Bethany Black, LPC, CPT

03/29/2026

During a meltdown, the goal is not to 'fix' or 'stop' the behaviour.
The goal is to help the nervous system return to safety.

What we say — and how we say it — makes a profound difference.

When a child is overwhelmed, the thinking parts of the brain are offline.
They can’t reason, respond, or problem-solve yet.
They need co-regulation, not correction.

This post offers phrases you can use at each stage of the meltdown cycle — not to control the moment, but to support safety, connection, and repair.

Because when a child learns:
“I can have big feelings and still be safe with you,”
they develop emotional resilience, trust, and self-understanding.

If you found this helpful and would like a deeper breakdown of each phase (with step-by-step support strategies), you’ll find the full Timeline of a Meltdown resource via link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

Save this to come back to when things feel overwhelming

03/29/2026

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03/28/2026

03/27/2026

03/27/2026

03/26/2026

Our What Is.... Series - today, INTEROCEPTION.

The hidden sense behind emotional regulation.

If a child seems to “go from 0 to 100” with no warning…

If they melt down suddenly…
If they struggle to tell you what’s wrong until they’re already overwhelmed…

There’s often a hidden sense behind it — interoception.

Today’s one-page visual breaks down what interoception is, why it’s so important for emotional regulation, and how you can gently support a young person whose internal signals feel confusing or too loud.

03/24/2026

03/23/2026

Legs up the wall is one of my favourite calm-down tools because it’s simple, gentle, and surprisingly powerful.

When a child’s nervous system is stuck in 'go-go-go' mode, this posture helps the body switch into rest-and-reset.

The legs being raised gives calming sensory input, encourages circulation, and can help slow the heart rate and soften tension in the body.

It’s brilliant for:
after school restraint collapse
bedtime anxiety
big feelings that won’t settle
overstimulation and sensory overload
those “I’m tired but I can’t stop” moments

You can invite it as a choice:
“Want to try legs up the wall for 2 minutes while we breathe together?”
No forcing. No perfection. Just a safe body pause.

Save this, print it off and stick somewhere it can be a reminder when needed. To save, click on the image, tap the three dots, and choose Save.