Stuck Not Broken
Stuck Not Broken
Justin Sunseri
Safety First: Why Prescribed "Trauma Exercises" Can Backfire
18 minutes Posted Aug 19, 2025 at 12:00 pm.
Introduction and Disclaimer00:28 - Viewer Question About TRE Exercises01:24 - Perspective on TRE and Trauma Recovery04:01 - Understanding Fight/Flight and Shutdown States08:01 - Additional Context About Freeze State10:32 - Importance of Safety and Mindful Movement12:18 - Addressing the Original Question15:01 - Information About the Unstucking Academy🌸 Not sure which stuck state you're in? Recognize where you're at and join the free community here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=stuck-pageIt helps you recognize your state. It never tells you what you are. No quiz, no verdict, no card.🤩 Ready to go deeper? Explore resources at every price point here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/how-i-can-help-you?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=how-i-can-help🙂 Don't know the Polyvagal Theory? Catch up here - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy.  Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship.  Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms.  Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! When you do, you will immediately get the next episode as soon as it's available. What's better than having the next episode of SNB ready and waiting for you? (Nothing, that's what.)Mentioned in this episode:Naming Your StucknessNot sure which stuck state you're in? That's normal, and more common than you'd think. I made a free page that lays the stuck states out in plain language so you can find words for what you're experiencing. No quiz, no email just to look:
Safety First: Why Prescribed "Trauma Exercises" Can Backfire
Introduction and Disclaimer
Viewer Question About TRE Exercises
Perspective on TRE and Trauma Recovery
Understanding Fight/Flight and Shutdown States
Additional Context About Freeze State
Importance of Safety and Mindful Movement
Addressing the Original Question
Information About the Unstucking Academy
0:00
18:18
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Show notes
A viewer asked about TRE exercises that seemed to help with anxiety but left them feeling numb and disconnected. In this episode, I break down what might have gone wrong and why I take a fundamentally different approach to nervous system healing.🔑 Key Topics Covered:• Why prescribed movement exercises can backfire• The difference between fight-or-flight, freeze, and shutdown states• Why safety must come before any trauma work• How to work WITH your nervous system instead of against it• The problem with "hacks" and shortcuts in healing🎯 My Approach:Instead of prescribed movements, I focus on:Building a strong safety foundation firstMindfully connecting with your current stateAllowing natural self-regulation to unfoldFollowing your body's wisdom, not external protocols📚 Want to Learn More?Join the Unstucking Academy - a small, intimate community (limited to 150 members) where we practice these principles together. Features the Unstucking Pathway: bite-sized lessons under 10 minutes each, taking you from Polyvagal basics to mastering skills like pendulation and balancing.👉 Learn more: StuckNotBroken.com/UnstuckingAcademyTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction and Disclaimer00:28 - Viewer Question About TRE Exercises01:24 - Perspective on TRE and Trauma Recovery04:01 - Understanding Fight/Flight and Shutdown States08:01 - Additional Context About Freeze State10:32 - Importance of Safety and Mindful Movement12:18 - Addressing the Original Question15:01 - Information About the Unstucking Academy🌸 Not sure which stuck state you're in? Recognize where you're at and join the free community here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=stuck-pageIt helps you recognize your state. It never tells you what you are. No quiz, no verdict, no card.🤩 Ready to go deeper? Explore resources at every price point here - https://www.stucknotbroken.com/how-i-can-help-you?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=audio&utm_campaign=how-i-can-help🙂 Don't know the Polyvagal Theory? Catch up here - https://player.captivate.fm/collection/cce134e7-1550-4d33-8e56-738d344c63b0This and other content produced by Justin Sunseri (“JustinLMFT”) (i.e; podcast, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or be a replacement for therapy.  Nothing in this creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship.  Please consult with your therapist or seek for one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms.  Nothing should be construed to be specific life advice; it is for educational and entertainment purposes only.Justin Sunseri is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist registered in the State of California (#99147).Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast! When you do, you will immediately get the next episode as soon as it's available. What's better than having the next episode of SNB ready and waiting for you? (Nothing, that's what.)Mentioned in this episode:Naming Your StucknessNot sure which stuck state you're in? That's normal, and more common than you'd think. I made a free page that lays the stuck states out in plain language so you can find words for what you're experiencing. No quiz, no email just to look:
https://www.stucknotbroken.com/stuck?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=dynamic_spot&utm_campaign=stuck-page