape our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Unresolved trauma, like unprocessed data, clutters this system, leading to a range of mental, emotional, and physical dysfunctions.

Using analogies that simplify complex concepts, Holly describes the nervous system as a memory bank that needs regular “updates” to function optimally. When trauma remains unresolved, it’s as if the system becomes overwhelmed with viruses and outdated software, leading to chronic issues like anxiety, depression, and physical ailments.

The cornerstone of Holly’s method is a multifaceted approach that addresses five key areas: the nervous system, the brain, the body, the subconscious mind, and the conscious mind. By working on all these levels simultaneously, Holly helps her clients rewire their brains, recalibrate their nervous systems, and ultimately achieve lasting healing and transformation.

The Controversy of Traditional Talk Therapy

Holly is outspoken about the limitations of traditional talk therapy, especially when dealing with severe trauma such as PTSD. She explains that without the proper tools and understanding of how trauma affects the nervous system, talk therapy can sometimes do more harm than good. Bringing unresolved trauma to the surface without providing the means to process it can retraumatize individuals, leading to further dysregulation and emotional distress.

Instead, Holly advocates for a more integrated approach that includes somatic practices and neurodrills. These tools help individuals release stored trauma from their bodies and reprogram their nervous systems for healthier responses to stress. While neurodrills require the guidance of a trained practitioner, somatic practices can often be self-administered, providing a gentle yet effective way to begin the healing process.

Where to Begin: Tools for Healing

For those struggling with trauma, Holly recommends starting with somatic practices. These are simple, gentle exercises that help the body release stored tension and stress, making them accessible to most people. For more severe or long-standing trauma, working with a professional who understands Neurosomatic therapy and can guide the process is crucial.

Neurosomatic therapy offers a path to deep, lasting healing, but it requires a commitment to understanding and addressing the complex interplay between the body, brain, and nervous system. Holly’s journey is a testament to the power of this holistic approach, and her work continues to inspire and transform the lives of those who seek her guidance.

Want to hear the full story and dive deeper into the world of Neurosomatic therapy?
Listen to the full interview with Holly Joy McCabe here.

Discover how you can begin your own journey of healing and transformation today. Contact Holly via her website: https://www.brainbodyspeak.com