This group is designed for individuals who feel they are at the mercy of their moods—those who experience “emotional storms” that feel unpredictable, overwhelming, or impossible to tame. Whether you struggle with sudden flares of anger, paralyzing waves of anxiety, or a chronic sense of being “flooded” by your feelings, this group provides a clinical laboratory to build the “muscles” of self-regulation.
At Cedar Tree Counseling in Tulsa, OK, our Support Groups for Emotional Regulation combine the structure of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with the latest insights from Polyvagal Theory to help you move from reactive survival to conscious mastery.
Beyond “Coping”: The Science of Regulation
Emotional regulation is a high-level executive function. When we are dysregulated, our brain’s “upstairs” (logic and reasoning) loses contact with the “downstairs” (emotion and survival). In a group setting, we don’t just talk about feelings; we practice the physical and cognitive skills required to keep the “upstairs brain” online.
- The Power of Mirroring: In a group, you learn to observe dysregulation in others, which helps you recognize it in yourself.
- The Social Safety Net: We use the group’s collective presence to practice “Co-regulation”—learning how to borrow the calm of others until your own system can find its center.
Our Clinical Curriculum: The DBT & Somatic Pillar
Our groups follow a structured, evidence-based curriculum that provides tangible tools you can use the moment you leave the room.
1. Mindfulness & Interoceptive Awareness
You cannot regulate what you cannot feel. We train you to notice the “early warning signs” of an emotional wave—the tightening of the jaw, the heat in the chest, the shallow breath—before the wave breaks.
2. Distress Tolerance (The TIPP Skills)
When your emotions are at a 10/10, you cannot use logic. We teach high-impact somatic resets to lower your physiological arousal immediately.
- Temperature: Using cold water to trigger the mammalian dive reflex.
- Intense Exercise: Expending the “fight/flight” energy.
- Paced Breathing: Engaging the vagus nerve.
3. Emotion Regulation (Naming and Taming)
We move into “top-down” strategies, learning how to identify the specific emotion, understand its “function” (what is it trying to tell you?), and check the facts to see if the emotion matches the current reality.
Mapping the Nervous System
We utilize Polyvagal Theory to help group members create a personal “map” of their states. This turns a scary, abstract experience into a manageable, biological one.
| The State | The Experience | The Group Strategy |
| Ventral Vagal | Safe, social, and connected. | Deepening: Learning to stay in this state longer. |
| Sympathetic | Fight, flight, or “The Rant.” | Grounding: Using weighted blankets or movement to find the “exit.” |
| Dorsal Vagal | Shut down, numb, or “The Fog.” | Activation: Using gentle sensory input to “thaw” the system. |
Why Group Work is the “Gold Standard” for Regulation
Individuals who struggle with regulation often feel deep shame or “otherness.” The group format is specifically designed to target these barriers:
- Universalization: Realizing that your “explosive” or “numb” responses are shared by others reduces the shame that fuels dysregulation.
- The Laboratory: You can practice setting boundaries or expressing needs in a safe environment before trying them in high-stakes relationships.
- Collective Accountability: Members support one another in using their “Skills Manual” during the week, celebrating small wins in regulation.
Group Logistics & Clinical Safety
To ensure an expert-level, productive environment:
- Facilitated by Specialists: Led by therapists with specific training in DBT and trauma-informed care.
- Pre-Group Screening: We ensure that every member is in a place where they can both give and receive support.
- Structured Content: This is not a “vent session”; it is a skills-training group with clear objectives and weekly “home-practice.”
Emotional regulation isn’t about becoming a robot. It’s about becoming a skilled surfer. The waves of life will always come, but you don’t have to be drowned by them. In this group, we give you a sturdier board and the community to help you stay upright until the water calms.
Finding Group Therapy in Tulsa, OK
Take the Wheel of Your Emotional Life.
If you are tired of your emotions dictating your behavior, your relationships, and your peace of mind, it is time for a professional intervention. Our Support Groups for Emotional Regulation at Cedar Tree Counseling in Tulsa, OK, offer the expert tools and peer community you need to reclaim your life.
Stop reacting and start responding. Contact Cedar Tree Counseling today to learn about our upcoming Emotional Regulation Group cohorts and schedule your pre-group intake.