TARA - The Thermometer of Regulation

The Thermometer of Regulation is a core practice tool for the implementation of the Trauma, Attachment and Resilience into Action Practice Model (hereafter TARA) (Lotty 2021; 2023a). TARA fosters a strengths-based mindset, orientated towards supporting engagement in the process of resilience, our capacity to adapt positively in the face of adversity (Lotty, 2023b). Trauma does not operate in a vacuum, given human experience is complex.  The lived experience of trauma involves also is  complex and involves an  interplay between many variables, that are often  shielded in presence and availability of resources.  These resources are not only just found within us, within our clients, service users, we may describe these as resiliency skills (coping skills) but also these resources are found across our socio-ecology (Bronfenbrenner, 2000), in safe relationships, in community resources that foster a sense of belonging and in the social structures of society such as secure and stable housing, access to quality health care, education, housing, childcare and /or employment. These resources give use strength to face adversity provide us positive experiences and the can be built over time and help us engage in resilience. However, when the weight of adversity and or trauma is too great, often in the absence of resources to help  shield the impact, adverse experiences may be prolonged, repetitive, interpersonal by nature, involve chronic forms of traumas adapting positively is very difficult. Nevertheless, we must adapt to get going, these ways of coping can become problematic overtime, have serious implications for our health, relationships, how we are living and managing our lives.

The Thermometer of Regulation Tool support recognising  these ways of coping that may have become defaults when stressed or even ways of living that are often rooted in trauma for those with whom we work with and indeed for us as practitioners working ‘with trauma’. It provides  a  shared reference, a shred language to recognise and name  ours and others autonomic stress responses. 

The Red Zone the top of the thermometer relates to a Flight/Flight reaction, the  Hyperarousal Zone-  this is when is the body becomes hyper aroused- experienced by  increased heart rate, quickened breath, raised body temperature, stomach doing somersaults, muscles are tight, body is restless, emotions may include anxiety, frustration, agitation,  stress, feeling overwhelmed, thinking may be  disorganised and chaotic, what you see is  behaviour that is   hyper, impulsive, inflexible, aggressive, anxious, manipulative, yelling shouting, crying, out of control for some this has become a default,  this is the familiar place, this is where they go often when stressed. How do these behaviours  provoke us to react?

For others it is a Freeze reaction, at the bottom of the thermometer the Blue Zone -the Hypoarosual state- the body communicates this to us as the heart rate slows, the breath slows, muscles loosen, body feels cold, emotions are disconnected, shut down , , numbness, separation from self, thoughts are disconnected, perhaps there is even memory  loss, disassociation. What you see is behaviours that avoid, zone out, disengaged , withdrawing, distancing, isolating, on auto pilot, for some this is their default, their familiar place, the place they occupied  and  served them well when they were experiencing overwhelming stress keep them safe and now when they are re-experiencing the stress, they go there again by default. how do these behaviours  provoke us to react?

The we can think of the Green Zone- the Optimal Arousal Zone- here the body feels calm , safe, and connected , we have  capacity to  engaged with others, connect  to our emotions, regulate our emotions and behaviours, process our memories and thoughts , we feel  connected, synchronised, our  heart body and mind is integrated. What you see is behaviour – that is purposeful, flexible, considered, responsive, regulated.  

Trauma involves  prolonged activation of the stress response system, this  makes us  highly sensitised to fight, flight, and freeze reactions by repeated doses of the stress hormone cortisol, heightens bias to threat, even seeing threat where there is no threat, and our reactions are more easily activated/triggered by experiences, reminders and  propel us  into the red zone or the blue zone.

Creating  a vicious cycle of getting stuck, stuck in the Red Zone of hyperarousal or the Blue Zone of hypoarosual  reducing our capacity to come into the Green Zone  and engage in the process of resilience.  TARA support not entrenching these defaults  and support a pathway out of them through a practice mindset and skillset.

Associated research: TARA Project | University College Cork (ucc.ie)https://www.ucc.ie/en/iss21/researchprojects/researchprojects/taraproject/