The regulate program is the most comprehensive, well organized and complete program for nervous system dysregulation and brain retraining I’ve encountered. The additional support of the community, the level of engagement and opportunities for growth within it is unparalleled to what I’ve experienced. I start to feel like I am transforming now, going beyond healing symptoms; it’s almost as if that has become secondary to me.
I find my ability to self regulate has grown immensely and I no longer use the tools to push the wounds away or cover them up, it is starting to become my way of being. The MCS is so much better, from sleeping outdoors to sometimes barely noticing a strong perfume or the off gassing of a freshly painted room. I can sleep without my window open. When I do get a reaction it is much more manageable and less severe in terms of duration and physical response. Depression and anxiety are much lower. I feel more confident and connected to my true self.
In short, I love this program and I am so grateful for it. It contains so much depth and wisdom, and Cathleen has manage to create an ever evolving platform for mutual transformation and growth.
After 45+ years of illness and anxiety, and 20+ years of trying every single healing modality I could find, I am finally coming home to myself. Not only are my symptoms about 90% gone, I have a new, tender, trusting relationship with myself and my body. I always had a deep sense (it felt like a dream) that life could be so much easier, more peaceful and enjoyable. And now I’m finally experiencing that on a daily basis. In real life, in my body. Challenges still arise, but I am SO much more capable of handling them.
The Regulate program is absolutely amazing. I feel like the Primal Trust team has thought of everything. The tools Dr. Cat teaches are simple and totally doable. Now I just weave them into my everyday life. I can hardly believe the difference it makes to have the right combination of practices. My nervous system is getting these fundamental experiences that it never had growing up or throughout most of my adult life. It feels like a miracle- at the age of 46 to actually be feeling this way in my body for the first time ever. I cannot thank you enough.
Every so often I meet someone who has mold illness or an autoimmune diagnosis. When they ask me what I’ve done to deal with these things, I basically tell them: I tried 1,000 things that each helped a little bit, but then my symptoms came back or new ones appeared. Then I found Primal Trust, and now I just keep getting better and better- physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. It’s the most comprehensive, well-designed, expertly taught program I’ve ever encountered. Dr. Cat has really hit upon the root cause of so much illness- and suffering- in the world. My hope is for every human who’s ever had anxiety or chronic illness to have access to this understanding and these tools. Improvements – What specific gains of function have you noticed since starting the program? Please list any/all physical, emotional, and mental successes.
PHYSICAL Much less fatigue- only occasionally now More stamina for exercise, outdoor activities, etc. I’m able to eat more foods, I feel my relationship to food regulating. Better elimination- I’m getting more and more regular! 
Better sleep: calmer dreams, less waking in middle of the night, Less sensitivity to light and sound Better circulation
MENTAL Less brain fog More easily recognizing old mental trauma patterns and pause, slow them down, or redirect Less anxiety, worry, fear I just generally have more fun! Forgetting what it used to be like to be so limited (I actually had to refer to an old document to remember some of these symptoms to communicate how they’ve improved.)
EMOTIONAL I’m cultivating such a sweet and stable loving relationship with myself. More capacity to allow emotions to flow through, without being afraid of them or getting caught up in them. I’ve been able to deal with very difficult family-of-origin issues with a new sense of peace. life.
In the three months of doing the Regulate program, I have become calmer, happier, and more capable in everyday life. Using the tools, I have even been able to stop nervous system shutdown reactions in their tracks! Recently I’ve also been enjoying better sleep and more energy during the day.
I am far from “recovered” but I’m feeling very optimistic about the journey and the improvements to come. I love this program and feel that it is exactly what I need at this time. The videos have a loving tone and address every resistant argument my limbic system can come up with. Plus all the resources, live classes, and supportive community are so so helpful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating such a thoughtful and thorough program. It’s changing my life!
I can notice my nervous system capacity growing. I used to crash after a workout, or a busy morning, and now I can get through my day without exhaustion. I feel more emotionally stable (especially during hormonal shifts!), I feel the energy flowing more in my body. I notice that every time I do the vagal toning tools, my body reacts and regulates faster and more efficiently. I have become more patient and feel more alive and notice the little things!
When I started Primal Trust, I had already done over two years of brain retraining, somatic experiencing work as well as vagal toning. However, I was very confused about how to combine these modalities in my healing. This program has not only allowed me to combine brain retraining with somatics in a way that other programs could not do. It has helped me develop a daily routine of self-regulation that has impacted my overall mood and health throughout the day. Even when a war broke out in my country, I navigated my nervous system using these tools and was able to build the capacity I needed to process the stress. So grateful for Primal Trust and excited to continue on to Level 2!
If you have come across Primal Trust, then that in itself if a great blessing. And choosing to do the program, if you’re someone like me who has struggled profoundly with chronic illness and trauma for many years, is an unimaginably profound blessing you can grant yourself and your life, transforming it from the roots to the limbs.
There are many avenues for healing available to us, but if you’re ready to get to the root of the root, to radically transform not only your physical health but your capacity to embody and live the truth of who you are every single day – pure love, joy and creative power – then this program is for you. I’ve spent years on the couch, unable to work, be in healthy relationships, knowing I was sick because I was disconnected from my essence, and therefore chasing spiritual awakening and having huge realizations but never being able to embody and live the peace that I knew was at my core and therefore heal my body.
My laundry list of diagnoses only grew over the years – Lyme Disease and other chronic infections, CIRS, Mold Toxicity, Anxiety and cPTSD, Long Covid, Interstitial Cystitis, digestive issues, food sensitivities and on and on. Today, I can say the while my healing journey continues, I am happier, more grounded, connected to source, and rooted in and in love with my body than I’ve ever been before and am only looking forward to the unfolding journey ahead. I am unspeakably grateful for this program and wish that everyone may have the opportunity to access the healing power of Primal Trust.
Over the years, I have done multiple brain retraining programs. I also work with people who have chronic pain and have done many professional trainings. But I have never ever felt so personally validated listening to Dr. Cat. Because of past programs, I am great at riding through symptoms- I always get better….and I forget I have limbic system issues.
I go back to living life but then stress comes in, I get stuck in the sympathetic and symptoms come right back. I have complex trauma and believe it’s at the core of my issues. No other program explains complex trauma and the nervous system like Dr. Cat does. I finally understand myself. I’m still working on myself, but I am finally aware of myself….aware of my nervous system and patterns! Listening to Dr. Cat and other Primal trust members, I think to myself- these people are just like me!!! It’s so sad to know that others have experienced trauma and subsequently chronic illness, but also it’s so normalizing to see I am not alone. Dr. Cat is an inspiration, hearing her story.
I love how Primal Trust explains how to use brain retraining for things other than symptoms. Other programs primarily focus on symptoms. But what’s creating the symptoms? -Trauma, life stressors, nervous system dysregulation. I still have a lot of work to do, but I’ve also come a long way. Joining Primal Trust was the best thing I have done for myself in a long time.
I am certified integrative practitioner who fell into this work out of extreme passion to heal my own as well as my daughters chronic conditions. My focus and expertise has always been on the physical, food as medicine, supplements and detox.
Although I believe that all has its place, I kept feeling this nudge to explore primal trust.
I have done other brain retraining programs before so I was hesitant. After the intuitive nudge got l louder I knew it was time to explore the program. This work has been life changing not only because most of my symptoms have decreased significantly, but it has given me a roadmap to the way forward.
It has provided clarity for the first time in many years that there is hope to feel grounded, safe and emotionally regulated not just for myself but to provide that example for my young children as well. The ability to feel present in my body in a variety of environments, feeling confident to face symptoms with curiosity and use the tools to calm them, much less anxiety, hope and a clear path forward of what an emotionally regulated future looks like.
I have been trying all of the things for the last 5+ years to help overcome symptoms stemming from a major trauma. I did EMDR and somatic experiencing with a therapist regularly for 4 years, saw various energy workers, did regular bodywork like massage and chiropractic, Neurofeedback, acupuncture, and many more modalities. There really isn’t much I haven’t tried at this point.
The golden ticket was Primal Trust. I started the program in April 2022 and have seen leaps and bounds in my healing in the 9 months since. I stopped going to therapy a few weeks after starting the program and haven’t needed to go back since. I feel more regulated and alive than I have in my entire adult life. I’ve gained more resiliency. I am stepping out of my comfort zone more and trusting that I can handle it. I am trusting in life and loosening the grip of needing to control. I am sleeping better. I am feeling more calm and regulated throughout the day and am able to prevent anxiety from taking over. I have eliminated most food sensitivities. I am experiencing less digestive symptoms. My pain responses have reduced significantly. I have a clearer picture of my values and my true-self identity and strive to live them daily.
My quality of life has improved significantly and I’ve gained the confidence to follow my dreams and passions without letting my fears and symptoms hold me back. The Primal Trust program has provided me with freedom to fully live.
My recovery period from a relapse is much faster. I can recover in a day vs before starting the program in might have been several days. Overall, I am kinder and more supportive with myself. I am less reactive to symptoms and less likely to run the stories that have been attached to the symptoms (Fear). Overall anxiety symptoms have decreased (less hyper-vigilant). I notice more moments of stillness, peace, and less patterns of obsessive or perseverating thinking. I have less negative thoughts (self doubt, inner criticism).
I have loved everything about the way you have layed out the program, in terms of the chronology and the content.
The way you explained the relevance to each module was perfect. However, I wished there was a module dedicated to sleep or at least more of your experience related to improving sleep.
I am a therapist, and I’ve been to trainings on somatics, nervous system importance, and trauma. I have dome EMDR and craniosacral therapy and inner child work. PT really put all those elements together for me and helped connect them to chronic illness. I had a lot of the puzzle pieces, I just didn’t know how they fit together.
Now, I feel so much more at peace in my daily life. I don’t worry about my symptoms anymore, because I know I can handle them. So much has changed for my mentally. Physically, that hasn’t improved as much. But the thing is, I don’t care! I’m okay with that and know it will likely improve with time and consistent practice. And it’s also hard to judge physical symptoms because I got pregnant while going through this! Which is another win I partially attribute to this program.
Before Primal Trust, I was always on the go, rushing, people pleasing, and not being true to my own needs. I was fatigued, bloated, constipated, anxious, angry, frustrated daily and for most of the day for years and then had covid-19 and my nervous system crashed hard. I could not even get out of bed to go to the bathroom and experienced so many debilitating symptoms.
Primal Trust helped me to calm my nervous system down and made me realize how much time I was spending in sympathetic activation. I had to learn how to slow way down and express my needs and while I know I still have so much more work to do on meeting my true self.
I now have my energy back, no longer have bloating, and I feel happier and less stressed. I am able to focus on my children and their needs of love and affection and have more patience in raising them and loving them…and I am so grateful for that. Primal Trust level 1 taught me the science behind what was going on which was calming for someone like me who wants to gain knowledge. Level 1 also taught me some amazing tools to calm my nervous system down that had been activated for years in large amounts. Writing down how sympathetic activation made me feel helped me to realize how activated I was each day. Just becoming aware was so beneficially to my healing journey.
I have noticed such a difference in my energy and mental state of living in my head where all I could think about were the “what if’s” all day and now I have the power to choose to live in the present and be present with my loved ones. I think the biggest lessons I have learned from Primal Trust level 1 were that I can become aware of my mind and body state and that I have the power to choose to calm my mind and body down or let it run wild.
I have learned how to express my own needs to others. I have learned how to stand up for myself. I have learned what I value and more about myself throughout this journey. I am very grateful that I signed up for primal trust or I would like be stuck living a highly stressed life and living in my head and not in the present moment and would have missed out on so much happiness and joy.
I deeply appreciate the competence and coherence of the Primal Trust program and the ways it has helped me to deepen my commitment to living. I am more relaxed and aware as I ride the polyvagal wave, have greater curiosity and capacity to embrace a wider spectrum of experience, and I have a more solid foundation of integrity from which to choose how to participate in life.
I feel uplifted and supported by a wider container and community, which continues to give me more courage to choose authenticity over attachment, and to speak my truth with compassion while holding others in their truth. I find myself willing to take more relational risks in order to learn and grow and I can feel how I am moving towards all of the tiny miracles that are available to me even in seemingly ordinary moments. I’m more fluid in my transitions from dorsal-vagal, ventral-vagal and sympathetic, and I’m more aware in general of what brain state I am in at any particular moment.
I’m more inspired by and receptive to the blessings all around me that offer beauty, regulation and reciprocity even as I move through symptoms. I am also reigniting my curiosity around discovering my unique way of contributing to the world, of finding meaningful work and of increasing my participation with life. I feel more trusting in life’s guidance in a way that also includes struggle and challenge and am more trusting in my agency to respond well. I’m in deeper contact with myself which has generated compassion for who I truly am and for who others are.
I can feel myself taking steps towards sovereignty and most importantly, I trust my process. I exuberantly encourage anyone who is considering joining this program to take the next step and to connect with many others who are doing the same. Primal Trust is so much more than a symptom relief toolbox, it’s an invitation to come home to ourselves, to live and create from a place of true belonging, and to become who our hearts already know us to be.
I joined Primal Trust in order to better manage my grief and depression. Primal Trust Level 1 has helped me to regulate my nervous system for the first time in my life. I am a high ACEs scorer. My trauma began the day I was born. I have never had the opportunity to learn or know what it felt like to be regulated. It has truly been liberating to feel regulated. After 2-1/2 months of practicing brain retraining, and without effort or intention, I simply stopped using marijuana as well as other dopamine hit habits. Despite years of trying numerous things, marijuana was the only way I could manage my chronic grief and depression. It was the ONLY thing that could interrupt emotional flooding. What a gift it is to learn to manage my nervous system. I have never been comfortable participating in support groups of any kind. I resisted joining a study group. Thanks to the encouragement of the Primal Trust leaders, I joined one.
The experience has been invaluable. Hearing the experiences of others, sharing my own, and exploring tools together has been very helpful. I feel as though it helped to keep me on track. On weeks where I was struggling with maintaining my practices, I would find that others in my study group were experiencing similar challenges. I think it helped us all to feel better. I found it to be a safe and supportive environment. I am grateful to my study group members. I’ve had ups and downs but I’ve kept going. One of the best things I’ve learned is to be less of a perfectionist and to not be so hard on myself. I’m beginning to develop a stronger adult main personality that helps me to be patient and continue with my brain retraining practices. I’m still a work in progress and I still struggle but, I am optimistic that further change is possible.
Greater capacity in handling triggers/stress and emotional flashbacks. Greater tolerance of foods. A long-standing allergic reaction rash/hives from many different foods has mostly disappeared. I’ve had more nights where I feel a bit sleepy, which usually I didn’t before. Better ability to handle shame/inner critic.
PT Level 1 is very thorough and comprehensive, covering all the details you need to start your healing journey. I’ve been using the tools there for about 10 months, and my food intolerances are improving, an allergic rash has mostly disappeared, and my ability to handle triggers/stress/flashbacks has steadily and slowly improved. My dives into depression are less often and less intense. Also my ability to be social and with people has improved somewhat. I also am starting to be better aware of what I need to change in my life to be healthier- simplifying, more rest, saying no, walking away, speaking up,etc.
As I implement each tool more I find more and more ways of coming home to my body. I struggled with my body for a long time. I was angry and didn’t understand what was happening to me. I am finally learning to hear what my body is saying and how to comfort it.
I am reframing what illness means and that has made the world of difference for me. Staying calm and present during uncomfortable symptoms. Learning to talk to my body and ask it what it needs. Learning to go inside and comfort my body. Learning regulation tools when I become overstimulated.
My emotional is so much better and stronger. Physically feeling less pain. And I reacted to an active ingredient that was a 90% of medication I would get so sick but after 2 months working on my nerves system I am able to take the medication and I didn’t react to it.
I was always in fight mode all the time everything so many things trigger me. I was always with anxiety that I couldn’t control my body was always tense. And I was very sensitive of smells. But with the level 1 I have learned to relax and I learned to breathe normal and things don’t trigger me as much and I can go to the grocery store and walk through the aisle were the detergent are so many fragrance and I don’t get asthma attacks. And when people say things to me I learned not to get angry I take a deep breather and let it go. I am still working on it but I feel so much better. One thing that I noticed is sometimes I’m relaxing and at of no where my body release an exhale on it own and I just feel so relaxed I never experienced that before.
I really didn’t think this was going to help I was working with a functional medicine doctor and he recommended it. I am glad I listen and did level 1. Thank you for creating an amazing program.
When in depressive/dorsal ventral, I can now more easily get myself moving forward again. When having an anxiety attack I can more quickly recognize it as a physiological state, have more compassion, and consider what it is about.
I have more compassion for myself. I am able to relax easier. I have more space before reacting oftentimes. I can handle more noise sometimes. I’m less fatigued. One of the simplest improvements I’ve noticed is my ability to tolerate more sound. I’ve actually come to enjoy my children singing and laughing more! This has been so nice and I’m grateful! I have noticed I’m able to relax easier. I’m able to be curious of my trauma loops and trauma responses and I’m able to soothe myself better.
I have a long way to go and I still struggle with staying consistent with the tools but I love what I’ve learned. The journey group was especially helpful!
I have noticed I have a bit more endurance and can now go out in a car where I could not before. I still can’t go far but it is progress. I also can walk around our condo where I could not before. Still have symptoms though so hope they will start to dissipate soon.
I have loved implementing Primal Trust into my day. I love the voo and eye exercises and noticed improvement with them. I still struggle a bit with brain retraining and visualizing good past and future visualizations but they are coming easier than before.
I look foward to implementing more somatics and trauma work as I become stronger and regulate my nervous system. I love the free classes and especially love Steve’s classes he is great. I also enjoyed my classes with Niki.
The tools, the tools – have been life changing. And understanding of what is happening in my body has given my am greeter understanding of my patterns. Pattern interruption has been a great tool. I’d often say aloud “not helpful, move on!!” Mantras like, be here now or I’m am here in this now have been really helpful too.
Primal Trust Level 1 changed my life! I’ve been on a healing journey for YEARS (Kundalini Teacher Training, Reiki certification, tons of energy work, therapy, Life Coach, etc.) and nothing brought me the awareness that Primal Trust did — and within just a few shorts weeks!
So many questions I had about why my nervous system was so dysregulated were answered. This program is so well organized and thought out. It has blown my mind at the shift in perspective I have, when only a few short months ago, I felt weak, incapable, and like nothing would be able to heal me ever. Today, I wake happy, energized, and like there is a whole world waiting for me. The eye yoga and Brain Retraining have been the most impactful for me, as far as tools, but the wisdom Dr. Cathleen shares brought me so much awareness. I would listen to her explain concepts over and over again because they resonated so deeply. I am still in awe at how much clarity and understanding I’m coming away with. I’m so excited for Level 2!
I can notice my nervous system capacity growing. I used to crash after a workout, or a busy morning, and now I can get through my day without exhaustion. I feel more emotionally stable (especially during hormonal shifts!), I feel the energy flowing more in my body. I notice that every time I do the vagal toning tools, my body reacts and regulates faster and more efficiently. I have become more patient and feel more alive and notice the little things!
When I started Primal Trust, I had already done over two years of brain retraining, somatic experiencing work as well as vagal toning. However, I was very confused about how to combine these modalities in my healing. This program has not only allowed me to combine brain retraining with somatics in a way that other programs could not do. It has helped me develop a daily routine of self-regulation that has impacted my overall mood and health throughout the day. Even when a war broke out in my country, I navigated my nervous system using these tools and was able to build the capacity I needed to process the stress.
So grateful for Primal Trust and excited to continue on to Level 2!
I started IFS parts work & meditation over a decade ago, but since becoming a mama 8 years ago had gotten out of the patterns of self-care & regulation. I thoroughly enjoyed this program and have seen marked improvement, especially adding in the visualizations. I’ve got baby #4 on the way, and am so excited to have reimplemented a consistent pattern of self-care and regulation back into my daily routine.
I found myself often ruminating on negative thoughts, that has drastically decreased. Anxiety has also decreased, as well as self-compassion and an increase in compassion for those around me. I’m a musician (guitar & vocals) and actually got back on stage and sang for the first time since my daughter was born 8 years ago, after developing reflux and stage fright as a result of that.
I did the GAPS diet to heal the reflux but this helped tremendously with accepting and believing that I am healed and can sing again. I’ve also started adding back in some dairy and other foods I had cut out with great success!
My anxiety and panic have drastically lessened. I feel more aware of my state of mind. I can drive again. I have gone back to work again.
Ability to settle more. Desire to regulate and less resistance. Ability to more easily allow my body to feel where its at and continue with the day. Less worry about fixing help and what steps to take. More resting and letting go.
I have gained new awareness of how my past narratives and trauma has led me to disconnect with my True Self. I can see that I have been living in a state of unrest, which has caused a state of protection in my body.
Understanding the biology and learning tools to help my body get back to a feeling of okayness and safety has dramatically shifted the way that I view my symptoms and my transformational journey. It has also revived my spiritual life as I continue to meditate on Divine Love. I feel my freedom expanding when I yield to this Source and allow my body to express itself.
My personality has come back. My husband says as a person I’m totally different for the better. My sense of humour is back. I’m able to identify behavioral patterns that keep me stuck in negative loops although I’ve a long way to go in eradicating then and I hear the stories I tell myself which I never did while doing Dnrs.
I’m coping better with the real world such as going out shopping and even getting my hair done as the pandemic left me scared shitless and led to a dramatic second storm, my initial symptoms began over 30 years ago, but the fear the pandemic brought made things a whole lot worse and new things arose. Physically things haven’t changed but mentally there has been a huge shift.
I have more capacity for stress. example: i can watch tv/movies that have subject matters that would before cause “its” (ie. thrillers/medical movies). I have less severe and less frequent mood swings. I still body check a lot but i have less fear attached to it, i have added 3 foods to my very restricted diet.
I have found value in each module and I liked how our its are explained to us through both the chronic stress response with science and through trauma/protection patterns metaphors. The amount of information and tools is a lot, which I am very grateful for. the amount of information would have been over whelming without the study groups. I really love the study groups. to do the program with people and to even just see other peoples faces once a week helped a lot (since i am so isolated).
I also now realize how out of the moment I am all of the time/not being present and how that was constantly effecting my nervous system. I very much want to engage with the program full and trust and it will help me regulate my mind and body.
Awareness…peace…ability to self regulate…..commitment to self care….meditation…..mind control……
An essential toolkit for living as a human, no matter what shape your nervous system is in. The best presented course I’ve ever attended. Dr Cat is not just a teacher of this invaluable material, she is an inspirational person with immense nervous system understanding and compassion. I’m so glad I came upon Primal Trust. Thank you, I’m eternally grateful.
Less dorsal vagal states. More peace with all polyvagal states. Slower descent into chronic fatigue states. More positive outlook. Able to be with tough traumatic emotions. Feel I’m not a freak owing to the education in this course. A little more inner peace
Less headaches and migraines during and after exercise. Less rumination and the toolkit to calm my mind and body. Deep understanding of the polyvagal ladder: I know now that, when I’m in dorsal vagal, I need to go through sympathetic activation in order to reach ventral vagal.
I can tolerate more and more stress without “exploding”, for example when having discussions with my partner. I can distinguish better between being physically exhausted or just in dorsal shutdown. I can shift from feeling hopeless, stuck, immobile, freezed to at least sympathetic by doing exercise (HIIT), breathwork, eye yoga, voo breath, somatics etc. I’m much more conscious of my flashbacks/regressions to “trauma mode”. I haven’t overcome them yet, but most of the time I’m conscious of them, can look at them and use my tools to break the pattern. I’ve started doing HIIT training with a personal trainer and seeing huge improvements in my physical AND mental state. I learn more and more that sympathetic activation is safe. I talk more in public and in group calls without feeling shame. I’ve started seeing a somatic experiencing practitioner and I am on my way to actually FEEL what’s going on in my body and how my mind wants to interfere.
I’m more and more able to distinguish between stories in my head which elicit to certain feelings, and the pure sensations in my body without the story attached. I know now that it is the feeling of SAFETY that I was longing for a long, long time. I learn more and more to distinguish between real hunger and emotional, obsessive eating.
Primal Trust is a complete top down, bottom up nervous system reset program. As a yoga teacher and health coach, I know one can’t heal in sympathetic mode. What I didn’t know is that we could be stuck there for years and not even realize it! And that we can get addicted to the chemistry that stress produces. That awareness has been a game changer!
My issue has been more with overdoing and not allowing myself to relax and being overwhelmed and stressed out. Simply learning about CAN and DOSE helped me realize I have lived most of my life in sympathetic and likely became addicted to those rushes of adrenaline. I already have excess dopamine due to genetics. I have never allowed myself to be bed bound. Now I am allowing myself to lay in bed for 20-30 minutes and doing practice before my feet hit the floor.
I am more calm, less reactive, more focused, less triggered. Still have many symptoms and still have bouts of fixing, research and anxiety. I have not yet gotten involved with the community and realize that I am missing a big part of that beneficial aspect of this program.
I noticed the ability to calm myself quicker when triggered or activated. I’ve never yawned so much in my life! Ability to stop rumination. (Huge for me.) I love being able to calm myself when activated. I need more time and practice, but I already see improvement.
The biggest improvement for me after slowly moving through the Regulate Program is that I no longer have a daily fear of the “toxic” world around me. I can pretty much eat what I want and go where I please without having a negative nervous system reaction or experiencing symptoms.
Another big shift was after practicing the somatic exercises for only about 1 month, I have had significant releases of emotion from my tissues and a decrease in body pain. Now I feel more aligned and balanced with in my body and now truly understand the meaning of Primal Trust.
More energy, better focus, less panic attacks while in public situations. I am going places with my children again! I am NOT missing out on their activities.
Understanding the science behind my anxiety and what is happening in my body has been so freeing. I focused on cognitive retraining for years, but was missing the bottom up approaches.
More calm and regulated, especially with my kids! Gave me a sense of calm, primal trust as deep knowing that I can regulate and keep myself aligned with my true self.
I am more calm, able to bring myself to the present, outside enjoying nature and focusing on nature not having my mind focused on so many thoughts, even in daily life not having my mind racing with thoughts, just being present has been such a huge gain for me. More energy, happier, more controlled calm reaction to my kids when they are misbehaving or just being kids. Less sensitivities to foods, chemicals, – I still have sensitivities but I am seeing improvement.
More thoughts of I can instead of I cannot. Able to regulate mind to the the present when a past thought comes up. I have seen and felt vast improvements and transformation. I am looking forward to continuing my journey of transformation. I have tried self healing through many different methods, and help from various doctors, however Primal Trust has been life changing for me. My husband notices it too! So do people I see, they notice I am more full of life and happier. I feel more at peace, calm, safe, focused, love and I am able to act that way as well.
No more turning inward like a shelled up turtle. Thank you for teaching me the tools I have needed for such a long time. I am so happy my functional doctor referred me to you! Thank you!
Better sleep: energy: clarity of thinking: engaging in things I love more
I’m able to walk around and lead a more normal life after mainly being in bed for 5 years. I used to be scared to walk around because of symptoms flaring and now I can go about my day, work in my yard and house and live a much more regular life.
I am able to manage my anxiety better.
I am calmer, more aware, definitely more understanding of what’s happening so I don’t get as activated when I have symptoms.
After almost 20 years of treatment therapies for anxiety reduction I finally feel that Primal Trust is the comprehensive program for understanding and healing multi-symptom ‘dys-regulation’ of the mind and body.
I feel so much better and I know myself more. I think the biggest takeaway is that I (once again) discovered the connection between physical symptoms and my state of mind/nervous system. I wasn’t unaware of that before, but Level 1 really highlighted that for me!
Calmer with my kids. Reducing my dosage of Rx medication for digestive issues. Insomnia improving. I am feeling more regulated and able to cope with the daily stresses of motherhood. I am starting to unravel a very old pattern of primal fear.
It’s just been an overall sense of feeling better. Doing more things, waking up happier and less crotchety. Less crabby and more present. Less allergies and more self awareness.
This program was so comprehensive. It was well organized and the amount of information in each module I felt was just right. The way the material was explained made it easy to to digest and implement. I have done DNRS and felt like a brain rewiring failure. I was doing the rounds but felt I wasn’t catching the pops at all. I have quite a bit of trauma and disassociate. I have done lots of journaling to help me connect to what was happening. Somatics also helped me connect to my body/emotions.
Regulate has such a great formula. The awareness, then processing and the visualization/elavation completes the process. The combination has been so transformative for me, more than each process could separately. I love having so many options to choose from in regards to tools. I like that it allows you to try on what fits and works for you. I feel I have tried so many things and feel I don’t need to try or look any further. It gives me a lot of hope!! I appreciate all that you offer. From the amazing formula you put together,the community, the spiritual part and that you are so relatable and willing to share your humanness. You are such an INSPIRATION!!!! THANK YOU for all your hard work and your commitment!!!!
Massive improvements to my OCD/anxiety, improvements to my sleep and immunity and tolerance of substances. I am so grateful for this course. Facing, feeling, and integrating my fears and challenges – rather than distracting away from them – has been pivotal for me.
I have noticed a big shift in my panic attacks and social anxiety. I am able to go out in public and into busier places without taking medicine to prepare me. I have less overall stress and anxiety and find myself more grounded.
Regulate has been a game changer for me and I plan to continue with it for a bit before proceeding to Level 2 Mentorship. The TRE exercise has been very effective at unlocking trauma. It took me a bit to realize that that was what was happening, was in a bit of a panic the first time until I understood and started my self-regulation. Guess what? I COULD handle it and I did!
At the start of the program, I couldn’t sleep, had GI issues, and POTS- not to name other issues- and I now sleep 6-7 hours a night (up from maybe 3), my GI issues are settling nicely, and I came off my beta blocker, which is HUGE. Is it perfect? Not yet, but I actually enjoy starting my day with my first practice and working breathing and somatics in throughout the day.
I was a previous student of DNRS, ANS Rewire, vagus nerve work, Barral therapy, acupuncture, EMDR, and so much more. Today I feel more regulated and look forward to continuing my work before joining Mentorship. I think the slower pacing is what has helped me, giving in to the process, and being aware and compassionate with myself. Thank you, Dr. Cat and your team, for everything you have put together and for sharing not only the process and science, but the story behind it.
I thought I could go only as far as DNRS would take me. While DNRS helped tremendously to start off my healing journey, Primal Trust has been the missing piece. Realizing I don’t need to run from symptoms is something I never thought I’d be able to do, and yet I’m learning how to do it through Primal Trust. Ironically, the symptoms seem to lessen on their own now that I’m learning they aren’t actually a threat.
Primal trust has felt like coming home. Like I am finally allowed not to believe the anxiety that was crippling me. That to rest is truly ok, that to listen to and honor my needs is no longer a luxury to be earned but my first responsibility. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
I have become more resilient, started dancing, meeting people, engaging with them without social anxiety, listening to my needs. I have been in a place where I was scared of trying anything new. I used to be scared of walking long distances.
Now I can dance. I am learning belly dance. I have been able to add more food items to my diet without the fear of them harming me. Most of all, I have become more compassionate towards myself. I know that I am okay and I will be okay. Thanks to PT, my life has turned a 180 degrees
I loved going through the Primal Trust Level 1 Regulate Program! I specifically liked learning the science behind the ways my nervous system was reacting to chronic stress and past traumas. I think that learning the WHY is a huge factor in my healing so that I was not just given random tools, but shown how those tools would help me and they are something I can use not just now, but for the rest of my life!
Before the program I had a tendency to be very codependent and always looked to others for comfort. Little did I know that I held the keys to my own safety this whole time! Now I know that no matter what happens, or is going on in the world around me, I have the ability to calm myself down. I don’t have to let every little thing bother me or shake me to my core. I have a new outlook on life!
Anxiety has less of a hold on me. Knowing that a trust in myself is all that I need. Reassurance and safety does not come from anywhere outside of myself. I am my safe place.
I’ve started adding an extra walk in the morning. I am able to relax more. And I have noticed more capacity to be with my feelings. I am also having some deep wounding that has been hidden come to the surface. I feel less afraid. I used to really blame myself for my symptoms and try to work out what I’m doing to cause them. But now I see the truth around that.
When I found the Primal Trust program I was in complete dorsal vagal shut down, but I didn’t even know what that was. I had spent decades in chronic stress and then finally was in a position to enjoy a much more stress free lifestyle, but my nervous system didn’t know what to do not being overloaded and continued to search and create new symptoms for me to stress out. I was seeking constant validation from anyone that I was OK.
Primal Trust gave me permission to trust myself and tools to regulate my nervous system that didn’t really know anything before stress and constant anxiety. The study groups have kept me moving forward and provided me with rich accountability.
Improved sleep greater sense of calm…Brain Retraining ABC Dimensional Shift – incredible!
I was not new to brain retraining when I came to Primal Trust, but Regulate Level 1 gave me the underlying principles to renew and rejuvenate my healing practice. Regulate gave me both the structure and the freedom I needed to make my meditations more authentic, which helped greatly in me doing them at all!
Since implementing top-down and bottom-up practices from Regulate, I have noticed the time it takes me to recover from triggers or activating experiences has become less and less, because I have developed a deep sense of trust that I can hold space for myself to ride the wave and come back to safety in the present moment. I feel that Regulate has given me “presence of mind” to even be able to do the things I know are good for me, not to mention a vibrant community to support me as I continue on this healing path.
The only program I’ve encountered where it doesn’t feel like I am trying to fix myself, rather daring to enjoy life and live it fully and knowing I will heal. Perfect mix of science and spirituality, thank you!
This program has given me so much hope and a massive sense of empowerment that I haven’t had in a very long time. It’s helped me understand where my pain is coming from and why it’s there. I suffer(ed) from chronic migraines, fatigue, ptsd, muscle pain, mcs, mold illness, food/ histamine intolerances, anxiety and depression. I can honestly say that this program is the answer. Though not 100% healed yet I have made huge strides in recovery and continue to improve as I keep implementing the tools. The education alone gained from this course is a huge piece to the healing puzzle as you no longer feel like a victim. Everything suddenly makes sense. This is the roadmap out of suffering!
When I joined in 2021, it was the missing piece to my complicated recovery from the then unknown long Covid syndrome. The addition of the somatic work and the inner child work was the magic I had been missing after having a lot of fast success with another program but had stalled.
As a person of faith, I was so grateful for the addition of the community groups which allowed me to retrain in community with other believers. So many programs don’t offer this because “faith” is often considered taboo in the retraining communities but, while it’s not a tenet of the Primal Trust program, it had a safe space for those of us who this was important to. Cathleen is truly one of the kindest people I’ve known and so committed to the cause of helping those suffering with mystery illness heal.
I have taken several other limbic system healing courses – this is by far the most comprehensive, well organized, and well presented course. I am a bit overwhelmed by all of the information as I am working part-time and have found it hard to get traction on new things, as I am still working hard just to exist. I will need to review some aspects.
I have worked on incorporating some of the tools into my existing practice and like the flexibility of the program. I would say that this program has kept alive some hope that I was losing after having a moderate recovery previously, but not being able to do the things I love. I was starting to get really depressed. I recovered just enough to work, and to eat, but not to have fun or have a social life. So I am hoping this program will help me get back to hiking, traveling, skiing, working more hours, creating, feeling safe, and being able to maintain relationships because I can do things again.
I recover faster from exercise. I now recognize the anxiety/fear from overwhelming past abuse that I’ve dealt with and stuffed for almost my entire life. I’m recognizing when “the bottom falls out,” my term for feeling like my innards go away somewhere and I’m empty and full of fear. The recognition and acceptance of this has been eye-opening, and using the tools is so helpful to calm myself down. I’ve been full of shame about my fears and my health, but now I understand the dysregulation of my nervous system from being swamped by my feelings, and that there’s actually nothing wrong with me.
The Regulate program was easy to follow and the explanations were clear. The short classes were great! Also the toolkits. Regulate is the “new and improved” version of Dr. Cat’s Primal Trust teachings and it’s also easy to implement. And, because it’s so clear, I’m more motivated to do the daily work.”
I appreciate all of the resources/tools/ educational components that Dr. Cat has put together for this program. It definitely feels like more of a “complete package” for me.
I have done many of these practices individually before, but it feels good and makes sense for me to be doing many of them together. Thank you, Dr. Cat, for your courage with your own healing journey and for what you are sharing now. It’s valuable stuff.
When I came into this it was my last resort. I had gotten my will ready and told my son that I was prepared to take my own life. I was extremely tired and doctors had no answers for me. Every week I had a new ailment that I had to try to navigate and “Fix”.
After one month my outlook on life had radically changed. I was still experiencing symptoms and even some new ones but I decided that I was going to live my life like Cat said in the beginning. The tools helped me come into and be with my body and realize that I was trying to escape it instead of work through what had happened. Understanding it was mostly the result of cell danger response from recent trauma helped me to work through a lot of things that I thought I had “gotten over”. I had just swept it to the side and not ever actually dealt with or grieved over what had happened to me. And on top of that I was still people pleasing and just adding to my stress! I’ve gotten better at setting boundaries and not letting guilt over take me.
I pray every night as part A of my ABC round, and having found Primal Trust is something I give genuine thanks for most nights. I have studied many of the things the program teaches over the years, but never knew how to put it all together, was missing crucial pieces and was doing it all to fix myself.
The way you have detailed everything here has filled all the gaps I needed filled, and has made a huge difference in my life. When I was at my lowest I had prayed to find some kind of mentor & soul family to help me get through this and boy was it granted to me. Not in the way I expected, but much better.
I am definitely feeling more calm and social and hopeful for the future! I feel like I am riding the polyvagal wave better and not getting ad much anxiety about being in sympathetic or dorsal.
A calmer baseline; more success in maintaining the “curious observer” stance I’ve tried for years to occupy. When I’m diligent about laughter yoga and the ABC’s, I’m definitely happier, more interested in humanity/life, and cognitively clearer. My situation is a pretty challenging one–with late perimenopause thrown in–so the fact that I’m holding ground and not losing it feels like a win.
I’m still struggling mightily with a brain that doesn’t seem to want to recover. I’m assuming this will abate as I keep on with the skills I’ve learned here. It’s a testament to PT’s power that I’m actually seeing cracks in my limbic resistance and am able–willing– to implement these tools more regularly. Right now, that’s the best I can do.
I hope to someday offer a testimonial that might inspire the real no hopers out there–people who’ve been in despair and paralytic resistance for so long, they’ve all but given up on living at all. I’ve been there and that I now see something beyond that gives me great hope.
Regulate has taught me how to reestablish contact with myself, mind body and spirit. It’s taught me that through loving self compassion, I can trust my body’s innate ability to take care of my needs. I had no idea how much disconnect there truly was.
I used to think that everything that was “going wrong” was happening TO me and I was a victim of my circumstances, the environment, and the people around me. And then I learned that I have choices and can choose how to respond to triggers rather than be at the mercy of them and react.
I’ve definitely noticed a huge softening in my symptoms overall. Functionally, I notice that I’m able to play with my children and engage in pretend play with them for longer periods of time than I could previously. I’ve reestablished some contact with my father and been able to release some pain from that relationship that I never thought possible. I’m not as afraid to move my body and have even found ways to enjoy movement! I find myself more patient and compassionate to others.
My loved ones notice a change in me too. My husband says I’m laughing more often. My best friend noticed that I’m sharing more (contributing to the conversation, sharing my thoughts and ideas, etc.). My children are asking more of me which means they’ve noticed an increase in capacity.
It feels like Regulate has been a huge launching point to my transformation. Thank you!
I am able to exercise again I feel happier and safer
I have tools now to go to – to Be Here Now in This
I have been given “permission” to Feel the Feels!!!!!! and that is ok, in fact necessary for my healing
I am learning to love myself again – all parts of me – I Love Myself and I feel safer in my body and in this beautiful world
I have learned how to no “react” to what is happening but allow myself to have the experience and use the tools to self regulate the best I can
I am loving my ABC practice and envisioning a life I love
After over 3 years of dedicated brain retraining, coming to Regulate was so helpful to bringing missing pieces into my daily practice. A really important shift for me was recognizing an overarching fear of body sensations and being given the tools and understanding to start to get comfortable in my body. I’ve got a ways to go yet, but I’m so grateful for the direction and understanding I’ve received.
I’ve found a daily practice that feels wholistic and right for me. I’m looking forward to continuing this practice and I’m excited to see the regulation that my kids and I will experience as a result of all of it.
I am interrupting my negative thoughts and that is a huge relief. I am starting to feel joy again, in simple things and also thoughts of the future. I am thinking less about my pain. I am responding with less catastrophic emotion when the pain does get bad (and it does still). But I can access the confidence that it will go away, as it always does.
Before I could not access that confidence. I was drawn into the whirlpool of the pain. This feels like a huge success. I am feeling less like a victim. I LOVE the practices, especially the ABC brain-training. Just speaking my visualizations aloud makes my heart soar and I feel replenished. I have hope for the first time in a long time.
I have noticed my energy starting to increase. I’m feeling stronger and much more grounded. I’m also more aware of trauma patterns and when I’m in a particular vagal state. This work has been so helpful!
Regulate has been amazing. I had already come really far on my journey and even completed most of level 2 before I started, but I have deepened my awareness of feel more deeply committed to the practices and they are continuing to assist me in feeling calmer, more present, and more empowered.
Regulate was the missing piece for me. I had come a long way, but I was lacking a solid foundation of inner calm from which to go live my life. The way it is structured now makes it more easily digestible and makes it easier to stick with the practices as well. Participating in the study groups helped me to commit more fully and do the work, as opposed to just “getting through the material”.
I look forward to diving in deeper (and deeper) as I now intend to make this an ongoing part of my life. I am deeply thankful for Primal Trust and I highly recommend joining. It changed my life and I expect it will continue to do so.
I am definitely feeling more calm and I’m starting to have moments of feeling joy, love, peace and excitement in my heart!
Regulating emotions much better, get through triggers quicker, not feeling depressed anymore, very hopeful about the future, feeling happy and positive, able to have tough conversations and express my true feelings, mental clarity, easier to make decisions, more relaxed, leaving the house is easier, less anxiety, significantly less rumination and negative thoughts.
Greater exercise endurance – can walk about a mile without problems afterwards; previously was about a half-mile. I’m more confident that I can achiever more and more of what I want – especially walking more and enjoying it.
My emotional resilience is much stronger. Through these few months, I navigated a new cancer diagnosis, surgery and treatment with more calm, grace, humor, and open-heartedness than I would have thought possible before.
I’m excited to be continuing opening my heart and enjoying the life I am so lucky to be living. Overall, I am deeply grateful for the holistic approach that Primal Trust offers, for building resilience in the nervous system – mind, emotions, body, and behavior. The Regulate program specifically is very comprehensive, and extremely well produced. In brief summary of the many ways I feel the program has helped me: more resilience when faced with life’s inevitable stresses, more tools for calming my sensitive nervous system, more compassion for others and myself, more physical capacity after many years of limited activity, and more well being and ability to smile and laugh throughout the day!
Before I started with Primal Trust I was bed bound with a number of symptoms. After many doctor visits trying to “find out what was wrong with me” I soon came to realise what was actually happening to my body was I was in a freeze response & the life I had been living for 43 years was making me ill. I never felt safe or joy or felt worthy.
Finding out the science behind it all as well as the emotional side made me realise I didn’t need fixing & that I would improve with some inner work which primal trust made this possible.
Calmer nervous system, less food sensitivities, processed pain without pain reliever (huge step), capacity to handle music and even dance with joy, less anxiety, more awareness of parts and triggers, discovering how my health and pain struggles have served me and moving forward on healing the wounding that created my issues.
I mentioned my specific improvements above, but making myself a priority has been key. My word for the year is “self care”…. I feel like I’m becoming a whole person for the first time in my life.
Fewer physical symptoms on waking.
Ability to be aware of anxiety and patterns on waking and use tools without resistance.
Around 20% increase in physical endurance around the house.
Ability to walk with steady heart rate for up to 30 mins several times per week – unheard of during previous 21 years.
Able to avoid triggers with family members and use boundaries to reduce stressful situations.
Becoming able to sit with sadness and grief and write about the losses of 21 years of illness.
Stopping online research into protocols for individual diagnoses.
Very gradually starting to visualise future positive scenarios, this felt impossible prior to starting Regulate.
Feeling more present during the day & not looking to find continual distractions.
Gradually increasing feelings of self worth, developing in confidence.
Ability to feel more embodied, less shut down and frozen/tense.
When I began Primal Trust Level 1, I was hopeless, stuck, grieving, and depressed. I had been doing brain retraining work for over a year and felt like something about me was different because I wasn’t making shifts or seeing big changes.
I had very little belief at the beginning that this could actually help me and I was afraid of putting my faith in something, only to be disappointed. However, a small spark within me knew that this was my path, knew that I was not going to abandon myself, that I could come out of this situation. I started slowly, watching the videos, integrating the tools and concepts, and I started to come back to life. I’ve been getting more involved in the community, finally connecting with other people after feeling so alone. I can feel myself unfolding and blossoming everyday, my authentic self, my AMP becoming stronger and stronger. I also started to accept help from others, which I had been deeply resistant to. I thought that I could lock myself away in my room and do this all by myself and emerge as the perfect person.
Since beginning, I’ve been to a doctor’s appointment for the first time in two years, and worked with a herbalist, which has supported me immensely alongside this programme. Most importantly, I am letting go of the shame; the deep shame that was buried within me is no longer leading my life. I now understand what primal trust is. I went to a cafe for the first time in over two years and it felt normal. That feeling of normalcy is the most special and joyful part. I’m starting to expand my life and I can’t wait to continue this work into Level 2. Thank you 
Before regulate I had very few memories or experiences in my life of internal or external safety. Now, about 4 months after beginning, I am having moments of calm almost every day and I have a growing confidence in myself that I can handle my life’s situations. I am changing the way I approach my life and cultivating rest and connection in a way that I didn’t know was possible.
Regulate presents so many different practices that I feel like I can choose what works for me and really have a skillset for tending to myself. I have a much greater awareness of what is driving my symptoms and what I can do to shift them. I know everything will continue to deepen as I continue to cultivate awareness and integrate the principles and tools on deeper levels. I am very grateful for this program.
The healing that has come about in this program has changed not only my life but the dynamics of my relationships. Especially with myself. The self hatred that I’ve used most of my life to motivate me to find the energy I’ve needed, has been replaced by groundedness in my body, mind, and hearts ability to heal, shift, and open to life. I am beyond grateful.
Read the studies below
