Triggered & Trapped: It's not you, it's your brain—how to regain your momentum and return to peace
Do you blame yourself for your reactions or for getting stuck in them? Maybe you wonder if there is something wrong with you that you just can’t “get over it,” or why you keep reacting in the same damaging ways—maybe lashing out or overeating when you “know better.”
If so, you are not alone. I was right there with you until my years of training in emotional regulation from a neuroscience perspective. Prior to that, I had no awareness of the changes occurring in my brain when I am triggered and how these changes limit my capabilities. Gaining that knowledge has been life-changing for me and for my clients.
Now, many years later, after helping clients move out of self-blame and regain their momentum and peace by understanding and recognizing changes in their brain state, I want to share this knowledge with you.
Why is gaining this knowledge so important?
First, because these are stressful times. With the political news, the violence, the natural disasters, and all the expectations placed upon us—to be thin, model parents, have lots of followers, eat clean, and on and on—we are bound to get triggered!
And then without an understanding of the limitations caused by changes in our brain, we end up beating our heads against the wall, trying to solve problems without the necessary skills. We end up feeling stuck, like in quicksand—blaming ourselves or the situation.
And the harder we try, the further into rage, desperation, or hopelessness we sink.
Since we are bound to get triggered, wouldn’t it be nice not to get stuck there?
In this course, you will
- learn how your capabilities change with changes in your brain state.
- practice identifying when your brain state has changed.
- develop a plan for bringing your whole brain back on board, regaining your momentum, and returning to peace.
Life is hard enough without trying to face it without a fully functional brain.
This self-paced course contains 4 hours of video. The 8 modules are broken into smaller parts in consideration of time constraints and for ease of navigation. There are also downloadable audio versions for on-the-go listening, as well as transcripts of all the modules for easy reference or for those who prefer to read. Each module contains practice exercises designed to help you apply what you are learning to your life and there is a place in the downloadable workbook for you to record your work. There are also downloadable cheat sheets for you to carry with you and use as reminders.
Deb Lang, Psy.D., a Licensed Psychologist, has been helping people develop skills to navigate life’s challenges and increase their confidence for over 30 years. She has a special interest in helping individuals normalize their experiences by understanding how the brain and nervous system function. She is also the author of the Amazon bestselling book, Never Enough—Separating Self-Worth from Approval.
“If you are struggling with anxiety and finding your thoughts often spiraling downward, I would highly recommend this course.” Cheri. K.
“Deb provides specific tools to help us return to a healthy, balanced brain state.” Susan M.
Enroll today to learn how to navigate life’s challenges more effectively with skills for increased resilience.
This course is available for purchase in a bundle with the course You're Going to Worry: Learn how to keep your whole brain online.
Please Note:
20 Lessons
Welcome
Welcome to the course
I'm so glad you are here and taking this course. In this short video I will share with you why what you will learn in this course is so important in regaining your momentum, when you've been triggered. Your course resources are attached and downloadable.
Introduction
Introduction to the course
In this section, I will briefly share with you what we will cover in the course, what you will gain, and why it is so essential in dealing effectively with the challenges we face.
Your Nervous System is Always Listening
Your nervous system is listening
In this section, I will share how our nervous system works to keep us safe and the ways in which we can unexpectedly be sending signals of danger to our nervous system.
A Quick Look at the Brain
A basic model of the brain
In this section I'll provide a very basic way of understanding the brain's structure, focusing on the old triune model of the brain which divides the brain into three parts. I'll briefly explain the functions of each part. The brain is much more complex than what I will share and this basic information will help you in understanding how brain states effect us..
The Balance State
The Balance State—our baseline
In this section I will begin talking about one of the two brain states that will be important for you to recognize—balance. Balance is the state that allows our body to restore and which allows us to learn, grow, and feel love and connection. It is our baseline state and the state we want to return to after being triggered.
We are different people while tipped
Looking at how we are different
In this section, we'll explores how changes in the brain when the nervous system detects a threat change who we are and how we see and interact with the world.
How to Recognize You are Tipped
Introduction to module on how to recognize when you are tipped
The goal for this module is for you to have a clear picture of what it looks like to be tipped. We will look at cognitions, feelings, behaviors and perceptions
Part One—Cognitive Abilities While Tipped
In this section, Deb explores the cognitive impacts of being in a tipped state. While tipped, stressed hormones inhibit higher cognitive functioning leading to potential damage to relationships and decisions we later regret.
Part Two—Feelings While Tipped
In this section, I share how our feelings are impacted by the tipped brain state. Feelings intensify and go out of balance due to the absence of the higher cognitive abilities furthering our tip. We are also unable to feel rewarding emotions such as joy which usually also intensifies our tip.
Part Three—Behaviors While Tipped
In this section we will look at the impact of being tipped on our behaviors. Without the evaluative abilities of our adult capabilities we often behave impulsively and regret the consequences.
Part Four—Perceptions While Tipped
In this section we explore the impact of being tipped, and without the evaluative abilities of our higher cognitive capabilities, on how we see ourselves others and the world, or our perceptions.
What to Do
Introduction
This is the module I imagine you've been waiting for—the what to do module. Because there is so much information to share in this module, I have broken it up into five parts. Be sure to take your time, take breaks, and practice as you go.
Part One—Awareness
In this first part of the What to Do module, the focus is on increasing self-awareness. You won't be able to change your state without noticing it first. In this part, I'll share strategies for increasing your skill at noticing.
Part Two—Ways of Approaching Being Tipped
In this part of the what to do module, I will share two basic categories or approaches for moving from a tipped to a balanced state.
Part Three—Reconnecting with Your Adult Capabilities
In this section we will focus on purposely reconnecting with our higher cognitive abilities that have been inhibited by the stress hormones. While tipped we are often unaware that we are not using these abilities and so one strategy or approach is to actively engage those capabilities.
Part Four—Calming Your Nervous System
In this section we will explore numerous strategies for calming your nervous system in order to allow your system to return to Balance or the Rest and Restore state.
Part Five—When you just have to ride it out
In this part I introduce the "Desperate State" and describe it as an adult version of a temper tantrum. We look at what to do when your strategies don't bring you back to balance or you are in the desperate state, as well as how to minimize harm.
Summing it Up
A summary
In this module, I'm will briefly summarize the course so that if you ever feel like you need a quick review, you will have this module to come back to.
Guided Meditations
Meditation Downloads
This lesson houses the downloadable meditations for the course.
Q & A Sessions
January 2026
A prerecorded session of questions sent in during December