A young boy joined us for his first day. Coming into a new environment after experiencing bullying at school was no small step for him—or his nervous system. As he entered, I could sense the weight of his emotions immediately. His heart was closed, tears welled in his eyes, and he clung tightly to his mum, hesitant to let her go.

When I looked into his eyes, I could feel the emotions he was holding. I took a moment to connect with him, letting him know he was safe and deeply valued here. But here’s something we often overlook—when it comes to intense emotions, particularly those linked to trauma, the mind alone can’t simply “think” them away. Cognitive strategies can help but aren’t always enough. Emotions are energy, and sometimes, they need to be acknowledged and witnessed so they can move freely.


We Didn’t Need the Story

Here’s the powerful truth: we didn’t have to dive into the story of his bullying or bring up the details of his trauma. We didn’t need to revisit his pain to help him process it. In fact, going into the story can sometimes reactivate the very trauma we’re trying to heal, reinforcing the neural pathways associated with it.

Instead, we focused on the energy he was holding in the present moment. By tuning into his body and creating a safe space, we allowed the emotions to move without attaching a narrative or judgment. It wasn’t about going into the past but about helping him feel safe, grounded, and supported in the now.


Connecting Through Soul Statements

I gently asked him where he felt this energy in his body. He placed his hand on his stomach, showing me the place where he held tension. Rather than trying to "fix" it, I encouraged him to tune into that feeling. We spoke directly to this energy through what we call soul statements:

"I see you. I hear you. I’m listening. You belong."


In simply witnessing and acknowledging this energy, we gave it room to move. By refraining from adding labels or stories, we avoided reactivating the trauma or deepening those neural pathways linked to the experience. And then, something profound happened.

The energy in his body began to shift. A calmness washed over him as he started to feel more at ease. He released his grip on his mum, finding enough comfort in his own body to let her go. Soon, he was playing and connecting with the other children, his energy transformed.

He felt seen, heard, witnessed, and loved. 💖


A Powerful Tool for Parents

This experience is a gentle reminder that children don’t need their emotions “fixed.” They need the space to feel, to witness their own experiences, free from judgment or labels. This approach can be a powerful tool for parents: when a child is feeling a strong emotion, encourage them to locate it in their body. Gently ask, “Where do you feel it?” and speak those soul statements to the energy:

"I see you. I hear you. I’m listening. You belong." Repeat it slowly, with tenderness and sincerity at least three times.

This process can bring about a powerful shift, allowing energy to move without getting trapped in stories. It also allows your child to feel heard and acknowledged.

That beautiful boy ended up making new friends and had the best day ever. 💫


At Heart Brain Harmony, this is a small snippet of what we do—supporting children and families to move through emotions as energy, to find inner peace, and to live with more joy and ease.