THE NERVOUS SYSTEM LAB
This 8-week course is designed to help you better understand your body's stress responses and develop practical tools to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence. Each week combines evidence-based Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills with body-based practices inspired by Somatic Experiencing and Polyvagal-informed principles. Through mindfulness, gentle movement, experiential exercises, discussion, and nervous system education, you'll learn how to regulate emotions, build resilience, and create lasting change - not just in your thoughts, but in your body.
René Connolly
René Connolly is a Mental Health Counselor specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Somatic Experiencing, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Polyvagal-informed interventions. She is passionate about helping people understand their nervous systems and move beyond simply managing symptoms toward creating lasting emotional resilience. René combines neuroscience, experiential learning, mindfulness, and body-based practices to create a supportive and engaging group experience where participants can safely explore, practice, and integrate new ways of responding to stress.
GROUP FACILITATOR
GROUP OUTLINE & GOALS
8-Week Somatic Class: Integrating Breathwork, Stretching, DBT, and Barre-Based Movement
WEEK 1
Understanding Your Nervous System
Theme: Building Awareness
Goal: Learn how the nervous system responds to stress, recognize personal patterns, and begin developing awareness without judgment.
WEEK 2
Finding Safety
Theme: Regulation Before Reaction
Goal: Learn grounding skills and body-based techniques to help your nervous system feel safe enough to settle.
WEEK 3
Befriending Emotions
Theme: Understanding Emotional States
Goal: Develop greater awareness of emotions, identify nervous system cues, and practice responding instead of reacting.
WEEK 4
Stress, Boundaries & Protection
Theme: Honoring Your Limits
Goal: Explore how boundaries support nervous system regulation and practice skills for protecting your emotional energy.
WEEK 5
Working With Activation
Theme: Navigating Anxiety, Anger & Overwhelm
Goal: Learn practical DBT distress tolerance and somatic regulation skills for moments of high emotional intensity.
WEEK 6
Connection & Relationships
Theme: Co-Regulation and Healthy Relationships
Goal: Understand how relationships influence the nervous system while strengthening communication, connection, and self-awareness.
WEEK 7
Building Flexibility & Resilience
Theme: Expanding Your Window of Tolerance
Goal: Increase emotional flexibility, strengthen resilience, and build confidence navigating life's challenges.
WEEK 8
Integration & Moving Forward
Theme: Creating Sustainable Change
Goal: Bring together the tools learned throughout the program, develop a personalized nervous system toolkit, and create a plan for continued growth.