09/02/2025
Unfreezing the Fawn: Working with Appeasement Patterns in Somatic Experiencing®
Register Today: https://traumahealing.org/UnfreezingFawnOct
In moments of threat or dysregulation, our nervous systems make adaptive choices—fight, flight, freeze, or... fawn. Often overlooked or misunderstood, the Fawn response—the instinct to appease, please, or comply—can become deeply woven into a client’s nervous system, posture, affect, and relational patterns. While it may once have ensured safety, chronic appeasement can create long-term impacts on autonomy, boundaries, and authentic self-expression.
In this Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) Short Program, we invite you to explore the Fawn response in greater depth: how it shows up somatically, how to recognize it in clinical or healing settings, and how to skillfully engage with it using SE™ principles.
Whether you're an experienced practitioner or a student refining your skills, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to expand your trauma-informed lens and learn tools for working with this powerful survival strategy.
💡 What You’ll Explore in This Workshop:
-The key somatic and behavioral signs of appeasement and how they differ from other responses
-The physiological basis of the Fawn response, including what science and clinical experience tell us
-How chronic appeasement shows up in body posture, voice, emotional expression, and relational dynamics
-Live demonstration of SE™ techniques for tracking, honoring, and gently unwinding Fawn patterns
-How to support clients in developing healthier boundaries, nervous system regulation, and authentic self-expression
-A critical look at how cultural, familial, and systemic pressures shape Fawn responses—and how to integrate this into trauma-informed care
📚 Learning Objectives:
By the end of the program, participants will be able to:
-Identify at least three clinical indicators of the Fawn response
-Describe the physiological underpinnings of appeasement patterns
-Understand how Fawn responses manifest in posture, affect, and voice
-Apply at least two SE™ interventions to support de-activation of chronic compliance
-Reflect on how broader systems (family, culture, institutions) shape Fawn responses and therapeutic strategies
🎓 SEP™ Students:
Fully attend the live session and receive ½ Case Consultation Credit toward SEP™ certification.
📼 Can’t make it live?
A recording will be provided to all registrants approximately two weeks following the event. Learn at your own pace while still getting full access to the workshop content.
👥 Who Should Attend:
This program is designed for:
-SE™ practitioners and students
-Mental health professionals
-Bodyworkers and somatic therapists
-Coaches and facilitators trained in trauma-sensitive approaches
-Anyone working with nervous system regulation and relational healing
Whether you're encountering chronic appeasement in clients or within your own system, this workshop offers a powerful space for reflection, growth, and skill development.
💳 Member Discount Available:
If you’re a current member, be sure to enter your member discount code during registration.
Not a member yet? Join or renew now to receive your exclusive member pricing and other valuable benefits.
