Thank you for being with us.
Thank you for being with us.
From chronic pain to anxiety, Lyme disease to mold illness, chronic fatigue to long Covid, our program has kindled the flame of healing, allowing our participants to reclaim their lives.
Here, we celebrate the remarkable individuals who have dared to dream that their healing is possible, regardless of how long they have been ill or what they have been told, and conquer their fears, emerging stronger, wiser, and filled with renewed vitality. They have learned the art of utilizing brain retraining and nervous system regulation with Primal Trust™, and unlocked the body’s capacity to change and heal from a myriad of diagnoses.
But this page is not merely a collection of stories. It is a refuge
of shared experiences, where you will find solace in the knowledge that you are not alone. Each testimonial is a reminder that no matter how dire your circumstances may seem, there is always a path to healing, and Primal Trust™ can help guide you toward it.
Explore the genuine experiences of our members and discover how Primal Trust™ has made a positive impact on their lives.
I’m finding my true me again and it brings me to tears. My illness is not my identity, my pain is not my identity. I’m healing, learning, calming down, finding safety, laughing again, eating again, finding inner peace. As I‘m resolving and dissolving resistance patterns and coming into trust, my symptoms are dissipating. I’m beyond grateful for Dr. Cat starting this program. THIS IS TRUE HEALING!
Healed from: Colonic Inertia, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Epstein-Barr, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Insomnia, Brain Fog, and Depression
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 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.
Healed from: Lifelong c-PTSD, Mold Toxicity, Chronic Fatigue, SIBO, CIRS, POTS, Anxiety, Food Intolerances, Cognitive Issues, Addictions (work and food)
Physically, when I started this program I couldn’t walk or stand for more than maybe 10 seconds at a time. I am 100% physically healed now and on the most beautiful path that I will continue on for the rest of my life.
Healed from: Chronic, Severe Back and Leg Pain
I am a different person! After just a handful of months of Primal Trust™, not only have I healed and sent “my” autoimmune condition (Hashimoto’s) into remission (no more symptoms or antibodies), but I am also hugely resilient, happy 95% of the time, and no longer drown in trauma reactions from cPTSD.
Healed from: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Insulin Resistance, cPTSD, Chronic Fatigue, Leaky Gut, Chronic EBV, Adrenal Fatigue, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, Chronic Back/Neck Pain, Brain Fog, Insomnia, Procrastination, Perfectionism
I would say 3-6 months after completing Regulate™, and definitely by the time I completed your Level 2 program… and I can’t believe I get to be a person that says this but my physical symptoms are totally resolved! It’s amazing to me.
Healed from: CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), Mold Issues, Lyme disease, Anxiety, Depression, cPTSD and Dysautonomia
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.
[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read More” less=” “]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 con fi dent 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 managed to create an ever-evolving platform for mutual transformation and growth.[/expander_maker]
Healed from: MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity), Depression, Anxiety
I used to attempt things like walks or other activities and if I got symptoms, I would assume that I did something wrong and that the attempt I had made was a failure. Since learning the tools of Regulate™, I have started to think of these attempts as successes either way – either I don’t get symptoms, which is great, or I do get them, which is to be expected because my body is used to responding that way and I’m in the process of teaching it something different. As a result, I have been able to take daily walks that are half a mile long instead of just going to the end of the block. I’m hoping to use this new mindset to keep going even further. I have also incorporated the 5 Tibetan Rites into my routine as well as the TRE practice, and it’s nice to feel like I’m getting some basic level of physical exercise even if I can’t work out like I used to right now.
[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read More” less=” “]Primal Trust™ Regulate™ has exceeded my expectations in that it really feels like it’s shifted my mindset into a place of positive momentum, optimism, and feeling like I’m the one steering the ship with regards to my body and my health. The videos and tools have been all interesting, helpful, and sequenced in a way that made them digestible and complementary, even though I went through them relatively fast (I do plan to keep revisiting them to reinforce the learning, though). I also really liked the Study Group I joined because everyone in it was in a similar position as me, and it made me feel comfortable sharing my experience, knowing my struggles are not unique, and lifting others up when I got the chance to. All in all it’s been a great experience so far and one I look forward to throughout my healing journey.[/expander_maker]
Healed from: M.E/CFS, POTS, Long Covid
I am truly grateful for this program. After a lifetime of living in fear and with anxiety, I now feel a sense of calm. I had lot of tools thrown at me over the years but this is the fi rst program to really tie it all together for me. My mind is no longer racing, my symptoms don’t rule my days, I am not looking for the reason behind the symptoms or what “I did” to cause them to happen. I am able to exercise daily and walk my dog 2+ miles a day. I recently started to drive again. The best improvement is being able to fully engage with my husband and step daughter and to enjoy family time together again.
[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read More” less=” “]While I am not fully healed, I’m doing exponentially better, I no longer let my illness de fi ne me and I am excited for all the future holds for me. Thank you, Dr. Cat for all of the energy you put into this program. I was hesitant to start it, it took me months to fi nally do so, and it is the best thing I have done for myself.[/expander_maker]
Healed from: Lyme, Mold Illness, CFS, Traumatic Brain Injury, Vaccine Illness
After struggling to heal from chronic Lyme, co-infections and mold toxicity for 3 years, I was recommended to “rewire and calm my nervous system” from a functional doctor of mine. I felt resistance at first because I wanted the easier fix – where I could take certain supplements or be on a detox protocol and be done… but little did I know, this is what would change my life completely.
[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read More” less=” “]I felt a new excitement to learn and “attend school” as I’d tell my friends by implementing Primal Trust™ into my routine each day. It became the highlight of my day to learn more about why I felt and acted the way I did and to use the tools and exercises provided to rewire my nervous system.
I truly feel like I’ve come back home to myself. The amount of support and live calls you can get on each week where you feel a part of a community with other individuals on the same path as you made me feel seen. But what I love the most is that Dr. Cathleen King breaks down the program into very easy to digest bite-sized chunks and you’ll have an exact plan of action of what to do next.
When you first learn about the science behind why you’re stuck and hear other’s stories of recovery, it makes everything make sense and gives you a heart full of hope for yourself. And the icing on top is that you’re provided with a selection of exercises/tools that intuitively feel best for you to implement into your daily routine so that you are completely set up for success in your own unique healing journey.
I could go on and on about this program and will continue to recommend it to my peers. Have fun with it. Get a binder and print out the workbook and make it pretty. Enjoy the process and know you’re not alone[/expander_maker]
Healed from: POTS, Lyme, Long Haul Covid, Mold, CFS, MCAS, Sensitivity to Light/Sound/Smell
Primal Trust™ Level 1 has helped me to gain some of my life back when I had little hope left. After sixteen years of illness, and ten years of being housebound, I believed that I was intrinsically broken and couldn’t be healed after so many years. Like many others, I had tried everything under the sun to regain my health and life back. Having a young
Healed from: M.E./CFS
Primal Trust™ has been life changing to me. I’ve been bedridden and life-threateningly sick for many years. I was kept alive by intravenous nutrition in a dark room, completely bedridden. I have made improvements over a couple of years, but they’ve been slow and minor. With Regulate™ I’ve seen huge improvements. I feel more embodied and safe than I’ve ever felt before.
[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read More” less=” “]I love how the modules and all the tools are beautifully put together from different things like brain retraining, somatic experiencing, vagus toning, nervous system regulation etc. Dr Cat has beautifully orchestrated the best of these things into this program that is truly life transforming. It’s as if she’s got you!
For me, I can now sit up more in bed. I’ve been able to take a couple of steps on my own two feet for the fi rst time in 9 years! And I have been able to leave the house by wheelchair. Previously I needed ambulance to be transported anywhere. So this is huge for me! I also love the study groups, and I’ve made friendships and connections that feel so safe and supportive for me. I feel like a brand new person. As if the old trauma- based personality that used to run me is now gracefully shedding away and dying, and I’m rebuilding myself from who I truly am. From my Soul Self. Expressing who I am authentically.
I feel empowered, and as if I’m gaining back the power in my life. It’s no longer my illness that has the power over me. And I’ve found back to myself, to my own heart and soul. Being reminding Who I AM and what I love. Which is the biggest gift I could’ve ever asked for. Thank you, Dr. Cat.[/expander_maker]
Healed from: Severe M.E., POTS, MCAS, Allergies, PCOS, Anxiety, Panic Disorder
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The most life-altering, debilitating, and recalcitrant of all the symptoms I’ve experienced was fatigue (CFS/Lyme). So naturally, this is the symptom in which change has been most impactful. With the increase in energy I’ve been able to get back to work (see massage clients again) and I’ve been able to socialize and participate in activities outside our home. (Over the past 6-7 years I had become increasingly more homebound and isolated.)
I experience far less rumination about mental topics of all kinds. I’ve been able to gain and maintain a healthy weight, not just because of improved digestive function and increased appetite, but because the dread/fear/“I’m not okay-ness” is no longer draining and suppressing my bodily resources.
All of my relationships, especially the one with my husband, have greatly improved, as has my sense of self-worth. I feel more consistently embodied. I feel that I’m moving out of a long-term state of contraction and my heart is opening to the verdancy of life— It truly feels like rebirth after so much “dying”. I’m coming alive in ways that I previously believed were not possible for someone like me. I’m buzzing with vitality and renewal and with this comes a deep conviction to do good with these bodily resources, for myself, my family, my community and beyond. Thank you from the depths of my heart for the life-giving gift that is Primal Trust. ❤️
I am truly grateful for this program. After a lifetime of living in fear and with anxiety, I now feel a sense of calm. I had lot of tools thrown at me over the years but this is the first program to really tie it all together for me.
My mind is no longer racing, my symptoms don’t rule my days, I am not looking for the reason behind the symptoms or what “I did” to cause them to happen. I am able to exercise daily and walk my dog 2+ miles a day. I recently started to drive again. The best improvement is being able to fully engage with my husband and step daughter and to enjoy family time together again.
While I am not fully healed, I’m doing exponentially better, I no longer let my illness define me and I am excited for all the future holds for me. Thank you, Dr. Cat for all of the energy you put into this program. I was hesitant to start it, it took me months to finally do so, and it is the best thing I have done for myself.
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.
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!
So many it’s hard to even name them all! I’ll keep it to the most impactful ones.
1.) A true and sincere opening of my mind and heart to the reality of my nervous system dysregulation as the primary driver of the multitude of health issues I had accumulated over the years. I went through other programs such as ANS Rewire and DNRS, but your program helped me truly trust the science and the process on a soul level. This has led to the rest of the process unfolding in a way that I’m still marveling at.
2.) With your story and education around the AMP, I was drawn out of denial and was able to acknowledge the contracted state of my spirit, of my essence, and the distance away I had traveled away from my true self. Your focus on this area of development and your profound personal evolution motivated me to start rediscovering my self and my values. I recognized that being out of alignment was a very much a root cause of my state of being. This led to a substantial effort to get reacquainted with my true nature and things that bring me joy and personal growth….I got back into playing piano, which brought me closer to the person I remember being in the first place. I journaled to try and help myself understand my thought patterns and behaviors so that I could understand the road that got me here and start paving the path to the future I desire. I put energy back into making new friends and nurturing some that I had let go neglected for sometime. I realized with my creativity and desire for social connection that I wanted to help my kids and other kids connect at their school connect on a community level, so I built a community for my kids online school. We have several monthly meetups that mean the world to mine and other kids who do school at home where the opportunity for social interaction is minimal.
3.)With all of the education you provided (and Simona) around fear-based thinking and how it keeps us stuck, I was able to slowly start facing panic inducing situations head on. Values over Fear became a daily mantra. I began driving again after not having been able to drive for 6 months due to panic attacks. I was able to conquer my fear of public places and began to make short trips to the grocery store. I can now be in public anywhere for any length of time. With the details of your own story rewiring in mold, I began to confront and rewire my fears related to the mold in my home and outside my home. I am now able to spend time in the areas of my home with mold and I’m ok. I’m also able to go into places outside my home with mold, and I’m fine.
4.) With the ABC technique and vagal toning exercises, I’m much calmer. I find myself flowing between states much more easily these days than when I first began. I’m less reactionary toward my spouse and kids. I can have rational conversations even over triggering topics with my spouse and I am more able to attend to my family’s needs because I have the energy and the mental bandwidth to take on things outside of my head. I don’t feel drained, fragmented, and on edge 24-7.
5.) Physical stuff like fatigue, tremors, moderate to severe pain in various locations has ceased. Dizziness is now an infrequent occurrence. My heart palpitations are much less frequent and not as intense; I haven’t used propranolol in months to control my HR. My fatigue is almost non-existent. I no longer use Ativan to control my panic attacks because they are very infrequent and manageable.
6.) My reaction to symptoms isn’t nearly as intense and I am able to tolerate them and keep moving through my day when they occur. I worry much, much less over bodily sensations that I used to. I don’t obsessively research and investigate them anymore, and I haven’t been going between medical specialties since beginning the program. Thank you doesn’t go far enough. I’m so grateful you are here with us now in this and that you are brave enough to continue to pave such a brilliant path for the rest of us. With love, respect, and gratitude.
WOW! Where do I even begin? I started Primal Trust at the end of January 2023 and it has been life changing. I have been sick for the last 3 years and it took several years before I found an answer to the unexplained decline in my health. Prior to being sick, I lived a very clean lifestyle eating organic and using the best products possible. When I became sick no one could understand why and many people told me I had mental health issues and needed to just get over it. I finally found out that I had mold illness and chronic lyme.
I have spent the last year and a half working with several practitioners trying to heal and have only been able to get so far. I had unexplained reactions to supplements and wasn’t able to complete many protocols because I couldn’t tolerate most things.
I started working with Dr. Jaban Moore at the beginning of this year and he recommended your program on my first day. I started that night and very quickly have shifted everything. It’s like I am coming back to life! I have more energy, I’m more calm, I can tolerate protocols he has me on, and finally feel like I have found the missing link after all these years! I am still in module 4 and can’t believe the improvements I have seen not even halfway through the program!
I work from home and have spent a lot of time in isolation from being sick and have loved the community aspect of this program so much. I enjoy being able to integrate these classes into my schedule each day and connect with others going through the same thing.
I am so grateful for this program and feel incredibly lucky to have found it! Feeling safer in my body, more able to do the things I love, able to get out of the house more, ability to regulate when I am out doing things I want to do but my nervous system/body think otherwise, more energy to be present in life.
Because I did DNRS for a year and a half prior to PT, I had a foundation. For me the successes have been the ability to feel my feelings and feel safe. The ability to safely monitor my nervous system. The ability to begin to see my symptoms and challenges as not me. The ability to talk about my challenges and feelings with others. The ability to connect with my most resilient and intuitive self. The ability to recognize that in the past I managed incredible challenges rather than being stuck on what I did wrong and how I failed. I began to see my power. I recognized the core dynamic I’ve brought forward from trauma to my ITs was powerlessness. And I was able to identify how to take care of my self in a new way. From a place of instinct and trust and power. Primal Trust deepened my sense of self and safety. For the first time in thirty years I feel present and capable no matter what comes.
I have been able to process some very challenging past trauma and stay in a safe place now. Which has made me feel more connected to myself and others and more whole. More present. I have hard days, but with the practices I am better able to respond compassionately to myself and care for my self from a place of certainty and compassion. Openness. Letting go of old ideas about what is.
I often feel that finding PT was the gift that mold/illnesses/fear has given me.
Increased energy, Panick attacks are gone, Tolerate physical activity, Being less startled or not as easily, Happier, more playful, Went from being scared to only being worried when going out but its getting better every day! Tolerance to more foods and can enjoy an occasional glass of alcohol! Better sleep, Able to calm down after a scary episode (example someone cutting me off on the road). Primal Trust has completely changed my life for the better.
When I joined the Primal trust community, I had been sick for about 5 years and had tried everything my many doctors and specialists had prescribed, and that was just making me sicker and sicker. I am so glad I decided to take a different approach, I knew that I had started being sick after being under major stress for about 2 years.
As soon as I started implementing the very first tools from the program I had a huge shift in my health, It took only 2 weeks to see the first improvements! I am not healed from my autoimmune diseases and chronic illness yet, these things didn’t come up in just a few weeks, they are the results of a few years of nervous system dysregulation and traumas therefore It will take time for my body to recover and feel safe enough to heal naturally but This is the best I’ve felt in years! I can go out with my husband and friends, I can enjoy an occasional glass of wine, I can workout again, and I can do the things I love that I had not been able to do for so long….
I am so grateful for Dr Cat and the community, I no longer feel lonely and hopeless, actually it’s quite the contrary I feel supported and hopeful and I’m feeling more like myself everyday!
The ability to identify when I am becoming dysregulated. Sometimes it is quickly other times it takes me a day but then I can see that I am getting dysregulated and know I have to work on my tools more but also the understanding that it is okay. My energy has improved from napping 1-2 hrs a day to some days no nap needed to max about an hour now. The ability to cry and let my emotions out easier has been wonderful! I am not shutting down and dissociating like I use to and I can see when it happens.
It feels better to be in my body feeling than to be numb!!!! Energy, communication with loved ones, being able to speak instead of shutting down, I have periods where I can eat without symptoms or minimal symptoms now, I know what it feels like to be in my body, I have sense of innate okay at times, I believe I can continue to heal and improve!
The quality of my life has improved greatly over the 3 months that I have been enrolled in the Primal Trust Level 1 Regulate program.
My sleep has improved. I have less anxiety and have had relief from a constant/all-day/every day “unease” feeling. I became aware of the negativity bias of my thoughts and then empowered by my ability of choice to re-direct thoughts in a positive manner. I am better able to process emotions and be present when I am feeling uncomfortable.
Other people have noticed that I am more balanced and have better interpersonal interactions. I am learning what pace works best for me and I take time to rest, relax and just be.
I have been able to participate in a few of life’s activities and even though they have not been lengthly or frequent, I have had a deeper appreciation and awareness of those experiences. I am trusting more in myself, my journey, and the nervous system regulation process and believe that as I continue to implement what I have learned from Primal Trust, over time I will continue to make good progress in my overall functioning and living the life that I want and love.
Thank you to the Primal Trust community and team especially mentor Janet Bone and Dr. Cathleen King. See you in Level 2!
Primal Trust was suggested to me by a very caring and compassionate doctor. After starting treatments for Lyme disease, it was clear that there was something missing in order for me to fully regain 100% life function. Nervous system regulation was the missing piece.
Level 1 allowed me to understand the scientific reasoning behind this approach, and led me to willingly implement some of these tools in my day to day life; because my mind and body truly believed in the healing that could happen. Going through this course gave me the agency and accountability I needed to self-heal.
This course helped me gain awareness and truly live a life I love – despite still having symptoms. I am on my way to remission, and I could not have done this without medical treatment and Primal Trust. Both were fully essential in this healing journey. Level 1 has taught me how to set boundaries, how to respect myself and how to let go of resistance to pain. I am still healing, and I know that these tools will help be reach remission and remain in remission.
Regulate has offered me knowledge for a lifetime – thank you!
Awareness of unconscious patterns / mind loops that were creating prolonged periods of Sympathetic disregulation.
Beginnings of softening the armor around my heart – feeling safe enough in my body to allow myself to feel emotion, release emotion, and cry (it’s been years).
Awareness of disordered eating / body image issues that need more attention, compassion, and treatment. Ability to deal with stress differently in my full-time job: triggered far less often
Awareness of my nervous system’s state in a felt sense, and ability to micro-shift throughout the day (can “feel it coming on” much sooner and pattern interrupt or practice a tool to return to harmony)
Learned about “parts” and am starting to identify and learn about these pieces of myself and how they sometimes take over.
Identified areas of my life where I have a “divided energy,” and beginning to identify different boundaries to protect my “no” and allow my “yes”
When I started I could hardly lift my head up off a pillow. I had barely any energy and was so sick. 3 weeks in and I was driving more and feeling much mor energetic with relief in some symptoms. And then I plunged into to the detox/rage phase.
I soldiered on and met with Janet who helped me to continue my practice consistently but with better and more loving intention while letting go of perfection. That, plus somatics, caused a big shift. Not long after I was driving and working out more. And the rage that the program brought out of me was being released.
Even though I still have symptoms, my quality of life is much improved. I have big flare-ups still but I know it’s my nervous system and limbic system unwinding and rewiring. I know level 2 will be essential in my continued healing and am excited to dive in!
After taking Primal Trust – Regulate I have a better understanding of what is happening in my body and how it is connected to my mind and thoughts. I now can quickly and easily stop myself from ruminating on negative thoughts from the past, victim mentality that creeps in and can let go of lifelong hyper-vigilance.
I feel more in control, I have tools that are easy to use and I love the community aspect and the people I have met. I no longer feel isolated and sick; I’m feeling safer and more calm than I ever have. I’m very grateful to Dr. Cat and her team!
I am not living in fear as much as I have been. I feel a bit lighter, happier. My anxiety comes in waves (liminal space for sure), my tolerance/energy issues seem to have improved. I am not getting wiped out as easily. Pattern interrupt has brought great awareness to how much I’ve been living in my head. I hadn’t been able to tolerate noise/music much.
I used to sing in a choir and had to step back from it. Within the first few weeks of regulate I was listening to music in the car and singing along. Though not quite ready for choir, I have been enjoying my reconnection to music. I’m also walking outside more. In the past, I would literally run out of energy when walking- even at times when I was feeling good. I don’t have a very consistent walking habit yet but I am embracing the idea that “I am someone who exercises” so I can get that old conditioning out of the way and rid myself of the fear of running out of energy from exercising.
Lots more to do but I am pleased with this progress! I only gave a 10% improvement because I know that I have a lot of deep work that I need to do to really move the needle. Full improvement for me looks like me as a productive member of society, contributing to our household financially, having really developed my AMP and found myself (maybe even truly for the first time since leaving Ireland). I wont be retriggered every time I visit home (Ireland) and have to leave again. I will have healed so much of the grief and loss I carry from my ancestors, from those who left home before me and were never able to go back. I will be secure in my own identity, clear about who I am and what my life’s purpose and goals are.
I will move through the world, cracked wide open, and, ready to be the change maker that I know I am. I will transform my physical body in the process. I will live from a place of love, giving back without depleting myself in the process.
Primal Trust level 1 has exceeded my expectations in that it really feels like it’s shifted my mindset into a place of positive momentum, optimism, and feeling like I’m the one steering the ship with regards to my body and my health. The videos and tools have been all interesting, helpful, and sequenced in a way that made them digestible and complementary, even though I went through them relatively fast (I do plan to keep revisiting them to reinforce the learning, though). I also really liked the Study Group I joined because everyone in it was in a similar position as me, and it made me feel comfortable sharing my experience, knowing my struggles are not unique, and lifting others up when I got the chance to.
All in all it’s been a great experience so far and one I look forward too throughout my healing journey.
I am beyond grateful for this Regulate program. 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.
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.
In only 8 weeks the exhaustion and pain have subsided by at least 75% just from refraining from overthinking, remaining in the present moment, and doing the polyvagal exercises daily. Dr. Cat presents us with a clear, simple explanation regrding the science behind the healing process! So glad I joined .. worth every cent!!
The most life-altering, debilitating, and recalcitrant of all the symptoms I’ve experienced was fatigue (CFS/Lyme). So naturally, this is the symptom in which change has been most impactful. With the increase in energy I’ve been able to get back to work (see massage clients again) and I’ve been able to socialize and participate in activities outside our home. (Over the past 6-7 years I had become increasingly more homebound and isolated.)
I experience far less rumination about mental topics of all kinds. I’ve been able to gain and maintain a healthy weight, not just because of improved digestive function and increased appetite, but because the dread/fear/“I’m not okay-ness” is no longer draining and suppressing my bodily resources.
All of my relationships, especially the one with my husband, have greatly improved, as has my sense of self-worth. I feel more consistently embodied. I feel that I’m moving out of a long-term state of contraction and my heart is opening to the verdancy of life— It truly feels like rebirth after so much “dying”. I’m coming alive in ways that I previously believed were not possible for someone like me. I’m buzzing with vitality and renewal and with this comes a deep conviction to do good with these bodily resources, for myself, my family, my community and beyond. Thank you from the depths of my heart for the life-giving gift that is Primal Trust. ❤️
The quality of my life has improved greatly over the 3 months that I have been enrolled in the Primal Trust Level 1 Regulate program. My sleep has improved. I have less anxiety and have had relief from a constant/all-day/every day “unease” feeling. I became aware of the negativity bias of my thoughts and then empowered by my ability of choice to re-direct thoughts in a positive manner. I am better able to process emotions and be present when I am feeling uncomfortable. Other people have noticed that I am more balanced and have better interpersonal interactions. I am learning what pace works best for me and I take time to rest, relax and just be. I have been able to participate in a few of life’s activities and even though they have not been lengthly or frequent, I have had a deeper appreciation and awareness of those experiences. I am trusting more in myself, my journey, and the nervous system regulation process and believe that as I continue to implement what I have learned from Primal Trust, over time I will continue to make good progress in my overall functioning and living the life that I want and love. Thank you to the Primal Trust community and team especially mentor Janet Bone and Dr. Cathleen King. See you in Level 2!
I believe this program contains the missing links in chronic health recovery. First I want say how happy I am to see shifts in my life due to the knowledge, awareness, and brain retraining here at Primal Trust.
I started in December 2022 (housebound for 3 years, 2nd return to cfs) and have been going at a slow and steady pace, so I did not overwhelm myself. Now I am doing more with my family. On Sunday, I spent 2 1/2 hours on the boat and walked to the nearby cafe and our car and with more trust in my body.
I’m doing a little more cleaning and sorting. Rather than be in fear of muscle pain, for example, after using the vacuum for a short time (activating unused muscles) I am seeing it as a good thing, my muscles are simply adjusting as they grow stronger, so I surrender and relax for a while. Although my husband takes care of most of the shopping, I’m enjoying the independence of buying my own fruit and vegetables at the local store each week. I’m also doing my past professional nail service on myself. Ticking off most of my values each day brings me contentment.
I have been in primal trust since July 2022. After going through various programs I chose PT because it resonated with me and I am glad that I found it. PT gave me the support and tools that I couldn’t find elsewhere.
Dr. Cat’s valuable lessons helped me to keep going despite the ups and down. Summer of 2022, I was barely able to walk 2k steps but now I am managing to walk 7k steps most the days. It is one of the biggest wins.
I am more than grateful for all the incredible lessons being neatly put together. Thanks to the Primal Trust team for doing the awesome work they do. Truly grateful!
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.
I have a better ability to sit with myself and my emotions. Ability to regulate in the moment without having to disconnect. Able to get through trauma work.
I feel a lot more regulated, grounded and confident. Its really changed my understanding of my body and illness in quite a profound way.
Before starting PT, I was in dorsal vagal continuously. I’m now able to move out of dorsal and sympathetic, and spend chunks of time every day in ventral vagal! I’m able to feel joy and love in my body again, they were not emotions I could feel anymore, I could only think them. I’m recovering some energy as well, and expect to make more gains as I go.
Before I joined this program, I had already received a huge improvement in a set of my symptoms with Somatic Breathwork, Biofeedback, vagus nerve exercises, Brain retaining, and more. While I was able to stop having Panic Attacks and get a decent handle on my anxiety, my chronic fatigue was still wearing me out and continued to disrupt my living. It was not improving at a pace I had an inner-knowing that it could. While each of these tools worked for me in isolation, they worked more like a band-aid. I knew I was missing some pieces in my true healing (not to forget, I had intense fatigue). The way Dr. Cathleen has taught this program really allowed me connect the dots and come up with a system that works for me. My fatigue has improved enormously, as I continue my journey to optimal health. I can do a lot of things I was not able to do even 6 months ago and the last 2.5 months with Primal Trust methodology has escalated my progress! I’m so grateful for this program that has shortened my journey and I know I’m on track to regain my full energy!
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 freak owing to the education in this course A little more inner peace
Before I joined Primal Trust, I had worked through another brain retraining program; however, the practices did not resonate with me. I had also just lost my job due to my illness. It wasn’t a job I particularly liked, but it was only part time with good benefits for my family and me. I began Primal Trust firmly stuck in the “fix-it” mentality, while also having the persistent thought of “I’ll never recover.” Upon beginning Primal Trust, my mental outlook began to change almost immediately. Dr. Cat’s teaching is both accessible and inspiring. Through working the pattern interrupt that was taught in Module 1, and then the full ABC rounds taught in Module 4, my outlook is much different. I now believe that I can recover, and that it is okay to “be here now in this” – whether “this” means unemployment, physical symptoms, or thoughts and emotions . As a result of this shift, my nervous system has become much more regulated, and I am no longer as reactive to triggers as I was just six months ago. This is a huge success to me, as I have had a dis-regulated nervous system since childhood due to trauma.
I LOVE this program and will definitely recommend it to anyone who I think might benefit 
I immediately connected with my sense of “okayness” and felt relief from the chronic sympathetic dominance right at the beginning, I am sleeping SO good now, I am finding much deeper more meaningful connections and relationships being a higher priority, I am much less fearful of experiencing pain and fatigue, I am gaining physical strength and stamina and so looking forward to getting into parts work in Level 2 next! This is the ground-zero work that probably every human on Earth needs
I saw the quickest and most obvious improvement in symptoms and energy after a month of regular vagal toning. Regular ABCing and all the tools to come into presence with myself and my environment have been vital in getting in touch with and growing true self to be able to hold it all.
Am more hopeful, more positive. Brain function seems better. More ok with resting- not always pushing. Am more ok with solitude; a little less anxious. Still have periods of intense fear – PTSD – but am more aware that they are temporary.
I have more awareness of triggers and brain patterns and how to utilize the tools to deal with them. I don’t get rattled as easily, and if I do, I have tools to deal with that as well. I have gains in physical strength. I have a lot more positive thoughts and fewer negative ones. I have more energy and thus get more done during the day. I am better able to set boundaries.
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.
The tools I’ve learned have made me a better problem-solver; I am now able to step back and think clearly before responding instead of reacting. I have been proud of how I’ve handled things since starting. And I have been able to control my adrenaline spikes better. I am excited to continue my quest to find myself in level 2.
Primal Trust was suggested to me by a very caring and compassionate doctor. After starting treatments for Lyme disease, it was clear that there was something missing in order for me to fully regain 100% life function. Nervous system regulation was the missing piece. Level 1 allowed me to understand the scientific reasoning behind this approach, and led me to willingly implement some of these tools in my day to day life; because my mind and body truly believed in the healing that could happen. Going through this course gave me the agency and accountability I needed to self-heal. This course helped me gain awareness and truly live a life I love – despite still having symptoms. I am on my way to remission, and I could not have done this without medical treatment and Primal Trust. Both were fully essential in this healing journey. Level 1 has taught me how to set boundaries, how to respect myself and how to let go of resistance to pain. I am still healing, and I know that these tools will help be reach remission and remain in remission. Regulate has offered me knowledge for a lifetime – thank you!
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.
After about 2 weeks of using the module 3 practices, I was able to let go of the psychological need for lorazepam/ativan. Yay!!!! I have found the level 1 to be very well constructed and exceptionally well presented. The videos are a pleasure to watch and the practices are all demonstrated so they are easy to learn. There is an excellent balance between teaching the actual tools, and teaching the science behind them. And it is all bathed in an amazing nurturing empathy that gives us the courage to learn the reasons for our chronic illnesses and how to support our bodies to heal from them.
I’m very grateful for this course. I had briefly touched on so many of these tools over the past 23 years in my relentless quest for recovery, but naturally when symptoms got worse I assumed I needed to stop them as I didn’t understand I had to go through the rough patch to keep climbing the ladder. I needed to understand the science and to have that reassurance that it was ok and to keep going. I also didn’t realise how my getting stuck had been due to childhood trauma until this course and that has put the control of recovery back in my hands as I’m no longer waiting for medical science to find my answer – I am my answer! Thank you so much for all these tools. As I’m now ‘someone who does exercise every day’ I’m off to go for a swim!
Hands down the most comprehensive, densely theoretical/ scientific yet somehow light, easily accessible, human and relatable program i’ve come across for chronic illness/ pain/ trauma.
Much of the content I had studied before, but hearing it in a specific way, at a carefully structured pace, with the knowledge, personal experience and humility of Dr Cat makes it land incredibly differently. Every possible query or doubt that came up along the way, Dr Cat had it answered (and some) before I got a chance to bail and move to the next thing.
Not all exercises/ tools will be for everyone, but the beauty of the program is that it provides a structure/ theory within which you can discover your own subjective healing pathway, empowering you to take ownership of your own journey whilst providing all the tools, guidance and community you could possibly need to choose from. I am improving/ finding my way slowly, and finally able to embrace the ‘slow’….. Thank you for this gift.
Physically, when I started this program I couldn’t walk or stand for more than maybe 10 seconds at a time. These physical restrictions shrunk my life so dramatically. Emotionally, I felt so scared, confused, angry, and embarrassed about what was happening to me. Chronic pain had become my identity.
Over the course of Regulate (only a 2.5 month period!) and the pain reprocessing somatic practices I was doing for a couple of months prior to starting Regulate, I saw slow but extremely steady improvements to my physical, mental, and emotional well being. Regulate taught me how to be embodied and made me realize I’d gone my whole life dissociated from my body.
I had profound, spiritual moments of healing finding my true self through embodiment. I did Regulate while on a parallel journey of spiritual discovery going deeper into my chosen religion of Hinduism.
The two things went together in such a beautiful, transformative way. Regulate gave me confidence, conviction, and understanding for what I was experiencing.
Feeling like an insane, weak, failure of a person for experiencing mysterious chronic pain was the number one thing holding me back so simply understanding the science and the why behind what was happening to me was incredibly liberating.
I am 100% physically healed now (really, as of about 2 weeks ago) but much more importantly, I am spiritually transformed and on the most beautiful path that I will continue on for the rest of my life.
I know that God led me here for healing …TRUE healing. After 8 years of going to every doctor under the sun my functional doctor said “Hey I have a suggestion…try Primal Trust”. I looked into it and to be honest had a very negative mindset. Thinking “Really..?? How can this heal me”. I’m sure all of us on our healing journey get to that point. Trying EVERYTHING and still are sick, hopeless, tired, in pain, anxious, depressed, isolated. Just after the 1st month with Primal Trust I could already tell a difference. I had my first surgery back in 2012 and my chronic illnesses and auto immune diseases started in 2015. You know how it is..every doctor “diagnosing” you with something. More labels …more prescriptions. Until Primal Trust!!! No this is all resolvable by creating new neuro pathways. Yes it takes work to go back and deal with what is uncovered.
It takes work to set boundaries. It takes work to tell people no and make time for ABC, Somatics, Breathwork, Eye Yoga, and inner work. But Ooooohhhh so worth it. I’m finding my true me again and it brings me to tears. My illness is not my identity, my pain is not my identity. I’m healing, learning, calming down, finding safety, laughing again, eating again, finding inner peace. As I‘m resolving and dissolving resistance patterns and coming into trust my symptoms are dissipating. I’m beyond grateful for Dr. Cat starting this program. THIS IS TRUE HEALING! Dr. Cat got to the root, the pruning is happening, and new life is emerging. I’m off of 3 medications. My colonic inertia is healing after 2 years. My pain, brain fog, chronic fatigue is better by 80%. Im realizing after the inner work what my triggers are and better deal with them when they come. After doing somatics I awakened to how numb my body was and how to get it back online. I’m also going back and dealing with trauma that I have suppressed and probably what made me ill in the first place.
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.
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.
In only 8 weeks the exhaustion and pain have subsided by at least 75% just from refraining from overthinking, remaining in the present moment, and doing the polyvagal exercises daily. Dr. Cat presents us with a clear, simple explanation regrding the science behind the healing process! So glad I joined .. worth every cent!!
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.
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 freak owing to the education in this course A little more inner peace
I feel a lot more regulated, grounded and confident. It has really changed my understanding of my body and illness in quite a profound way.
I LOVE this program and will definitely recommend it to anyone who I think might benefit I immediately connected with my sense of “okayness” and felt relief from the chronic sympathetic dominance right at the beginning, I am sleeping SO good now, I am finding much deeper more meaningful connections and relationships being a higher priority, I am much less fearful of experiencing pain and fatigue, I am gaining physical strength and stamina and so looking forward to getting into parts work in Level 2 next! This is the ground-zero work that probably every human on Earth needs
I have more awareness of triggers and brain patterns and how to utilize the tools to deal with them. I don’t get rattled as easily, and if I do, I have tools to deal with that as well. I have gains in physical strength. I have a lot more positive thoughts and fewer negative ones. I have more energy and thus get more done during the day. I am better able to set boundaries.
Primal Trust was suggested to me by a very caring and compassionate doctor. After starting treatments for Lyme disease, it was clear that there was something missing in order for me to fully regain 100% life function. Nervous system regulation was the missing piece. Level 1 allowed me to understand the scientific reasoning behind this approach, and led me to willingly implement some of these tools in my day to day life; because my mind and body truly believed in the healing that could happen. Going through this course gave me the agency and accountability I needed to self-heal. This course helped me gain awareness and truly live a life I love – despite still having symptoms. I am on my way to remission, and I could not have done this without medical treatment and Primal Trust. Both were fully essential in this healing journey. Level 1 has taught me how to set boundaries, how to respect myself and how to let go of resistance to pain. I am still healing, and I know that these tools will help be reach remission and remain in remission. Regulate has offered me knowledge for a lifetime – thank you!
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.
The tools I’ve learned have made me a better problem-solver; I am now able to step back and think clearly before responding instead of reacting. I have been proud of how I’ve handled things since starting. And I have been able to control my adrenaline spikes better. I am excited to continue my quest to find myself in level 2.
I saw the quickest and most obvious improvement in symptoms and energy after a month of regular vagal toning. Regular ABCing and all the tools to come into presence with myself and my environment have been vital in getting in touch with and growing true self to be able to hold it all.
Feeling much more calm and very happy. Caring less about my symptoms. Most important one for me: I discovered self love. From resistance towards my symptoms I moved to curiousity with somatic tracking. It was such a cool experience to observe the physical sensations in my body with curiosity and I developed such appreciation for it. My symptoms lessend generally, even though they fluctuate a lot. I have a little more energy and I could do more of the things I love (spending time with friends, even joining a party to dance, went to the cinema for the first time). I made more progress with Primal Trust in 2 months than I did with DNRS in 6.
I have some more awareness, better ability to regulate or laugh at a situation, or pause. my digestion has been a lot better and had a flare up a month back that came and went after a week, when in the past I’d have to go on supplements and herbs for extended periods of time and this time I did nothing.
I’m in awe of what Dr. Cat has created with Regulate. It was exactly where I needed to be. Now I’m in a better place for a deeper run through with level 2, hopefully! 
My improvements include courage to stand up for myself. That was new (and huge!). The back discomfort has lessoned, it’s just there with a couple conditioned responses, otherwise nada. A few new symptom imperatives popped in, and most went away. And no matter how I feel, I’ve been a dancing fool throughout and that just always makes me really happy, an emotion I’ve not felt to in a long long time. I feel deep gratitude for the vast amounts of energy and wisdom that Dr. Cat put into Regulate. I hope everyone on this planet finds their way to this course because we are a seriously dis-regulated species on this beautiful pale blue dot.
I found that I was more peaceful in stressful situations and more able to manage daily life activities and requirements at work. I am beginning to notice better, sleep patterns, and less body pains.
Primal Trust has been essential for me in getting into my body for the first time ever and starting to feel my feelings. also, beginning to feel that I am okay, I am safe, I can be in body and handle all my feelings, I can handle my situation.
Had 3 days of almost no symptoms!!! My nervous system is all over the place, but I think that’s good as it allows me to fine-tune my practice. My sleep is great! I feel happier, I’m taking more risks. And I’m getting out in front of negative & fearful thinking by just plugging in positive thoughts all day long.
I’ve been working with the Primal Trust level 1 programme for around 3 months now. I’m taking it very slowly and building the time I spend doing the exercises gradually as this is the best way for me. I’ve had a substantial decrease in anxiety levels since I started and am much more able to sit with symptoms rather than to fear them. I’m sure that as my practice becomes more consistent I will see further gains. This is an excellent programme with so much information. I love watching the Dr Cat videos and learning from her vast knowledge. I can highly recommend it.
Physically, when I started this program I couldn’t walk or stand for more than maybe 10 seconds at a time. These physical restrictions shrunk my life so dramatically. Emotionally, I felt so scared, confused, angry, and embarrassed about what was happening to me. Chronic pain had become my identity. Over the course of Regulate (only a 2.5 month period!) and the pain reprocessing somatic practices I was doing for a couple of months prior to starting Regulate, I saw slow but extremely steady improvements to my physical, mental, and emotional well being. Regulate taught me how to be embodied and made me realize I’d gone my whole life dissociated from my body. I had profound, spiritual moments of healing finding my true self through embodiment. I did Regulate while on a parallel journey of spiritual discovery going deeper into my chosen religion of Hinduism. The two things went together in such a beautiful, transformative way. Regulate gave me confidence, conviction, and understanding for what I was experiencing. Feeling like an insane, weak, failure of a person for experiencing mysterious chronic pain was the number one thing holding me back so simply understanding the science and the why behind what was happening to me was incredibly liberating. I am 100% physically healed now (really, as of about 2 weeks ago) but much more importantly, I am spiritually transformed and on the most beautiful path that I will continue on for the rest of my life.
Primal Trust Level 1 has helped me to gain some of my life back when I had little hope left. After sixteen years of illness, and ten years of being housebound, I believed that I was intrinsically broken and couldn’t be healed after so many years. Like many others, I had tried everything under the sun to regain my health and life back. Having a young adult child also housebound with chronic illness, desperation was the driving force behind stumbling upon Primal Trust. Honestly, the first four months of the program were difficult as symptoms heightened, but for some reason I trusted Dr Cat. I trusted her wisdom and I trusted her experience. If she could find a way out of long term chronic illness, I began to believe that it was possible. The incredible amount of information and detail in that information that you learn in Level 1 helped me to understand why I became chronically ill, why I stayed chronically ill for such a long time, and how it was possible to regain my health through this program. The complicated science of neuroplasticity, Polyvagal Theory, Somatics and Limbic System dysregulation was taught in a way that was understandable and I could trust in the science behind all of the tools that were taught in the program. This program is very much about going at your own pace with the capacity you have at any given time. There is a community of mentors and fellow students to support you every step of the way. When I started Level 1, on a good day I could walk the few metres to my letter box in my front yard. I rarely left my home, and when I did, I needed a mobility scooter to get around. Level 1 helped me to gain greater functioning and I’ve started to regain parts of my life that gave me joy. I can walk around my neighbourhood now, ride an electric bike, drive a car again and begin to make up for the sixteen years of lost ‘mother/daughter’ time with my daughter. I’m still predominantly housebound, and I have to pace, but the freedom that comes with these gains is immense. It used to be months between leaving the home, but now I can get out at least once a week and I am no longer just my illness. Primal Trust has given me a roadmap and I now just need to follow it. I’ve had gains that I didn’t think were possible, but I’m proof that they are. I can’t thank Cathleen King enough.
I’ve learned to slow down and allow my body and mind to take time to heal. I’m also more in the present moment and being kind and loving towards myself.
Three and a half months ago I was housebound and often bedbound. The last 5 days in a row I’ve gone on hour long walks. I’m getting reacquainted with joy and making friends with my body for the first time in my life. Thank you so much Primal Trust for helping me come back home to myself.
Regulate has helped me to build more capacity for life and be aware of the state of my nervous system. I feel empowered to use the tools I’ve been given to bring myself back to a state of regulation.
Mainly, the change of mentality when facing the symptoms, initially with fear and avoidance, and after the program with confidence to voluntarily re-expose myself to everything that was causing me reactions, gradually reducing the intensity of the sensitivity, trusting myself again and my body’s tolerance to all kinds of stimuli, feeling that I can change the situation, staying calm and neutral when my ANS is reactive and agitated.
This program offers a lot of information about nervous system retraining. Dr. Cat is really good at explaining things, and there is a good balance between theory and practice, with lots of different tools to help you get out of the chronic stress response (and get yourself in a healing state).
It’s mind blowing, what I’ve learnt ,and am beginning to experience! After 15 yrs, and many false hopes and experiences, this is the Gold Standard!
– grounded – more emotionally resilient – less negative self talk – less CF crashes I feel much more resourced. I know now that the there is an inherent safety inside of me and I can learn to access this, and I’m getting more and more glimpses into how this feels in my body/ mind – and it feels exquisite!! I’m looking to the future again. I’m trusting in this process.
I came from DNRS knowing I needed a different approach. I was stuck in perfectionism and could never obtain the instructed amount of time doing rounds that just didn’t resonate with me. I was on the search for bottom up approach programs that could hopefully help me further and I found primal trust! The program had so much to offer and I loved the variety since I’ve always been a “make my own rules” type of person. I had hesitation due to my Christian faith and making sure that things aligned for me so I did a discovery call with Dovida from primal trust and she told me about the Christian study group within the program. That sealed the deal for me! I joined and immediately saw the benefit of all the live classes and sense of community that primal trust had to offer. Having chronic conditions can be so isolating so being in a community full of people who understand is incredibly powerful. Dr. Cat offers so many tools to help with so many different things so you can always find what works for you and make it your own. This was EXACTLY what I needed. I will also add that she is very mindful of the way she speaks and the way she explains things. She speaks in a very loving and encouraging tone and for me, it was the friend/mentor/mother (she is in no way old enough to be my mother but you get the picture lol) that I needed when everyone around me was so negative and discouraging. I finished regulate feeling more self aware and able to navigate through my symptoms without giving them the power they had before. I find myself starting to use the tools automatically here and there throughout my day without having to think about it. I have much more hope for my future to keep making shifts the longer I practice what I’ve learned and incorporate it into all aspects of 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.
I have had many improvements since starting. I’m now more present and enjoying life so much. I have the confidence that healing is possible It is life changing and I would recommend it to anyone experiencing chronic illness.
Much less to no depression, much less anxiety. Sense of community and belonging. More comfortable and outgoing in social settings More self-confidence and self worth and authenticity. More self-love and self-compassion. More physical and mental energy. Life more meaningful and purposeful. More hopeful and encouraged and trusting of a useful and joyful fulfilling life again. More loving meaningful deeper authentic connections. Stronger and more resilient nervous system, less sound sensitivity and agitation and irritation and anger. More calm and okayness and equanimity and acceptance of what is.
Primal Trust level 1 has exceeded my expectations in that it really feels like it’s shifted my mindset into a place of positive momentum, optimism, and feeling like I’m the one steering the ship with regards to my body and my health. The videos and tools have been all interesting, helpful, and sequenced in a way that made them digestible and complementary, even though I went through them relatively fast (I do plan to keep revisiting them to reinforce the learning, though). I also really liked the Study Group I joined because everyone in it was in a similar position as me, and it made me feel comfortable sharing my experience, knowing my struggles are not unique, and lifting others up when I got the chance to.
All in all it’s been a great experience so far and one I look forward too throughout my healing journey.
It’s just a really well designed, informative and empathetic program with so much to learn. The idea that chronic illness is chronic stress is so revolutionary and forced me to take a completely different look at what was really going on with me. Within a week or two I saw dramatic changes.
It’s hard and requires a ton of self discipline and mental strength but if you are willing to accept Dr Cat’s message and a little tough love and then put in the work, you will see a massive shift- and fast. I personally have not done any live classes or study groups as I find the daily practices require a lot of time already.
I love being by able to watch pre recorded sessions as they become relevant though eg the sleep class. Module 7 I didn’t find added much to what we had learned already and actually by the later modules I did start to find the volume of tools and content a bit overwhelming. For me the impact is mostly in the earlier modules as that’s where the biggest lightbulbs were going off. But I wouldn’t miss dr cat’s teachings for the world so stuck with all the content. And I am eager for module 2.
Before I joined Primal Trust, I had worked through another brain retraining program; however, the practices did not resonate with me. I had also just lost my job due to my illness. It wasn’t a job I particularly liked, but it was only part time with good benefits for my family and me. I began Primal Trust firmly stuck in the “fix-it” mentality, while also having the persistent thought of “I’ll never recover.”
Upon beginning Primal Trust, my mental outlook began to change almost immediately. Dr. Cat’s teaching is both accessible and inspiring. Through working the pattern interrupt that was taught in Module 1, and then the full ABC rounds taught in Module 4, my outlook is much different. I now believe that I can recover, and that it is okay to “be here now in this” – whether “this” means unemployment, physical symptoms, or thoughts and emotions . As a result of this shift, my nervous system has become much more regulated, and I am no longer as reactive to triggers as I was just six months ago. This is a huge success to me, as I have had a dis-regulated nervous system since childhood due to trauma.
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 have the ability to really be in the present moment. I have the ability to relax now. Before there was always this small undercurrent of sympathetic activation. I can move out of that now and fully experience ventral vagal. I have so much less fear. I can separate from the symptoms and be present in my body and not caught up with with symptoms or fear.
This program has been just amazing. Thank you Dr. Cat and everyone at Primal Trust for the most amazing program. I went into Primal Trust expecting a more evolved brain retraining program, but what I got was so much more than I could have ever expected. I have noticed so many improvements already in less than two months. I have this brain retraining visualization that I’ve been using for a long time. This visualization is from a time when I was healthy and full of vitality. Yesterday I was driving and I all of a sudden realized that I feel exactly like I did in that visualization. Amazing.
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.
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 ❤️
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 beyond grateful for this Regulate program. 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.
I have experienced a change in mindset. Recognised that fear is my only infection and that’s what I need to focus on. Identified parts – perfectionist etc.
Before I joined Primal Trust, I had worked through another brain retraining program; however, the practices did not resonate with me. I had also just lost my job due to my illness. It wasn’t a job I particularly liked, but it was only part time with good benefits for my family and me. I began Primal Trust firmly stuck in the “fix-it” mentality, while also having the persistent thought of “I’ll never recover.”
Upon beginning Primal Trust, my mental outlook began to change almost immediately. Dr. Cat’s teaching is both accessible and inspiring. Through working the pattern interrupt that was taught in Module 1, and then the full ABC rounds taught in Module 4, my outlook is much different. I now believe that I can recover, and that it is okay to “be here now in this” – whether “this” means unemployment, physical symptoms, or thoughts and emotions . As a result of this shift, my nervous system has become much more regulated, and I am no longer as reactive to triggers as I was just six months ago. This is a huge success to me, as I have had a dis-regulated nervous system since childhood due to trauma.
The quality of my life has improved greatly over the 3 months that I have been enrolled in the Primal Trust Level 1 Regulate program. My sleep has improved. I have less anxiety and have had relief from a constant/all-day/every day “unease” feeling. I became aware of the negativity bias of my thoughts and then empowered by my ability of choice to re-direct thoughts in a positive manner. I am better able to process emotions and be present when I am feeling uncomfortable. Other people have noticed that I am more balanced and have better interpersonal interactions. I am learning what pace works best for me and I take time to rest, relax and just be.
I have been able to participate in a few of life’s activities and even though they have not been lengthly or frequent, I have had a deeper appreciation and awareness of those experiences. I am trusting more in myself, my journey, and the nervous system regulation process and believe that as I continue to implement what I have learned from Primal Trust, over time I will continue to make good progress in my overall functioning and living the life that I want and love. Thank you to the Primal Trust community and team especially mentor Janet Bone and Dr. Cathleen King. See you in Level 2!
– can drive in the car as long as I want without any symptoms (couldn’t even handle 15 minutes without crashing and severe symptoms before)
– can handle sun and heat much better and even walking while last year I couldn’t even sit inside the house or outside in the shadow without experiencing its when it was hot
– was at the public swimming pool the first time in years and was even actually swimming some lanes
– don’t have anxiety when experiencing symptoms
– go out and do things even with symptoms
– making appointments and dates without thinking: “Can I really make this appointment, I don’t know how I will feel on that day.” I just make appointments and am usually good that day.
– feel relaxed and chill about almost anything, was easily getting angry before
– don’t feel triggered by anything another person says or does (would take everything personally before, my whole life and would dwell on it for days)
– many more smaller shifts in every area of life
– last but not least: intense shift in my general mindset and views on every aspect of life and my self Like many, when I first heard about nervous system regulation and trauma healing, I was like: That’s hocus-pocus and not going to work. Well, I was taught otherwise.
Prior to Primal Trust I didn’t even know how dysregulatd my nervous system was and that the way I behaved, thought and felt was not my true nature. Primal Trust has brought peace into my life, a kind of peace that I have never felt before. And with it, a deep sense of trust into my own healing abilities and a profound connection to my self were uncovered. What I thought would be a temporary program to follow has become a lifestyle. I cannot thank Dr. Cat and all lovely people involved in the program enough for creating it and for their guidance.
– Emotionally and mentally more balanced
– Able to self regulate
– No longer triggered by my environment or seeing e.g. mould
– Trust in my mind and body
– Trust in my ability to heal and to deal with life i future
– Eating more foods
– Socialising again
– More energy! I have gone from extremely fatigued, brain fogged, hardly able to walk, extremely depressed and anxious, to now, after 5 months of regularly practising Primal Trust alongside medical treatment, I have more energy, mental clarity, hope in the future, am more present in my body, able to eat more foods, and to socialise again with friends.
I can start living my life again! I am especially grateful to Dr Cat and also my wonderful Study Group and their support on this journey. Thank you.
Before starting PT, I was in dorsal vagal continuously. I’m now able to move out of dorsal and sympathetic, and spend chunks of time every day in ventral vagal! I’m able to feel joy and love in my body again, they were not emotions I could feel anymore, I could only think them. I’m recovering some energy as well, and expect to make more gains as I go.
The quality of my life has improved greatly over the 3 months that I have been enrolled in the Primal Trust Level 1 Regulate program. My sleep has improved. I have less anxiety and have had relief from a constant/all-day/every day “unease” feeling. I became aware of the negativity bias of my thoughts and then empowered by my ability of choice to re-direct thoughts in a positive manner. I am better able to process emotions and be present when I am feeling uncomfortable. Other people have noticed that I am more balanced and have better interpersonal interactions. I am learning what pace works best for me and I take time to rest, relax and just be.
I have been able to participate in a few of life’s activities and even though they have not been lengthly or frequent, I have had a deeper appreciation and awareness of those experiences. I am trusting more in myself, my journey, and the nervous system regulation process and believe that as I continue to implement what I have learned from Primal Trust, over time I will continue to make good progress in my overall functioning and living the life that I want and love. Thank you to the Primal Trust community and team especially mentor Janet Bone and Dr. Cathleen King. See you in Level 2!
While working through DNRS for 6 months and then level 1 and 2 PT since Dec ’21 I have healed physically from so many things most notably POTS, severe muscle wasting, food sensitivities, severe insomnia, nightmares, digestive issues, and severe anxiety and devastating brain fog.
I decided to do the new Regulate program bc, despite having healed from so much, I knew deep inside that I was missing some comprehension of ideas and concepts having studied originally during a time of severe cognitive limitation.
Going back through and relearning from a much more clear mindset has allowed me to integrate what I already know on a much deeper level and start to better understand and express my emotions and to learn more of the trauma and somatic work. These additions have been amazing. And while I am in a great place I know that they are going a long way to unearth deeper patterns and will truly be the beginning of breaking down the generational trauma. With so much love and gratitude for the immense amount of work you have put into this beautiful program I thank you!
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.
Right now I have definitely been riding the wave as the somatics and TRE/Trauma course of mod 6 is extremely powerful and a bit overwhelming for me. So it’s hard to objective right now with lack of sleep and being more emotional than I have been.
That being said, I know when I began Creating Calm (Aug ‘22 I think?) I was elated and saw immediate success with food intolerance lessening dramatically and so much more confidence and was able to handle my angry dad and stressed mom at Thanksgiving and Christmas after have major breast reduction surgery in Oct (literally and figuratively opened up a lot of heart chakra work to be done etc) unlike I ever have before- although it was scary in certain moments I remained more calm than ever, stood up for myself in truth and grace – which is pretty much all I could hope for so far with our complicated relationship.
It is a great challenge to parent my child still through this (and being single) and I plan on utilizing more resources going forward. I would say I’m a bit overwhelmed with new info and really relieved we have a break until April to not have the weekly deadlines and just assimilate what I’ve learned at a more intuitive pace. Which of course I could have done more of that previously, but I expected myself to keep up.
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.
The ability to dance with my nervous system is finally learned here and I can listen to my body and invite rest and safety on a deeper level even with symptoms. I still have the container to hold the storm and ITS, shame, anger like a mother earth. What a gift this is!
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.
2 plus years ago i was diagnosed with pots and felt my life had fallen apart. I was so busy before and now i couldnt manage day to day things, even getting a bath or dressed was hard. I felt my relationship was being affected with my husband and children. I struggled for about 6 months at the start, then i had a 12 month period of being able to manage it. But i relapsed again last may. Since then i began with anxiety, stress to any little thing, low mood, catastrophising, hypervigilance, plus many new its. I tried gupta but didnt have lasting improvements so as a last resort and with determination i tried PT.
Acceptance was a huge deal for me. I didnt want to accept this was my life but i know it was holding me back. But PT has helped me gain that acceptance, it has helped me calm, it has helped me to pace, to recognise when i need to regulate.
My its arent gone but have lessened, my mood has improved. I had quite a good understanding of it all prior to starting. I study psychology at masters level and have completed research on it all. So i think my understanding has really helped pull it all together. I loved to learn all the tools (some of which i already knew but i have learnt many more), i particularly love the ‘i am here now mantra’ and the pendulating.
I am a different person! Not only have I healed and sent „my“ autoimmune condition (Hashimotos) into remission (no more symptoms or antibodies) but I am also hugely resilient, happy 95% of the time and no longer drown in trauma reactions from cPTSD. I am back working, travelling and meeting friends and challenging contact & situations alike… like meeting my mother for the first time in 2 years or even burying a loved one. I can handle everything and stay healthy and with tons of inner peace 
Primal Trust is the most complete set of brain retraining and nervous system regulation tools out there. There are so many unique missing pieces out of other programs that are included with Primal Trust.
I have personally use this program to not only completely transform my life physically, and emotionally…. I also used it to completely remove myself away from anti-anxiety medication as well. There is no one thing that is a home run when you were trying to regulate a chronic condition and your nervous system. It is a toolbox and that toolbox is definitely found here.
More upright and able to walk a little more. Less ruminating and worrying about mold or researching things. Able to reframe my thoughts more or catch myself after negative ones.
After taking Primal Trust – Regulate I have a better understanding of what is happening in my body and how it is connected to my mind and thoughts. I now can quickly and easily stop myself from ruminating on negative thoughts from the past, victim mentality that creeps in and can let go of lifelong hyper-vigilance. I feel more in control, I have tools that are easy to use and I love the community aspect and the people I have met. I no longer feel isolated and sick; I’m feeling safer and more calm than I ever have. I’m very grateful to Dr. Cat and her team!
It’s just a really well designed, informative and empathetic program with so much to learn. The idea that chronic illness is chronic stress is so revolutionary and forced me to take a completely different look at what was really going on with me. Within a week or two I saw dramatic changes.
It’s hard and requires a ton of self discipline and mental strength but if you are willing to accept Dr Cat’s message and a little tough love and then put in the work, you will see a massive shift- and fast. I personally have not done any live classes or study groups as I find the daily practices require a lot of time already.
I love being by able to watch pre recorded sessions as they become relevant though eg the sleep class. Module 7 I didn’t find added much to what we had learned already and actually by the later modules I did start to find the volume of tools and content a bit overwhelming. For me the impact is mostly in the earlier modules as that’s where the biggest lightbulbs were going off. But I wouldn’t miss dr cat’s teachings for the world so stuck with all the content. And I am eager for module 2.
Primal Trust level 1 has been life changing to me. I’ve been bedridden and life threatening sick for many years. I was kept alive by intravenous nutrition in a dark room, completely bedridden. I have made improvements over a couple of years, but they’ve been slow and minor. With Regulate I’ve seen huge improvements. I feel more embodied and safe than I’ve ever felt before. I love how the modules and all the tools are beautiful put together from different things like brain retraining, somatic experiencing, vagus toning, nervous system regulation etc. Dr Cat has beautifully orchestrated the best of these things into this program that is truly life transforming. It’s as if she’s got you! For me, I can now sit up more in bed. I’ve been able to take a couple of steps on my own two feet for the first time in 9 years! And I have been able to leave the house by wheelchair. Previously I needed ambulance to be transported anywhere. So this is huge for me! I also love the study groups, and I’ve made friendships and connections that feel so safe and supportive for me. I feel like a brand new person. As if the old trauma based personality that used to run me is now gracefully shedding away and dying, and I’m rebuilding myself from who I truly am. From my Soul Self. Expressing who I am authentically.
I feel empowered, and as if I’m gaining back the power in my life. It’s no longer my illness that has the power over me. And I’ve found back to myself, to my own heart and soul. Being reminding Who I AM and what I love. Which is the biggest gift I could’ve ever asked for. Thank you, Dr. Cat.
With Primal Trust, I have a more clear understanding of what was arising for me after not knowing what and why it was happening. I now feel more relief around my sensations and emotions.
Before I joined Primal Trust, I had worked through another brain retraining program; however, the practices did not resonate with me. I had also just lost my job due to my illness. It wasn’t a job I particularly liked, but it was only part time with good benefits for my family and me. I began Primal Trust firmly stuck in the “fix-it” mentality, while also having the persistent thought of “I’ll never recover.” Upon beginning Primal Trust, my mental outlook began to change almost immediately. Dr. Cat’s teaching is both accessible and inspiring.
Through working the pattern interrupt that was taught in Module 1, and then the full ABC rounds taught in Module 4, my outlook is much different. I now believe that I can recover, and that it is okay to “be here now in this” – whether “this” means unemployment, physical symptoms, or thoughts and emotions . As a result of this shift, my nervous system has become much more regulated, and I am no longer as reactive to triggers as I was just six months ago. This is a huge success to me, as I have had a dis-regulated nervous system since childhood due to trauma.
The ability to identify when I am becoming dysregulated. Sometimes it is quickly other times it takes me a day but then I can see that I am getting dysregulated and know I have to work on my tools more but also the understanding that it is okay. My energy has improved from napping 1-2 hrs a day to some days no nap needed to max about an hour now. The ability to cry and let my emotions out easier has been wonderful!
I am not shutting down and dissociating like I use to and I can see when it happens. It feels better to be in my body feeling than to be numb!!!! Energy, communication with loved ones, being able to speak instead of shutting down, I have periods where I can eat without symptoms or minimal symptoms now, I know what it feels like to be in my body, I have sense of innate okay at times, I believe I can continue to heal and improve!
Right now I have definitely been riding the wave as the somatics and TRE/Trauma course of mod 6 is extremely powerful and a bit overwhelming for me. So it’s hard to objective right now with lack of sleep and being more emotional than I have been.
That being said, I know when I began Creating Calm (Aug ‘22 I think?) I was elated and saw immediate success with food intolerance lessening dramatically and so much more confidence and was able to handle my angry dad and stressed mom at Thanksgiving and Christmas after have major breast reduction surgery in Oct (literally and figuratively opened up a lot of heart chakra work to be done etc) unlike I ever have before- although it was scary in certain moments I remained more calm than ever, stood up for myself in truth and grace – which is pretty much all I could hope for so far with our complicated relationship.
It is a great challenge to parent my child still through this (and being single) and I plan on utilizing more resources going forward. I would say I’m a bit overwhelmed with new info and really relieved we have a break until April to not have the weekly deadlines and just assimilate what I’ve learned at a more intuitive pace. Which of course I could have done more of that previously, but I expected myself to keep up.
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 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!
Before I joined Primal Trust, I had worked through another brain retraining program; however, the practices did not resonate with me. I had also just lost my job due to my illness. It wasn’t a job I particularly liked, but it was only part time with good benefits for my family and me. I began Primal Trust firmly stuck in the “fix-it” mentality, while also having the persistent thought of “I’ll never recover.” Upon beginning Primal Trust, my mental outlook began to change almost immediately. Dr. Cat’s teaching is both accessible and inspiring.
Through working the pattern interrupt that was taught in Module 1, and then the full ABC rounds taught in Module 4, my outlook is much different. I now believe that I can recover, and that it is okay to “be here now in this” – whether “this” means unemployment, physical symptoms, or thoughts and emotions . As a result of this shift, my nervous system has become much more regulated, and I am no longer as reactive to triggers as I was just six months ago. This is a huge success to me, as I have had a dis-regulated nervous system since childhood due to trauma.
– Emotionally and mentally more balanced
– Able to self regulate
– No longer triggered by my environment or seeing e.g. mould
– Trust in my mind and body
– Trust in my ability to heal and to deal with life in future
– Eating more foods
– Socialising again
– More energy!
I have gone from extremely fatigued, brain fogged, hardly able to walk, extremely depressed and anxious, to now, after 5 months of regularly practising Primal Trust alongside medical treatment, I have more energy, mental clarity, hope in the future, am more present in my body, able to eat more foods, and to socialise again with friends. I can start living my life again! I am especially grateful to Dr Cat and also my wonderful Study Group and their support on this journey. Thank you.
I’ve noticed my patterns more and how to try stop the fight flight.
Amazing change in mindset and diet increasing.
Had 3 days of almost no symptoms!!! My nervous system is all over the place, but I think that’s good as it allows me to fine-tune my practice. My sleep is great! I feel happier, I’m taking more risks. And I’m getting out in front of negative & fearful thinking by just plugging in positive thoughts all day long.
Ability to be with more emotions. Ability to reprocess some traumas and go for more things in life that I want. Ability to handle parts backlash (mostly).
Smell sensitivity much improved. Tolerating a few more foods. Able to shower without fear of passing out.
My physical symptoms have not changed much, however, I am becoming emotionally regulated. I am able to process past traumas in a healthy way and be able to let them go. I love working on who I want to be in the future. For the first time in years, the future feels closer than ever.
The exercises and theory in Regulate have helped me learn to feel safe with food again. A few years ago, I was only able to tolerate about 15 different foods and for years was eating the same meals on repeat.
Now, I feel like I’m getting my freedom back in terms of what I can eat, and am always finding new foods I can bring into my diet. I can eat way more foods without symptoms now. For example, for years I couldn’t eat chocolate without developing vertigo, but I recently had a small amount and was okay.
I have more awareness of what’s happening inside my body, more awareness of my wants and needs, being more willing to speak up for myself in a non-confrontational way, not rushing around anymore, being kinder to myself setting more boundaries.
Over the years, I had explored almost all of the tools introduced in Level 1. However, they were all in isolation without a clear understanding of their purpose. They were also sought from a place of desperation. In Primal Trust level 1 I learned the “why” behind it all. I had no knowledge of limbic system impairment or nervous system dysregulation. Learning these concepts was a game changer for me. In addition, the scaffolding of information and progression of tools was well designed and sequenced in a way that helped ensure my success.
Mainly, the change of mentality when facing the symptoms, initially with fear and avoidance, and after the program with confidence to voluntarily re-expose myself to everything that was causing me reactions, gradually reducing the intensity of the sensitivity, trusting myself again and my body’s tolerance to all kinds of stimuli, feeling that I can change the situation, staying calm and neutral when my ANS is reactive and agitated.
Right now I have definitely been riding the wave as the somatics and TRE/Trauma course of mod 6 is extremely powerful and a bit overwhelming for me. So it’s hard to objective right now with lack of sleep and being more emotional than I have been.
That being said, I know when I began Creating Calm (Aug ‘22 I think?) I was elated and saw immediate success with food intolerance lessening dramatically and so much more confidence and was able to handle my angry dad and stressed mom at Thanksgiving and Christmas after have major breast reduction surgery in Oct (literally and figuratively opened up a lot of heart chakra work to be done etc) unlike I ever have before- although it was scary in certain moments I remained more calm than ever, stood up for myself in truth and grace – which is pretty much all I could hope for so far with our complicated relationship.
It is a great challenge to parent my child still through this (and being single) and I plan on utilizing more resources going forward. I would say I’m a bit overwhelmed with new info and really relieved we have a break until April to not have the weekly deadlines and just assimilate what I’ve learned at a more intuitive pace. Which of course I could have done more of that previously, but I expected myself to keep up.
More upright and able to walk a little more. Less ruminating and worrying about mold or researching things. Able to reframe my thoughts more or catch myself after negative ones.
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.
The ability to identify when I am becoming dysregulated. Sometimes it is quickly other times it takes me a day but then I can see that I am getting dysregulated and know I have to work on my tools more but also the understanding that it is okay.
My energy has improved from napping 1-2 hrs a day to some days no nap needed to max about an hour now. The ability to cry and let my emotions out easier has been wonderful! I am not shutting down and dissociating like I use to and I can see when it happens. It feels better to be in my body feeling than to be numb!!!! Energy, communication with loved ones, being able to speak instead of shutting down, I have periods where I can eat without symptoms or minimal symptoms now, I know what it feels like to be in my body, I have sense of innate okay at times, I believe I can continue to heal and improve!
Feeling much more calm and very happy. Caring less about my symptoms. Most important one for me: I discovered self love. From resistance towards my symptoms I moved to curiousity with somatic tracking. It was such a cool experience to observe the physical sensations in my body with curiosity and I developed such appreciation for it.
My symptoms lessened generally, even though they fluctuate a lot. I have a little more energy and I could do more of the things I love (spending time with friends, even joining a party to dance, went to the cinema for the first time). I made more progress with PT in 2 months than I did with DNRS in 6.
The quality of my life has improved greatly over the 3 months that I have been enrolled in the Primal Trust Level 1 Regulate program. My sleep has improved. I have less anxiety and have had relief from a constant/all-day/every day “unease” feeling. I became aware of the negativity bias of my thoughts and then empowered by my ability of choice to re-direct thoughts in a positive manner. I am better able to process emotions and be present when I am feeling uncomfortable. Other people have noticed that I am more balanced and have better interpersonal interactions. I am learning what pace works best for me and I take time to rest, relax and just be. I have been able to participate in a few of life’s activities and even though they have not been lengthly or frequent, I have had a deeper appreciation and awareness of those experiences.
I am trusting more in myself, my journey, and the nervous system regulation process and believe that as I continue to implement what I have learned from Primal Trust, over time I will continue to make good progress in my overall functioning and living the life that I want and love. Thank you to the Primal Trust community and team especially mentor Janet Bone and Dr. Cathleen King. See you in Level 2!
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 am truly grateful for this program. After a lifetime of living in fear and with anxiety, I now feel a sense of calm.
I had lot of tools thrown at me over the years but this is the first program to really tie it all together for me. My mind is no longer racing, my symptoms don’t rule my days, I am not looking for the reason behind the symptoms or what “I did” to cause them to happen. I am able to exercise daily and walk my dog 2+ miles a day. I recently started to drive again.
The best improvement is being able to fully engage with my husband and step daughter and to enjoy family time together again. While I am not fully healed, I’m doing exponentially better, I no longer let my illness define me and I am excited for all the future holds for me. Thank you, Dr. Cat for all of the energy you put into this program. I was hesitant to start it, it took me months to finally do so, and it is the best thing I have done for myself.
Primal Trust has been a completely different experience than other things I have tried. It has filled in the missing pieces to the puzzle. I experienced a significant mood shift very early on. One of the strongest indicators to me that it was working was when I realized that I had been staying in a moldy environment for 3 weeks and was completely unaware. I would have had alarms going off previously and I also didn’t crash after being around chemicals.
I love that this program teaches the science. There is some built in flexibility and it encourages self-compassion, which is so important. My energy started improving pretty quickly and I have been able to start walking a few days a week and the somatics classes have given this over 60 person her body back. Inflammation, stiffness, and associated pain are so greatly reduced. I can get on the floor with my grandkids without wondering if I’ll be stuck there. I think patience and perseverance are key.
Just keep moving forward no matter what life throws at you. My difficulties have been met with instruction on boundaries and understanding how to move through trauma that I didn’t even realize was trauma. I have only done this for 4 months, and really 3 because I was away for a month, so I still have more to go on this journey and expect many more improvements.
I am looking forward to the inner work in level 2 that I believe will restore even more calm and strength than level one has already given me. These tools are gold and will go with me wherever life takes me.
I frequently tell people that Primal Trust is THE premier trauma recovery and chronic illness recovery program. Nothing else matches it.
I started with Level 2. Adding in Level 1 has been important for me and I know I will continue to benefit. After many years of reading books and having sessions with practitioners, I’m grateful that Level 1 wraps together in an easily digestible way so much that I’ve been trying to learn. Because I trust Dr. Cat and our life experiences have been similar, I find it easy to commit to whatever practices she recommends. Level 1 has brought me noticeable nervous system regulation and I know it’s going to keep advancing as I now go through Level 2 again.
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.
The most life-altering, debilitating, and recalcitrant of all the symptoms I’ve experienced was fatigue (CFS/Lyme). So naturally, this is the symptom in which change has been most impactful. With the increase in energy I’ve been able to get back to work (see massage clients again) and I’ve been able to socialize and participate in activities outside our home. (Over the past 6-7 years I had become increasingly more homebound and isolated.)
I experience far less rumination about mental topics of all kinds. I’ve been able to gain and maintain a healthy weight, not just because of improved digestive function and increased appetite, but because the dread/fear/“I’m not okay-ness” is no longer draining and suppressing my bodily resources.
All of my relationships, especially the one with my husband, have greatly improved, as has my sense of self-worth. I feel more consistently embodied. I feel that I’m moving out of a long-term state of contraction and my heart is opening to the verdancy of life— It truly feels like rebirth after so much “dying”. I’m coming alive in ways that I previously believed were not possible for someone like me. I’m buzzing with vitality and renewal and with this comes a deep conviction to do good with these bodily resources, for myself, my family, my community and beyond. Thank you from the depths of my heart for the life-giving gift that is Primal Trust. ❤️
Tolerating exposure to mold without a reaction, not being triggered by some things my brother does that have triggered me in the past, not getting freaked out over loud music, driving more calmly, not stressing over going to work and worrying if I will make it through the day, going to restaurants without worrying about reactions. I started the program interested, but am now ending the program enthralled. I had resistance about ABC’s, but told myself to just acknowledge that I am resisting. I did it haphazardly in the beginning. I still don’t get it fully (my resistance won’t allow that!), but I am doing it anyway. The beauty is that you don’t need to understand why, nor do it perfectly, but it still works! In these past few weeks, I have really understood on a core level what has been going on all these years. Awareness helps melt it away, and the tools do the rest. It is so exciting to know that there is a way out; I just have to get out of my own way.
This programme has been brilliant, and so eye opening to see how nervous system dysregulation can lie behind so many different symptoms and issues. Learning about the cell danger response has made a lot of sense and is comforting in a way, that we don’t have to keep finding the reason or solution to every different symptom. Also learning that our bodies can heal naturally if we take the stress away. Whilst I’m still learning to implement this in practice, this knowledge has been invaluable.
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!
WOW! Where do I even begin?
I started Primal Trust at the end of January 2023 and it has been life changing. I have been sick for the last 3 years and it took several years before I found an answer to the unexplained decline in my health. Prior to being sick, I lived a very clean lifestyle eating organic and using the best products possible. When I became sick no one could understand why and many people told me I had mental health issues and needed to just get over it.
I finally found out that I had mold illness and chronic lyme. I have spent the last year and a half working with several practitioners trying to heal and have only been able to get so far. I had unexplained reactions to supplements and wasn’t able to complete many protocols because I couldn’t tolerate most things.
I started working with Dr. Jaban Moore at the beginning of this year and he recommended your program on my first day. I started that night and very quickly have shifted everything. It’s like I am coming back to life! I have more energy, I’m more calm, I can tolerate protocols he has me on, and finally feel like I have found the missing link after all these years! I am still in module 4 and can’t believe the improvements I have seen not even halfway through the program! I work from home and have spent a lot of time in isolation from being sick and have loved the community aspect of this program so much.
I enjoy being able to integrate these classes into my schedule each day and connect with others going through the same thing. I am so grateful for this program and feel incredibly lucky to have found it! Feeling safer in my body, more able to do the things I love, able to get out of the house more, ability to regulate when I am out doing things I want to do but my nervous system/body think otherwise, more energy to be present in life
Primal trust has provided me with an understanding or what is happening with the nervous system when dealing with chronic illness. The online platform, comprehensive videos, recorded live Q & A for each Module and workbook were all so impactful. I was mostly in a dorsal vagal state and isolated all with limited capacity to do much of anything. DNRS did help me some, but I reached a plateau.
When I started Primal trust in April 2023, I told myself “ this is what I have been looking for!”. Implementing the tools got me, over time, to an overall better state of mind (less fear) and physical capacity to move every day. I am only 3 months in and I am seeing positive changes with more and more wins! I am just so grateful I found this program!
Mentally, I have more awareness. I can at least put labels on what is happening when I ride waves, and I have a place to come back to. I feel more resources to have tools to relax. I feel a sense of empowerment with this knowledge, even if still struggling with actually implementing and sticking to tools/routines when triggered.
For the first time in 10+ years and literally countless doctors, tests, diets, supplements and more, I feel like I have actually scratched the surface of the root cause and can see a path back to health, happiness and vitality.
I knew deep down that something was not right beyond the physical symptoms, but I could not specify exactly what that was beyond stress/anxiety, and looked outward, not inward. I know I need to do Level 2 and am excited to do so. But already – even if I am still not great at changing unwanted behaviors when triggered, at least I understand what is happening, and I have a place to come back to.
I feel more resourced and a sense of empowerment with this knowledge. I am eternally grateful for the incredible wisdom and knowledge you have shared, and to sparking a path that I wish I had started on long ago.
The quality of my life has improved greatly over the 3 months that I have been enrolled in the Primal Trust Level 1 Regulate program. My sleep has improved. I have less anxiety and have had relief from a constant/all-day/every day “unease” feeling. I became aware of the negativity bias of my thoughts and then empowered by my ability of choice to re-direct thoughts in a positive manner. I am better able to process emotions and be present when I am feeling uncomfortable. Other people have noticed that I am more balanced and have better interpersonal interactions.
I am learning what pace works best for me and I take time to rest, relax and just be. I have been able to participate in a few of life’s activities and even though they have not been lengthly or frequent, I have had a deeper appreciation and awareness of those experiences.
I am trusting more in myself, my journey, and the nervous system regulation process and believe that as I continue to implement what I have learned from Primal Trust, over time I will continue to make good progress in my overall functioning and living the life that I want and love.
Thank you to the Primal Trust community and team especially mentor Janet Bone and Dr. Cathleen King. See you in Level 2!
Primal trust helped me take back control over my life. I stopped letting my symptoms rule my life. Most importantly – I AM DONE RESISTING so much of my life and now embracing it and as Dr. Cat likes to say “Being more embodied.” I finally feel like I know what that means to me.
I still get symptoms, but I can meet them where they’re at and accept them in and soften to them instead of resist them. And I don’t let them derail my entire life! I do still sometimes get stuck in a trauma loop with hypervigilence/googling symptoms, but now I can identify it much faster and move through it. I’ve deleted social media, and am looking at making big changes to my work and schedule to better suit who I am as a human.
I had a fantastic experience with level 1. I was so obsessed with my health and my symptoms–I spent most hours of most days thinking about it. Now, I have the tools to get myself out of that pattern quickly, and am more in touch with myself to make the changes to my life and my schedule that support who I am. Thank you!!!
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.
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 them 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.
The ability to identify when I am becoming dysregulated. Sometimes it is quickly other times it takes me a day but then I can see that I am getting dysregulated and know I have to work on my tools more but also the understanding that it is okay. My energy has improved from napping 1-2 hrs a day to some days no nap needed to max about an hour now.
The ability to cry and let my emotions out easier has been wonderful! I am not shutting down and dissociating like I use to and I can see when it happens. It feels better to be in my body feeling than to be numb!!!!
Energy, communication with loved ones, being able to speak instead of shutting down, I have periods where I can eat without symptoms or minimal symptoms now, I know what it feels like to be in my body, I have sense of innate okay at times, I believe I can continue to heal and improve!
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.
I have more awareness of triggers and brain patterns and how to utilize the tools to deal with them. I don’t get rattled as easily, and if I do, I have tools to deal with that as well. I have gains in physical strength. I have a lot more positive thoughts and fewer negative ones. I have more energy and thus get more done during the day. I am better able to set boundaries.
Am more hopeful, more positive. Brain function seems better. More ok with resting- not always pushing. Am more ok with solitude; a little less anxious. Still have periods of intense fear – PTSD – but am more aware that they are temporary.
I am amazed by the program. I feel like I’ve been looking for you for at least 3 years now maybe longer. Such great understanding of what my path has been like with terrific guidance in how to navigate something so difficult and tools to move me forward. the support of a community is absolutely the way I want to go. I very much feel the feel that you’re creating with primal trust and want to be a part of it. thank you thank you thank you.
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.
So far I am noticing less symptoms (brain fog, lightheadedness, dizziness) when I go out into the world and a little less anxiety/fear of triggers and symptoms.
I started pooping again. I was not able to go without some type of enema or suppository. I also don’t think I’m dying every time any little feeling of a symptom pops up.
I’ve done DNRS and Gupta and really did get a lot out of their programs, but Primal Trust has been my favorite. I love that incorporates brain retraining, vagus nerve exercises and somatics. I do believe I’m really going to benefit from moving into level 2 and 3 , but I have seen a modest improvement in my sleep and fatigue since doing Regulate for a few months.
– Emotionally and mentally more balanced
– Able to self regulate
– No longer triggered by my environment or seeing e.g. mould
– Trust in my mind and body
– Trust in my ability to heal and to deal with life i future
– Eating more foods
– Socialising again
– More energy!
I have gone from extremely fatigued, brain fogged, hardly able to walk, extremely depressed and anxious, to now, after 5 months of regularly practising Primal Trust alongside medical treatment, I have more energy, mental clarity, hope in the future, am more present in my body, able to eat more foods, and to socialise again with friends. I can start living my life again! I am especially grateful to Dr Cat and also my wonderful Study Group and their support on this journey. Thank you.
Before Primal Trust, I felt sick all the time and had very little energy. I was missing out on life as I spent most days lying in bed, just having enough energy to get through the day and take my daughter places. Now I have so much energy I want to do all the things! It’s so amazing to live life again. I have a great sense of wellbeing and joy and I’m so grateful for Dr Cat.
I do a daily practice of Hannah Somatics and it has helped my pain levels enormously. The camaraderie of the study group is priceless and so very helpful! I so appreciate the roadmap that Dr Cat has provided and I understand so much more about my limbic system impairment. Thank You!!!
Had 3 days of almost no symptoms!!! My nervous system is all over the place, but I think that’s good as it allows me to fine-tune my practice. My sleep is great! I feel happier, I’m taking more risks. And I’m getting out in front of negative & fearful thinking by just plugging in positive thoughts all day long.
As part of my treatment for mold illness, my Doctor suggested I sign up for Primal Trust. At first I was triggered and thought my Doctor was suggesting my symptoms were all in my head. However, I was open minded and decided to give the program a try anyway. As I completed more and more of the modules, and used the tools, I became aware of the extent that my nervous system dysregulation was influencing the physical symptoms I was experiencing.
At the completion of Level 1, my physical, mental and emotional symptoms were much improved. I am forever grateful to Dr. Cat and her wonderful program for teaching me the tools to reclaim my life and my health. Since starting the program, I have noticed significant improvement in my physical symptoms. I am less fatigued and have less brain fog.
Emotionally I am able to allow the emotions to move through, without holding onto or suppressing them. Mentally, I have broken the pattern of being on a continuous loop of thinking about my illness and physical symptoms. I am present in my life and an active participant.
Calmer demeanor overall. Happier. More positive. Less anxiety. Little to no rumination. (This was a near constant for me at times…so what a RELIEF!) Aware of thought loops, patterns, triggers and dysregulation. Much more compassionate with myself. Inner voice is nice. Less fear.
I was doing this program along with working with a functional nutritional therapist. I was severely depressed and anxious – had migraines, extreme exhaustion and flu-like symptoms for three weeks. I ended up having to quit my job and move across the country back in with my parents. I would spend most of the day in a dark room in bed.
After about 4 months doing the program, like a different person – no longer anti-social, no migraines, exhaustion greatly improved and finally had hope. After 6 months I had many job opportunities and moved across the country to live a normal life again!
Primal Trust level one has had a huge impact on my mental, physical, and emotional well being. It has shown me how to be okay even when my body doesn’t feel okay. Through the tools and insights learned, I have been able to significantly improve my ability to regulate my behaviours and be the person I want to be on a consistent basis. It’s a journey for anyone going through chronic illness, but this program offers amazing resources to to help make real progress.
I’ve increased my capacity and my energy levels have improved. I feel stronger emotionally and more at peace.
I think the first thing was realizing that my symptoms are me. My stress response. I have tested that many times. Realizing that I have been in fight or flight for years. Just taking time to rest and recognizing when I am putting my body under stress. The movement has been amazing. But mostly, the knowledge that I can heal and my body can heal itself.
Much improved and more stable mood. More energy. It’s certainly a unique, comprehensive approach to stress. I found it interesting.
More energy. More desire to get out and do things. Getting out and doing more. Longer walks. Less neurological symptoms. More positive outlook.
Over the years, I had explored almost all of the tools introduced in Level 1. However, they were all in isolation without a clear understanding of their purpose. They were also sought from a place of desperation. In Primal Trust level 1 I learned the “why” behind it all. I had no knowledge of limbic system impairment or nervous system dysregulation.
Learning these concepts was a game changer for me. In addition, the scaffolding of information and progression of tools was well designed and sequenced in a way that helped ensure my success.
The most helpful aspects have been the incredible, brilliant and loving/compassionate/transparent delivery of information, the incredibly loving and wise community and mentors, and committing myself to a routine, and doing short practices throughout the day during a really stressful demanding time in my life. I’m still struggling with the ABC’s and how to get into that elevated/happy state, but Steve has been amazing with helping me to bring my creative process into this. I can’t say enough about how significant his presence has been on my journey. Right now I continue to work with him weekly and soooooo grateful.
I have been recommending this journey to so many. Cat is brilliant and loving and real beyond words. I have had such resistance throughout my life to join groups and following protocols. I had resistance for the first month, but now I am sold. This is real true healing and authentic community.
I found my primal trust. I’m seeing more and more that I am so much more than my body and symptoms.
Three and a half months ago I was housebound and often bedbound. The last 5 days in a row I’ve gone on hour long walks. I’m getting reacquainted with joy and making friends with my body for the first time in my life. Thank you so much Primal Trust for helping me come back home to myself.
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!
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
So many it’s hard to even name them all! I’ll keep it to the most impactful ones.
1.) A true and sincere opening of my mind and heart to the reality of my nervous system dysregulation as the primary driver of the multitude of health issues I had accumulated over the years. I went through other programs such as ANS Rewire and DNRS, but your program helped me truly trust the science and the process on a soul level. This has led to the rest of the process unfolding in a way that I’m still marveling at.
2.) With your story and education around the AMP, I was drawn out of denial and was able to acknowledge the contracted state of my spirit, of my essence, and the distance away I had traveled away from my true self. Your focus on this area of development and your profound personal evolution motivated me to start rediscovering my self and my values. I recognized that being out of alignment was a very much a root cause of my state of being. This led to a substantial effort to get reacquainted with my true nature and things that bring me joy and personal growth….I got back into playing piano, which brought me closer to the person I remember being in the first place. I journaled to try and help myself understand my thought patterns and behaviors so that I could understand the road that got me here and start paving the path to the future I desire. I put energy back into making new friends and nurturing some that I had let go neglected for sometime. I realized with my creativity and desire for social connection that I wanted to help my kids and other kids connect at their school connect on a community level, so I built a community for my kids online school. We have several monthly meetups that mean the world to mine and other kids who do school at home where the opportunity for social interaction is minimal.
3.)With all of the education you provided (and Simona) around fear-based thinking and how it keeps us stuck, I was able to slowly start facing panic inducing situations head on. Values over Fear became a daily mantra. I began driving again after not having been able to drive for 6 months due to panic attacks. I was able to conquer my fear of public places and began to make short trips to the grocery store. I can now be in public anywhere for any length of time. With the details of your own story rewiring in mold, I began to confront and rewire my fears related to the mold in my home and outside my home. I am now able to spend time in the areas of my home with mold and I’m ok. I’m also able to go into places outside my home with mold, and I’m fine.
4.) With the ABC technique and vagal toning exercises, I’m much calmer. I find myself flowing between states much more easily these days than when I first began. I’m less reactionary toward my spouse and kids. I can have rational conversations even over triggering topics with my spouse and I am more able to attend to my family’s needs because I have the energy and the mental bandwidth to take on things outside of my head. I don’t feel drained, fragmented, and on edge 24-7.
5.) Physical stuff like fatigue, tremors, moderate to severe pain in various locations has ceased. Dizziness is now an infrequent occurrence. My heart palpitations are much less frequent and not as intense; I haven’t used propranolol in months to control my HR. My fatigue is almost non-existent. I no longer use Ativan to control my panic attacks because they are very infrequent and manageable.
6.) My reaction to symptoms isn’t nearly as intense and I am able to tolerate them and keep moving through my day when they occur. I worry much, much less over bodily sensations that I used to. I don’t obsessively research and investigate them anymore, and I haven’t been going between medical specialties since beginning the program. Thank you doesn’t go far enough. I’m so grateful you are here with us now in this and that you are brave enough to continue to pave such a brilliant path for the rest of us. With love, respect, and gratitude.
Hands down the most comprehensive, densely theoretical/ scientific yet somehow light, easily accessible, human and relatable program i’ve come across for chronic illness/ pain/ trauma. Much of the content I had studied before, but hearing it in a specific way, at a carefully structured pace, with the knowledge, personal experience and humility of Dr Cat makes it land incredibly differently.
Every possible query or doubt that came up along the way, Dr Cat had it answered (and some) before I got a chance to bail and move to the next thing. Not all exercises/ tools will be for everyone, but the beauty of the program is that it provides a structure/ theory within which you can discover your own subjective healing pathway, empowering you to take ownership of your own journey whilst providing all the tools, guidance and community you could possibly need to choose from. I am improving/ finding my way slowly, and finally able to embrace the ‘slow’….. Thank you for this gift. (happy to have first name Laura, but no surname shared please)
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!!!!
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.
This has brought about change that is very profound, changed things in ways I could never believe or even imagine. The way the tools are put together and shown how to use them and integrate them into daily life is of key importance here, then you start using them and feeling through what they do as well. I love some of the other resources, too. The sound baths I have been listening to every day. It’s rich with resources, I still have much more to discover.
My capacity has improved in terms of energy, I feel well and vitality more often, my emotional resilience, the relationship with myself and others and i know i still have more of this to come. I’m so glad I chose Primal Trust. My recovery time is quicker – i might have an energy dip and go into dorsal but i come through it quickly and every time with an improvement in capacity I feel good more often – i have long windows of feeling vitality and well through my day, most days I am more emotionally regulated – if i get into an argument with my husband i stop myself when i start to raise my voice, remove myself and calm myself down. then i go and speak to him calmly later and actually express myself. this is for the first time in my life!
I know myself now and my needs, for the first time i really have this awareness of what this means When i am triggered into a panic state i self-soothe much more quickly and come around right away before i might have a dip, and really spiral but i can bring myself back easily. I can listen to music again (I had a sensitivity where i could only be comfortable with a few songs at a time) i listen to it every day and it is a tool now I love how this programme involved music.
Joy! More energy, more capacity, I am consistently doing more and improving. I also noticed i now have good steady energy on most days from when i wake up until bedtime. Improved sleep I am less seeking of distraction like TV (which i did use way too much through my life, i always had to have tv, or a podcast or something) and am happy being more present with myself and what’s important, helpful and fulfilling to me I started drawing after feeling pull to doing it for years but always had a blockage I trust myself to do the right thing, and i consistently show up for myself.
Fantastic program. Can’t recommend it highly enough. Everything you need is here put together with such loving care and heart and support. A true gift to the world. My moods and hormones are calmer and more stable. I am kinder to myself. I set more boundaries.
Feeling much more calm and very happy. Caring less about my symptoms. Most important one for me: I discovered self love. From resistance towards my symptoms I moved to curiousity with somatic tracking. It was such a cool experience to observe the physical sensations in my body with curiosity and I developed such appreciation for it.
My symptoms lessened generally, even though they fluctuate a lot. I have a little more energy and I could do more of the things I love (spending time with friends, even joining a party to dance, went to the cinema for the first time). I made more progress with Primal Trust in 2 months than I did with DNRS in 6.
With Primal Trust Level 1, I’ve seen great improvements in my daily quality of life. On a physical level, I’m able to walk stairs again, my tachycardia has decreased and I feel calm more frequently, and my brain fog and headaches have reduced in frequency and severity. I have more confidence in myself again and am now intentionally pursuing my purpose alongside this work.
I am feeling much more calm and relaxed daily. If there is a stressful day I am able to use the tools and feel relaxed after. I am more present and feel better in my body. I have had 2 days of no symptoms. Also I had times when I felt very joyful, connected and relaxed. I feel more at peace with myself and more connected with myself. I feel more comfortable to be around a larger group of people in a larger space, also supermarkets do not tire me anymore. There are many things but overall my daily wellbeing has increased.
Primal Trust level 1 has been great for me. It helped create a very supportive daily structure that has helped me feel more regulated throughout the day. I am more relaxed, at peace, more connected with myself and more present. My body also feels the benefits of this state and I am able to connect with pleasure and aliveness almost on a daily basis, which is amazing after many months of daily pain. I am grateful for this program and I will continue with Level 2.
Regulate was such a fabulous course. It was extremely comprehensive but also very clearly explained. I now feel so well equipped to continue to work on my regulation and follow my own intuition based on an in-depth understand of what is going on and what my body needs that I have gained from Dr Cat’s insights.
My progress has been slow but steady and I expect to continue to move forwards to full health.
Since taking Primal Trust Level 1 I have begun a totally new relationship with my body. I am no longer at war with it. I am no longer fearful of my symptoms and they are going away!
This course has opened my eyes to so much regarding self-healing, self-compassion, visioning, and how stress lives in the body. And the course is brilliantly formatted and titrated. Dr. Cat is just such a loving, firm, clear presence.
I joined Primal Trust after a traumatic event and postpartum period triggered a lot of symptoms for me. I wanted to climb out of survival mode to be present with my baby and feel like me again.
It’s only been a few months, but I feel more energized, less anxious, and am getting back to things I love despite having some symptoms still. I work the PT exercises into my day despite chasing a baby around and am hopeful for continued changes.
It’s just a really well designed, informative and empathetic program with so much to learn. The idea that chronic illness is chronic stress is so revolutionary and forced me to take a completely different look at what was really going on with me. Within a week or two I saw dramatic changes. It’s hard and requires a ton of self discipline and mental strength but if you are willing to accept Dr Cat’s message and a little tough love and then put in the work, you will see a massive shift- and fast.
I personally have not done any live classes or study groups as I find the daily practices require a lot of time already. I love being by able to watch pre recorded sessions as they become relevant though eg the sleep class. Module 7 I didn’t find added much to what we had learned already and actually by the later modules I did start to find the volume of tools and content a bit overwhelming. For me the impact is mostly in the earlier modules as that’s where the biggest lightbulbs were going off. But I wouldn’t miss dr cat’s teachings for the world so stuck with all the content. And I am eager for module 2.
Primal Trust is the best thing I have done for myself ever. It is incredibly valuable and has helped me gain awareness into my behaviours and trauma patterns. It’s given me tools to help navigate life, and to be compassionate with myself, to recognize the shame and fear I have; where it stems from and to regain a deep connection with myself. In turn this has strengthened my marriage, helping me understand resistance and trauma patterns that I have been holding and this has helped me become truly emotional available.
I am calmer, happier and healthier. My symptoms of lyme disease are almost non-existent now and my digestion has drastically improved! No more nausea!!!! I am so grateful to Dr.Cat, and this community for this experience and for creating a safe and supportive environment to do this extremely important self care work.
Primal Trust has been completely life changing for me. I simply cannot find the words to convey my gratitude to Dr. Cat, Steve (who has been mentoring me), the rest of this AMAZING team, and all the wonderful people participating in this program and doing the work to heal. You all inspire me greatly. I love you all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this incredible gift you have given me.
I came into this program with an open mind, working hard to set aside any expectations and healing timelines. While I have an immense amount of work to do to continue to regulate my nervous system to heal my physical and emotional body, I have come a long way in developing trust in the process. I know that trust in my body and trust in this process is what will carry me through my healing journey.
I have the ability to really be in the present moment. I have the ability to relax now. Before there was always this small undercurrent of sympathetic activation. I can move out of that now and fully experience ventral vagal.
I have so much less fear. I can separate from the symptoms and be present in my body and not caught up with with symptoms or fear. This program has been just amazing. Thank you Dr. Cat and everyone at Primal Trust for the most amazing program. I went into Primal Trust expecting a more evolved brain retraining program, but what I got was so much more than I could have ever expected. I have noticed so many improvements already in less than two months. I have this brain retraining visualization that I’ve been using for a long time. This visualization is from a time when I was healthy and full of vitality. Yesterday I was driving and I all of a sudden realized that I feel exactly like I did in that visualization. Amazing.
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.
The quality of my life has improved greatly over the 3 months that I have been enrolled in the Primal Trust Level 1 Regulate program.
My sleep has improved. I have less anxiety and have had relief from a constant/all-day/every day “unease” feeling. I became aware of the negativity bias of my thoughts and then empowered by my ability of choice to re-direct thoughts in a positive manner. I am better able to process emotions and be present when I am feeling uncomfortable.
Other people have noticed that I am more balanced and have better interpersonal interactions. I am learning what pace works best for me and I take time to rest, relax and just be.
I have been able to participate in a few of life’s activities and even though they have not been lengthly or frequent, I have had a deeper appreciation and awareness of those experiences. I am trusting more in myself, my journey, and the nervous system regulation process and believe that as I continue to implement what I have learned from Primal Trust, over time I will continue to make good progress in my overall functioning and living the life that I want and love.
Thank you to the Primal Trust community and team especially mentor Janet Bone and Dr. Cathleen King. See you in Level 2!
I’d done other brain training courses for years and felt some benefit, but Primal Trust really took this to another level. As a course, it’s gotten much more to the root of my issue. In only two months I can already say that my internal perspective is shifting. I’m feeling a level of understanding and self-compassion for my body I’ve never experienced before.
I have seen some physical benefits too. I’m early in the process, I know it takes time, but the difficult days symptom-wise are starting to shift to being fewer than the good days.
Emotionally speaking, I’ve already started to gradually face and uncover some of my past trauma. I feel like I’m finally on my way to getting to the real root of healing instead of chasing symptoms and suppressing the past.
First time I did Level 1 was in the summer of last year. It impacted me positively faaast. I was blown away. What really did it for me was brain retraining…Overall, I now have the tools to deal with hard moment, it is priceless. And I am now understanding the hard moments way better. I have more compassion for myself, that’s for sure.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Several physical symptoms are improved: less gut pain, feeling more clear in my body, stress spots on skin going away. I’m able to handle foods much better than before.
Emotional/mental: I’m happier. I’m more present with my family and am able to enjoy time with them without getting upset with them (I know getting upset is due to me, not them). My list of things to do does not seem as daunting as it was before. I’m able to complete it being more calm and feeling my innate okayness rather than stress. Overall, I feel much more calm, at ease, and okay with my health condition and am not in a rush to “fix” it. Primal Trust is what I have been looking for for a very long time. Prior to this program, I had tried many things to help me improve my condition. I had made a lot of improvements and felt there was more but everything I had tried was not an answer to 100% recovery. I know it is possible but hadn’t found it yet and I believe Primal Trust is the answer. Having completed Level 1, I have experienced improvement that has not happened with anything else I’ve done. By the exercises given from Dr. Cat, I’ve been able to not only feel physical symptom relief, but to my surprise, my stress levels have lowered. I have been more present with those I love, and my need to “fixate” on my to-do list has dissipated dramatically. I plan to move on to Level 2 and look forward to more of my healing journey but I believe this is the real deal. Dr. Cat does not prescribe a magic pill to heal overnight, but teaches ways to heal over time. I can tell you that it works! This program is answering more of my overall health and well being concerns than I knew I had starting out. I’m so grateful to have found Dr. Cat and this program.
Able to regulate. More capacity to engage in the world. Ability to move myself up polyvagal ladder and understand where I am at on it. I have loved the brain down AND body up approach of Primal Trust and felt I was getting benefits right from the very first lessons in the free 3 day course!!
I feel so much more grounded and able to regulate and I now have a real sense of coming into and being connected to my body and really feeling a sense of wholeness. I feel I still have a way to go but am thrilled and so thankful for the journey and how far I have come.
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 freak owing to the education in this course
A little more inner peace
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.
I’m recognizing that control has been my mind’s solution to the primal fear which was instilled in me as a child. Nothing is safe, no relationship, no situation, not even my now emotions. I’m seeing now that I need to lean into trusting the emotions that arise from the experiences I find myself in. I no longer need to control but trust my own body and the grace that comes to me from God to handle it.
We were born with the innate/primal need to know God and can trust that he will give us what we need to integrate and be with the emotions that come from a life well lived. I certainly have gained more energy, though not enough for me to live the life I want. I have become more aware of the inner dynamics that my mind was trying to protect me from. I recognize the trauma of the past and the need to address it. For me, that has been the biggest thing.
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!
I feel whole, I am loving my body more, which never happened before. I was able to reduce a little of my steroid medications I take. I can walk 17 min, every other day on my treadmill on the lowest speed. I was able to introduce one mast cell medication I was not tolerating before.
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.
I do a daily practice of Hannah Somatics and it has helped my pain levels enormously. The camaraderie of the study group is priceless and so very helpful! I so appreciate the roadmap that Dr Cat has provided and I understand so much more about my limbic system impairment. Thank You!!!
The ability to identify when I am becoming dysregulated. Sometimes it is quickly other times it takes me a day but then I can see that I am getting dysregulated and know I have to work on my tools more but also the understanding that it is okay.
My energy has improved from napping 1-2 hrs a day to some days no nap needed to max about an hour now. The ability to cry and let my emotions out easier has been wonderful! I am not shutting down and dissociating like I use to and I can see when it happens. It feels better to be in my body feeling than to be numb!!!!
Energy, communication with loved ones, being able to speak instead of shutting down, I have periods where I can eat without symptoms or minimal symptoms now, I know what it feels like to be in my body, I have sense of innate okay at times, I believe I can continue to heal and improve!
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’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.
The Low Functionality Cohort improved by
87% within 3 months
All participants who practised for 6
months improved by an average of 60%
Lyme sufferers improved by an average of 51%
in just 3 months! (Chronic fatigue and long haul Covid was 40%, and Mold illness was 35%, etc)
Regulate™ program, our introductory and comprehensive nervous system regulation course.
We surveyed our members, to not only enhance the program from their feedback, by assessing quality, effectiveness and results for members, but also, so we can share with you the benefits of our program.
We asked course participants to self-rate their functionality both before and immediately after completing the Regulate™ course, on a scale of 1-10, where 1 is the lowest level of functionality and 10 is full health.
Obviously those with the most to gain are those whose functionality is the lowest, and here we found even more significant gains with the low functionality group (33% or lower self-rated entry functionality) improving by 87%, and the very low functionality group (25% or lower) improving by 115%.
We fully expect another three, 6 and 12 months of practice of the Regulate principles and tools to help people make the real gains. And our confidence is backed up by data where Primal Trust™ members who took 6 months to complete Regulate™ made better than twice as much progress as those taking 2 months.
[expander_maker id=”1″ more=”Read More” less=” “]We believe this demonstrably higher improvement over time is dependent on members spending both more time learning and absorbing the course, and also a longer time period of practice of the tools, and implementation of the principals. We expect this benefit from a longer time of practice to extend to all participants and to extend well beyond the 6 months we have tracked so far.
We believe that taking the time to gain a deeper understanding of the beneficial mindset, and approaches, and then spending more time integrating these into a daily routine to deploy the techniques and knowledge is the right way to go about nervous system change. For certain, we saw that for those who rushed through the course there was less improvement in the short term. Though we do believe these people would gain the same benefit had the survey been conducted after 6 months for them also.
At Primal Trust™ we strongly believe that the people who come here for help need to make deep nervous system change, and in reality for our members this, as well as learning, effort and consistency, takes time. So we are looking forward to our metrics from 6 and 12 month’s time we aim to share later this year. For now, we are pleased to share the improvements people have made from just completing the Regulate™ course.[/expander_maker]
Other highlights were that respondents who reported increased functional capacity by an average of 51%; those reporting Long Covid or CFS symptoms improved by an average of 40%. Anxiety and Mold sufferers reported improvement of 35%. Again all of these improvements were achieved in an average of just 3.5 months, and this time included the actual learning and practice of the Regulating tools.
Read the studies below
100+ pages on brain retraining, nervous system somatic healing. You could read this book, follow the practices, and truly see shifts with some dedication to the tools.
