Somatic coaching · Online · UK and worldwide
Nervous system regulation coaching to help you feel safe again
Do you swing between feeling wired and exhausted? On high alert one moment, shut down and numb the next? These can be signs of a nervous system that has been working overtime for a long time.
I offer one-to-one nervous system regulation coaching online, and in person in Shropshire, combining somatic coaching, Brainspotting and simple everyday practices to help your body find calm and steadiness again.
What if feeling calm was something your body could learn?
Book a free discovery call“Ruth has given me a safe space to work through so many things, she does not judge and completely understands what life can throw at you”
What is nervous system regulation?
Nervous system regulation is your body’s ability to move through stress responses, like fight, flight, freeze or fawn, and come back to a sense of safety. Being regulated doesn’t mean you never feel stressed. It means you can return to calm more easily, and you have more space to respond rather than react.
Signs of a dysregulated nervous system
You might recognise some of these.
Feeling “wired but tired”, exhausted yet unable to rest.
Being jumpy, irritable or easily overwhelmed.
Shutting down, feeling numb, foggy or disconnected.
Reacting strongly, then feeling ashamed afterwards.
Struggling to sleep, or waking up already on edge.
Keeping the peace at any cost, even when it costs you.
Constant tension in your jaw, shoulders or stomach.
Freezing or procrastinating when you really want to act.
“Your nervous system isn’t broken. It learned to protect you, and it can learn safety too.”
Ruth
What affects your nervous system?
Your nervous system is always quietly checking whether you’re safe. Long-term stress, burnout, trauma, difficult or controlling relationships and early experiences can all teach it to stay on alert, or to shut down, as a way of protecting you.
You might recognise this as fight (anger and frustration), flight (anxiety and busyness), freeze (numbness, overwhelm and procrastination) or fawn (people-pleasing). None of these are flaws. They’re clever survival responses that have simply stayed switched on.
The vagus nerve plays a big part in how safe you feel. I explain more in The vagus nerve and feeling safe in your body.
How does nervous system regulation coaching help?
In our one-to-one sessions, we get to know your nervous system: what pushes you into stress, what your body does when it happens, and what helps you come back to calm. Understanding your own patterns is often a huge relief.
You’ll build a toolkit of simple practices, such as breathwork, grounding, orienting and gentle movement, that fit into everyday life. Where it’s helpful, I use Brainspotting to help your body process what it has been holding, alongside parts work and hypnotherapy.
Over time, the aim is to widen your capacity to feel stress without being overwhelmed by it, so you feel steadier, more present and more like yourself.
Is this right for me?
This may feel right if
- You often feel on edge, overwhelmed or shut down
- You understand your patterns, but your body still feels stuck
- You’re recovering from burnout, stress or a difficult relationship
- You’d like simple, practical tools you can use every day
Other support may be better first if
- You’re in crisis or don’t feel safe right now. Please use the urgent help details at the top of this page
- You’ve been feeling low for a while, or you’re struggling to get through the day. Please speak to your GP first
- You’re looking for assessment, diagnosis or treatment for a mental health condition
Not sure? The free 30-minute discovery call is there to talk it through, and if a different kind of support would suit you better, I’ll tell you honestly.
Book a free discovery callFree guide
The Sunday Somatic Reset
A free email every Sunday with one simple practice to help your nervous system settle for the week ahead.
Get the Sunday Somatic Reset
How it works
- 1
Book a free discovery call
We talk about what’s going on for you. There’s no pressure to book.
- 2
One-to-one online sessions
By video, 60 minutes each, usually weekly and flexible to you. Options and pricing
- 3
Review together
Towards the end, we look back and decide whether further sessions would help.
“Her ability to gently steer me towards developing a more grounded and nourishing relationship with myself has been invaluable.”
About Ruth Edwards
I know how it feels to doubt yourself. I struggled with low self-esteem for a long time and was always looking for approval from other people. Understanding how much my body was holding is what finally helped things change, and it’s why I do this work.
I’m a somatic trauma-informed coach and Brainspotting practitioner, based in Shropshire, UK, working with clients online worldwide.
somatic trauma-informed coach · Brainspotting practitioner · BSc (Hons) Psychology · CPD-accredited Narcissistic Abuse Specialist certification
Read my storyNervous system regulation: common questions
What is nervous system regulation?
It’s your body’s ability to move through stress and return to a sense of safety and calm. A regulated nervous system still feels stress, anger or sadness, but it can recover more easily. Regulation is a skill that can be strengthened with support and practice.
What are the signs of a dysregulated nervous system?
Common signs include feeling constantly on edge, anxious or irritable, struggling to rest or sleep, shutting down or feeling numb, overreacting and then feeling ashamed, people-pleasing to keep the peace, and holding lots of tension in your body. Everyone’s pattern is different.
How long does it take to regulate your nervous system?
There’s no set timescale, because it depends on what your body has been through and what support you have. Many people notice small shifts within the first few sessions, like sleeping a little better or calming down more quickly. Lasting change usually comes from gentle, regular practice over time.
Can I do nervous system regulation work online?
Yes. One-to-one sessions are by video call, so you can join from anywhere in the UK or the world, from a space where you already feel comfortable. I also offer in-person Healing Days in Shropshire.
Is this the same as therapy?
No. I’m a somatic trauma-informed coach and Brainspotting practitioner, not a therapist or medical professional. Coaching focuses on understanding your patterns and building practical tools, and it can sit alongside other support from your GP or a therapist.
How many sessions will I need?
There’s no fixed number that suits everyone. Most people start with six 60-minute online sessions, usually weekly and flexible to you. Towards the end we review together where you are and whether further sessions would help. You’re always in charge of what happens next.
Is there a free resource I can start with?
Yes. The Sunday Somatic Reset is a free email each Sunday with one simple practice for your nervous system. You’ll find it on the Resources page, along with my free guide to calming anxiety through the body.