When a Client Is Stuck in the Freeze Response

What triggers the freeze response?

We tend to think of traumatic events, but according to Peter Levine, PhD, that’s not always the case. Even a perceived threat can be enough for a client to get stuck in a frozen state.

So how can we help clients who are stuck in the freeze response to move forward? Have a listen.

Click here for full transcript

This guy came in, and this is when I was doing mind body work in the 60’s, he came in and he was having jaw problems. His jaw was just rigid, he had TMJ, so I was working with those muscles and helping to reach him, helping him to relax the jaw muscles. Then all of a sudden this image came up. He had wanted to be promoted in his job and it looked like this other person was kind of making nice with the boss, and so he felt like he wanted to kill this guy. But he couldn’t do that of course, obviously he had to stop it, but his jaw had it so as he released that in his jaw, that’s when the whole image released and his perceived threat from another person, just about a job promotion, but it was perceived threat. I think there are a lot of reasons why we get stuck. Using this simple example of this guy, socially it would be inappropriate and would have caused him all kinds of problems, so he needed to suppress that anger and you suppress it with the muscles. This is what villains do, like I talked about armoring. So you have this unacceptable feeling and you armor against that feeling, in this case it was in his jaw and actually the way it came out he had this image actually of biting this guy. I mean how primal can you get? Other reasons are, again, socially unacceptable and the other thing is we’re afraid of the energy that’s locked in our bracing responses and our freeze responses, so the very sensations that will help take us out of the freeze response, back into balance, into equilibrium, into inner regulation, those sensations are frightening, often to a person, and so they stop those sensations from happening. But it’s the very sensations that will take them out of the freeze response that they’re stopping. Maybe this person who was getting passed over for a promotion, maybe he even starts talking about how he just was so upset that this other person got promoted and that he didn’t. So while he’s talking, I see his jaw starting to stiffen, I see his shoulders starting to come up, and I might say, “I’m just wondering if you’re noticing what’s happening in your jaw or your shoulders just while you’re talking about this. We can talk about it, let’s just put the the talk to the side for a few moments and you can come back to it anytime you want, but just see what you’re noticing right now in your jaw.” Then I might have them do some movements, like just opening the jaw until you feel an increase in the resistance, in the tension, then letting the jaw close a little bit, then allowing it to open a little bit more, and then letting it close. Again, every time there’s a release of activation, the release of energy, just encourage the client. So just noticing those sensations, maybe a report of tingling, just notice the time, notice if it increases or if it decreases or if they change. Listen to if it stays the same or if it changes to something else. It’s working with the energy the activation that’s gotten locked in to those frozen muscles. That’s really the key, it really is you.

According to Peter, the energy that is “locked up” in a client’s frozen state is the exact energy we need to target to help them find a release.

You can hear more about how to skillfully navigate the freeze response in the Advanced Master Program on the Treatment of Trauma. Bessel van der Kolk, MD; Pat Ogden, PhD; Stephen Porges, PhD; and other top experts will get into exactly what to do (and what NOT to do) when a client freezes in your office.

What are your biggest takeaways from this video? How might you use this in your practice? Please leave a comment below and let us know.

If you found this helpful, here are a few more resources you might be interested in:

[Infographic] How to Differentiate Between the Freeze and Shutdown Trauma Responses

Working with the Freeze Response in the Treatment of Trauma with Stephen Porges, PhD

How to Help a Client Come Back from Freezing in a Session

Please Leave A Comment

71 Comments

Sandy Brooke, Counseling, Spokane, WA, USA says

Hello I appreciate all the time you put into this. I am a licensed mental health counselor in spokane wa. I have been working with trauma victims for 22 years. Presently I have a 24 year old client who is so stuck as you have spoken about here. He was so dominated by his father that he was told what to do everyday all day and didn’t even develop an identity. I can understand his greatness but if I tell him what I see he is a gentle humble great man and he only wants to be alone and fish in a not so safe boat. His PTSD has driven him way inside and he has a deep shame spiral with no goals for the future.

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Doug Poulin, Health Education, Hampden, ME, USA says

I am trying to watch the video but ironically when i push the arrow it seems to be stuck in freeze response. I invite therapy to unfreeze this video.

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Jeffrey Lawton, Another Field, Camarillo, CA, USA says

My late malignant mother’s emotional abuse was off the charts. My body hasn’t given any sign of responding in concert with my feelings in decades. I’ve even lost the ability to fall asleep EVER without taking a prescription antipsychotic. Naturally in my current state therapy modalities like EMDR and SE don’t do a thing, but I wish I had access to something like that. If I’ve been reading about this correctly I have connection survival style and I’m stuck in dorsal vagal state (that’s how it seems anyway). Is there any real possibility of recovering, is there anything that the therapy community knows how to do about this and who would I contact?

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- Will Franko, Another Field, CA says
  
  So sorry you were so badly mistreated. Hopefully one of the professionals here provides you with some helpful resources.
  
  Reply
- Linda Hilliker, Nursing, Denver, CO, USA says
  
  Hi Jeffrey—you could looking into having auricular acupuncture—NADA 5 needle protocol. Acupuncturists without Borders and other organizations such as community supported acupuncture groups offer this treatment for people exposed to traumatic circ*mstances. It can be very helpful in easing the nervous system. Low cost. Best to have repeated treatments over time. 🧘‍♂️ I’m a psych np and acupuncturist
  
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- Tessa Mi, GB says
  
  I empathise with you! I have Complex PTSD.
  I began a course of IOPT therapy which reveals our unconscious trauma. I have been doing this for five years now, and it has been life changing. I am now having EMDR in conjunction with my IOPT therapy.
  I would research this, it is worth a try.
  Therapists are available online in the UK
  
  Reply
Janice Suskey, Counseling, USA says

Would it be considered “frozen” when their appears to be no inner motivation /trigger to action? I have a 23 yr old, very intelligent male client who cares & wants to do things but becomes “distracted”by computer games, youtube videos, books & the action (showering, accomplishing a task) never comes. His self-talk, consequently is negative and demeaning. Client has a belief that he “should” be able to function & doesn’t ask for help.

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- Louise Bolla, Coach, GB says
  
  Try acupuncture and even osteopathy too if he’s willing. It’s a combination of blocks in the body and things like what TCM calls dampness/phlegm that needs to be shifted. That’s what I’m currently doing along with SE
  
  Reply
- Dejah, Teacher, Florence, AZ, USA says
  
  This sounds like ADHD. I myself have this and so does my son. It’s more than what people think it is. It’s a disconnect between what you know you should do and the executive functioning that tagged that information and allows you to act on it. I’m a cognitive coach and we do brain exercises to strengthen this. Try looking up the nectar group.
  
  Reply
- Cherry Lane, Another Field, FI says
  
  Or he might be on autism spectrum and also have ADD/ADHD.
  
  Reply
KATHLEEN GIERHART, Counseling, Clearwater Beach, FL, USA says

what about if they are stuck in a freeze mode in terms of no emotion for months. He describes as not even numb but no affect.

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- Will Franko, Other, CA says
  
  Sounds like dissociation.
  
  Reply
  - Dawn K, Counseling, IA, USA says
    
    Agree
    
    Reply
Rasik Rajguru, Physical Therapy, IN says

I treat the same / similar by using what I call ‘FOCUSED INTENT’ after putting the client into REM sleep using aromatherapy, massage or reflexology to release the ‘energy’.

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Ruth Rieckmann, Counseling, DE says

Acupoint tapping, telling a little bit about the story, but focusing more on the physical sensations and emotions that are emerging during tapping is my favorite tool when the feelings or sensations are overwhelming for the client. Ronald Hindmarsh/Germany has developed a very helpful extra step in his systemic tapping approach: bow to the system and be deeply grateful, that it has controlled the frozen energy for such a long time when it was not safe to express it.

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- Maaike Bluemi, Physical Therapy, NL says
  See Also
  How to Overcome the Freeze Response - NICABM A Closer Look at Stress Responses | Ashley Addiction Treatment Treating the Dissociative Child PTSD Recovery: Dealing With the Freeze Response
  
  Interessant
  
  Reply
- Remmich, Another Field, CA says
  
  I searched Ronald Hindmarsh, on YouTube, his postings are in German or ? language. Do you know of any English videos or books he has please?
  
  Reply
  - Cherry Lane, Another Field, FI says
    
    Youtube has subtitles? Or ask him to make them?
    
    Reply
Fiona Andersen, Social Work, AU says

Great strategy! how do we treat someone with Globus Sensation? a somatic lump in the throat due to an unsupportive environment and unable to speak up?

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- Sarah Smith, Coach, DE says
  
  I would like to know that, too
  
  Reply
- Sarah Smith, Coach, DE says
  
  I would like to know that, too
  
  Reply
- Amy M., Naturopathic Physician says
  
  If it’s of interest, in Natropathy we use remedies like homeopathic Ignatia amara to help move the stuck grief and that globus hystericus sensation.
  
  Reply
Karen Franke, Counseling, AU says

Very helpful. Thank you.

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Menique Perera, Counseling, AU says

Thank you Peter Levine & Ruth for sharing this special wisdom!

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Jenine Lamberton, Social Work, AU says

I love this. My biggest take aways are; the client’s narrative provides the window to their stuck energy, don’t get distracted by the story but instead notice signs of energy shifts in their body, focus the client’s attention on their body and teach them to notice images and memories that come up to locate the unresolved little t traumas that are causing the current issues for the client.

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Roger Cacchiotti, Coach, New York, NY, USA says

This is very helpful. I wok work with youth in drama groups and when we do physical movements for sustained periods of time it releases emotions they are not prepared to deal with, or they simply refuse to participate. Some students don’t come back! What I have to understand is that physical movement releases many emotions that most young people are not able to understand. I need to be aware of this in my work. Thank you

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Srishti Nigam, Medicine, CA says

He is exceptional among SE Therapist
My jaw just drops when I see him in Action
It’s almost Magical

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Edward Beharry, Psychology, CA says

“Working with the energy that is locked in the frozen muscles”. Helping the person to notice the bodily responses when you as a therapist is working with the client. I have found Dr. Levine’s work to be transformative in conceptualizing the bodily impact of trauma on the individual, the freeze response, and to give practical methods to intervene, and help decrease the person’s suffering.

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Carol Kalvelage, Counseling, Rochester Hills, MI, USA says

I was so glad to read that Alanis Morrisette really likes Peter Levine’s works. Mr Levine is one of my all time favorites and we use a quote of his for my work…Mandala Assessment Research Instrument…I’ve been delving into his cell memory and releasing trauma material. I love this too! In fact, I’m was hoping to get Alanis Morisettes blessing to use a verse from her song Thank U in a quote for a post. “the moment I let go of it, was the moment I got more than I could handle…and the moment I jumped off of it, was the moment I touched ground”…..I love that song and that verse came true for me recently. I credit Alanis for helping me get to this stage in my life. Her music keeps healing as the years go by!

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Lo Taurus, Stress Management, Denver, CO, USA says

I think about how still that might activate a patient, noticing. Would it be then to work at might be so feint/subtle or less catalyzed micro-movements?

Lo Taurus, LCSW

Denver

720-252-1909

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Karen Macke, Counseling, Waynesville, NC, USA says

This is a nice way to approach a client about the tension they hold in their body. Thank-you!

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Anonymous, Social Work, Highlands, NJ, USA says

Over many years Peter Levine’s work has been transformative for me personally and for my practice. Great thanks to you, Peter!

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Anonymous says

Great description. Helpful.

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Nan, Psychology, FL, USA says

So true. So many therapists move into the talk therapy before that important signaling from the nervous system is noticed and addressed.
So important to address that lower level brain before higher level cognition can work best

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- Srishti Nigam, Medicine, CA says
  
  Agree whole heartedly that we need to drop in the body to engage and address the lower brain( Brain Stem) where life is lived first eg.
  Breath , movement, connection ,touch etc with conscious awareness.Higher or Cognitive Brain is off Line.
  
  Reply
- Joyia Evans, Counseling, Raleigh, NC, USA says
  
  Nan, I will like to know more about targeting the nervous system and if there are resources in the North Carolina area to help with rebuilding the nervous system.
  
  Reply
Elizabeth Hugo, Another Field, USA says

Thanks

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Amanda Webb, Psychotherapy, AU says

Thanks Peter …I love my job and if you hadn’t created SE I wouldn’t be helping clients do this type of intervention every day. What a gift.

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Lynn Skunta, Counseling, North Olmsted , OH, USA says

All emotions are energy. They have to be released. Teaching our clients to notice their physical response to an event in the present teaches them to acknowledge the uncomfortable physical and emotional response and release the energy of the emotion in a safe way. Many years ago there was trauma conference in Chicago. It was designed to address levels of experience. There was a paper presented called the BASK Model. Behavior, Affect, Sensation, Knowledge, teaching our clients to pay attention to themselves in the moment, notice their physical response and loosen the part or parts of their body allows them to release the energy. This decreases their somatic complaints and symptoms. Thank you Dr. Levine for sharing the example. Lynn Skunta LPCC-S Cleveland, Ohio. I’ve been working in mental health since 1976-77. I still love the work!

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Pete Smillie, Another Field, Mountain View, CA, USA says

Alexander Lowen was a patient of Wilhelm Reich, who went on to formulate his own version of bioenergetic analysis. He wrote several books on how useful it can be to access tensions in the body in therapy. There is a physical component to every emotion – blocked or not – and these can provide a more direct route in helping clients.

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Marcia Harms, Marriage/Family Therapy, Poulsbo, WA, USA says

Thanks for the reminder of the body response to this world tragedy that now is bringing in clients to process. I literally understand the freeze response lately on a more sublle level. After I end my day, my body has been going into a immobilzed state and causing a disruption in life joy and health.

It is so good we know how important this nervous system is and how we can help this immobilized responses, the better. Thanks for the reminder of even the jaw. We will see a lot of locked joints in the months to come.

If I had a SE therapist in the area I would refer them in a heartbeat. I find the immobilization reminded me of catatonic clients, noted how important my freeze state could get worse. It is alreay affecting my joints and sleep. Instead of shutting down, breath control can get the system in line with calming down the day. The day used to energize me but lately is doing just the opposite. It does not matter how long ago this issue came up, I found it a good reminder for me to not allow the unnecessary freeze state which have learned how to monitor.

We cannot change the society today in the short term but small steps to help their nervous system is mandatory. Thanks for the reminder of small steps we can do so no one is overwhelmed.

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Kristen Trottier, Social Work, USA says

Thank you, Dr. Levine! As I listened to the video I realized my jaw was holding tension and I followed his recommendation of how to release that, and it worked beautifully and immediately! Now I can feel the slight headache I’ve had since waking slowly easing away.

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Kristen Trottier, Social Work, USA says

I’m not skeptical of a 60 year old story. Neither anger nor rage nor how a person might hold those emotions in their muscles and in their body would change in 60 years.

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- Karen Brown, Marriage/Family Therapy, USA says
  
  I am not ashamed to state that I am a living testimony concerning his statements of Immobility and holding tension in ones jaw. On many accounts, individuals outside of the medical field have made comments. Whenever the tension (energy) is contained within my jaw, ART eye movements serve me well.
  
  Reply
Sleiman Abou-Hamdan, Coach, AU says

Thank you for sharing Peter.
I love seeing clients get more clarity of the primary emotion that sits beneath the secondary observable emotion.
Peter, would you consider the client’s anger as secondary emotion for the shame of missing the promotion, or a primary emotion of rage (as Panksepp would explain as primary emotion) for the promotion being taken away from him?
Sleiman Abou-Hamdan
Clinical Psych

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- Srishti Nigam, Medicine, CA says
  
  Actually it is the emotion called “Murderous Rage” that is being Repressed by – Shame Disgust ,Repulsion and almost Self – Loathing.
  Just a misunderstanding that Emotions are not the same as Action/Behavior . Emotional patterns are set in early childhood when Cognitive Brain hasn’t yet evolved.
  Peter seems to work at the Cellular level in the Body
  
  Reply
- anonymous AA, Psychotherapy, DC, USA says
  
  This is the question I would like to ask and know the answer in more details. “would you consider the client’s anger as secondary emotion for the shame of missing the promotion, or a primary emotion of rage (as Panksepp would explain as primary emotion) for the promotion being taken away from him?” Thanks.
  
  Reply
Caroline J. Clark, Marriage/Family Therapy, Henderson , NV, USA says

Dr. Levine, thank you for your powerful, insightful reminders that a therapist may misinterpret during the therapeutic process. Your reminder of ‘How’ the body keeps score came at the right time for me to apply to a current client case. Your insightful reminder brought me back to Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk’s book The Body Keeps The Score. Currently, am revisiting his book. Thank you!
CJClark, LMFT

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Mary Denise Walton, Counseling, Costa Mesa, CA, USA says

Very interesting. I am learning some of Dr. Levine’s methods with Brain Spotting.

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Brian Warren, Other, Rangeley, ME, USA says

Actually I believe the comments are very much aligned with the concept of Integration in the current field of Interpersonal Neurobiology.

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- Kristen Trottier, Social Work, USA says
  
  Agreed. If anything, current science in interpersonal neurobiology is finally catching up to Dr. Levine’s ground breaking work of the 1960s.
  
  Reply
Brian Warren, Other, Rangeley, ME, USA says

As a board member of the Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust I was delighted to hear Peter’s explanation of Reich’s theory. Thanks so much.

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Lamees Mansur, Other, CA, USA says

I always appreciated Peter Levine and his work with Trauma from way back. How our bodies hold tension, and many times in frozen states, that hamper us with pain and imbalance over the years. He works well in undoing the freeze and that is something we, who are not therapist, can also gently work with ourselves with awareness to help gently undo the freeze.

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Denise Boman, Psychology, Truth or Consequences, NM, USA says

… A True ‘Freeze’ Response (for those of us that were born with ‘vaso-vagal syncope’ – but did not die a crib death…) is more like a temporary fainting effect! (You do need physical response of ‘lying down & elevating your feet above your head 20 min or so’ & you will be perfectly fine!) … And, Yes, it is many ‘physical actions’ (that I have developed over almost 80 yrs of living in this body) that help ‘Manage’ the fainting response …

Thank you for bringing back to my attention, the James-Lange “Theory of Emotions” …

Denise ‘Dee’ Boman
dboman13@gmail.com

Note:
For those w/conventional ‘Fight or Flight’ Vagus Nerve, perhaps a term like ‘Brain/Limbic Shut-Down’ might better apply since anger/fight feeling was ‘initial state’ not “Physiological Calm Retreat into Sleep State” of A Non-Myelinated Vagus Nerve…)

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- Srishti Nigam, Medicine, CA says
  
  Agreed
  
  Reply
Khadro Ramien, Other, CA says

Hi Peter such a power and yet simple way to unlock “locked up” energy. We often normalize the tension we feel anywhere in our body system as “how I am”, and yet when we sit with a kind and compassion clinician who helps us to notice how we react with our body to a situation that took place a long time ago and in the recounting of that event causes the same tension to be present NOW. This helps us to discharge that “locked up” energy, thank you Peter for reminding us to be kind, compassionate and listen with care.
Khadro
Your Little Sister in Canada

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Donalee Rooks, Counseling, Alexandria , VA, USA says

Very helpful in working with clients to integrate brain/body awareness.

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Rebecca Todd, Other, Cincinnati , OH, USA says

How do I find a therapist near me who is trained to do this work?

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- Barbara Wade, Social Work, ZA says
  
  Hi Rebecca look on the website SETI . They list practitioners trained in somatic experiencing, Peter Levine ‘s model. Somatic experiencing trauma institute.
  Barbara Wade
  
  Reply
- Tessa Gunn, Psychotherapy, GB says
  
  Hi Rebecca
  
  It doesn’t only have to be an SE (somatic experience/ing) therapist. Many therapists whose original methodology had roots in the pioneering work of Reich will incoporate somatic, or body process, work into their therapeutic model. This includes sensorimotor therapists, Gestalt therapists with a particular interest in trauma and body process; body therapists; biodynamic massage therapists and more besides. The key things are to find a therapist confident and comfortable in working with trauma, body AND relationship (eg transferential patterns) – as many of these body symptoms also have roots also in attachment patterns between child and parent/carer. Good luck!
  
  Reply
  - Srishti Nigam, Medicine, CA says
    
    Dry well put
    
    Reply
Charlene Carter, Psychology, Milwaukee , WI, USA says

Peter is delightful! I love all the books. So helpful in working with patients who are ill.

My husband died suddenly after a heart event. No warning. I gave cpr which did not work. Emt’s could not revive him. I was in shock, stoic except for all that had to be done. The first time I froze doing anything re the estate it was for two weeks. I was unable to make a judgment about the lawyer’s proposal. Then, like magic,I came out of it. I froze at shorter and shorter intervals over time. My husband of 53 years died 3/13/19. I just accepted the freezing without anxiety and it went away. I don’t freeze anymore but I wonder if there is something wrong that I don’t cry. It feels as though the pain and loss is too deep to cry. Other than that, I am doing very well.

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- Rosie Whitehead says
  
  I was using one of his very simple therapies of reclaiming my body. He means it when he says not to do these alone. I was simply tapping the back of my hand and saying ‘this is the back of my hand…this is my hand.’ And I panicked because I could not breathe. I had the ‘body memory’ of being held down and abused to the point I could not breathe. I did not expect that to happen. I am also afraid to cry because of my losses and I think if I start I will never stop, and who can live like that…but who will go through it with me to keep me safe? Trust is already the issue. I have had some success by postponing the ‘overwhelm’ til I am alone, but that just piles on the secrets, doesn’t it.
  
  Reply
- Andra Ellis, Other, USA says
  
  Charlene and Rosie, I am so very sorry for the sorrow-filled and frightening parts of life. From similar experiences as a young girl and adult woman (family trauma and the unexpected passing of my husband 2 years ago), I notice parts of me are able to be with the tears and numbing results for minutes at time, and then a part needs to keep moving, going. The late in life panic and anxiety from driving high overpasses has finally been seen as a fear, a belief, from childhood that I wouldn’t really make it. That “survivor part” of me (referring to Richard Schwartz’s IFS approach), felt safe enough to be heard 51 years after the event in my family.
  
  I know I will make it. I may feel numb at times, but it passes and the tears flow as I am ready for them to be on my face.
  
  Blessings and love to you both. ?
  
  Reply
Joseph Izzo, M.A., L.I.C.S.W., Social Work, Washington, DC, USA says

Peter uses a combination of body mindfulness and physiological movements to help free the person from the ‘stuckness’ of the freeze reaction. I have never gone wrong in a therapy session when I help a client to become aware of their body. A simple comment like “I’m noticing your head dropping down and your eyes avoiding contact with me.” Are you aware of that? Are you noticing any emotions coming up? Inevitably, we usually discuss what memory, belief or in-session interaction provoked a shame response.

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Linda Gantt, Bruceton Mills , WV, USA says

We treated a woman who had a conversion reaction. Her right leg was paralyzed. It turned out she was at the wheel of the car when her husband got out to open the garage door. She had been very angry at him and had an impulse to floor the gas and run over him. But she didn’t because her leg would not respond.

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Grace, Other, AU says

Brilliant! I’ve experienced Somatic Experiencing – simple and profound. Just by ‘listening’ to the somatics that appear. Thumbs up!

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Kay Gottrich LCPC RIST, ICST, THTC, Counseling, USA says

I appreciate learning from Dr Levine.

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Stefanie, Counseling, GB says

Hi My Clt has the fear of injuring his back again after two past episodes; he is a farmer & his controlling father who is an invalid now refuses to sign over the farm to him even though my client is doing all the work & running the business…..he hasn’t addressed/realized the controlling behaviour of his father even though his father still calls him “boy” & and he is 41 yrs old …… thank you for the insights

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- Miranda Taylor, Nutrition, Seattle, WA, USA says
  
  I am not a therapist but an acupuncturist and nutritional therapist 17 years in practice.
  “Boy” cannot depend on his father signing over a farm to him. Boy needs to train another boy and find another job on another farm or re- train and get another life where he has sone semblance of control. He may never get respect from his father no matter how much he has earned it.
  It sounds to me like he needs to let his father go and save his own life.
  
  Reply
Daisy Zoll, Other, GB says

fascinating, raises SO many questions
Thank you for giving Peter Levine’s observation space.

Reply

When a Client Is Stuck in the Freeze Response - NICABM (2024)

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