Working with memories and emotions
TRE™ works with the body’s natural release mechanisms, and what the body releases isn’t always comfortable:
- Physical sensations — Discomfort, temperature changes, tingling, nausea, pressure
- Emotions — Anger, fear, sadness, shame, or unexplained feelings without clear cause
- Memories — Clear recollections, visual scenes, fragments, or body sensations without narrative
- Involuntary expressions — Crying, laughter, sighs, yawns, spontaneous movements
What comes up isn’t a sign that something is wrong; it’s a sign that something is releasing. The body is doing exactly what it’s designed to do.
Body memories
Some memories are held in the body without words or narrative. These are felt as sensations, tensions, or postures rather than recalled as stories. They may not have a clear origin.
Body memories form from experiences that overwhelmed our capacity to process at the time. They’re especially common with pre-verbal experiences, before we had language to make sense of what was happening.
During TRE™, you might suddenly feel intense fear, tightness in your chest, or an urge to curl up, without knowing why. This could be a body memory surfacing for release.
You don’t need to understand body memories to release them. Allow the experience without needing to make sense of it, and use self-regulation if intensity exceeds your capacity.
Emotions
Emotions are bodily events. What we call ‘anger’, ‘fear’, or ‘sadness’ is the brain making sense of physical sensations: a racing heart, a clenched jaw, heat rising, an urge to move or withdraw. The label comes after the sensation.
In TRE™, we can work directly with the sensation without needing to name or interpret it. Our approach is always the same: notice what’s happening in your body and ask yourself whether you can stay with it a little longer.
You don’t need to understand where it comes from or why. Just observe, without trying to change anything. If it feels manageable, stay present; if it doesn’t, use your self-regulation tools. Either way, you’re building capacity.
If you’re experiencing panic (racing heart, difficulty breathing, a sense that something is very wrong), stop the tremors and focus on grounding. Panic isn’t something to push through; it’s a sign you’ve exceeded your capacity.
When to seek support
Consider working with a Certified TRE™ Provider if:
- Intense emotions or memories consistently overwhelm your capacity
- What arises is interfering with daily functioning
- Material is becoming more intense rather than resolving
There’s wisdom in recognising when you need support. A skilled Provider can offer co-regulation, guidance tailored to your needs, and a safe container for difficult material.
Seeking help for deeper work isn’t a limitation; it’s wisdom. The most challenging material often heals best in relationship.