The Pyramid of Healing – Why Healing in Order Matters
Episode 86: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
View transcript on Buzzsprout
Have you ever felt like healing is a total mystery? Like everyone says “just do the work” but no one tells you what that actually looks like—or in what order to do it? This episode brings structure to the chaos. Amanda introduces the Pyramid of Healing—a 4-phase trauma-informed framework that outlines the natural order our nervous system needs to heal and grow. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure why certain approaches haven’t worked for you, this episode is a must-listen.
What We Cover in This Episode
- The 4 phases of the Pyramid of Healing and what each entails
- Why doing trauma work out of order can stall or backfire your healing
- Real-life examples that show how pacing and sequencing create results
- How to recognize where you are in the healing cycle
Why Order Matters in Healing
Healing is not random—it follows a sequence that matches how our nervous system is wired. Amanda explains why trying to dive into deep trauma work before you’ve stabilized can be like lifting weights with a torn muscle. Through both analogy and science, she breaks down what each phase of healing includes and why honoring the order of these phases can prevent overwhelm and setbacks.
The 4 Phases of the Pyramid of Healing
Phase 1: Education & Awareness
This foundational phase helps you understand how your nervous system works and begin building a relationship with your own unique patterns. It’s not about changing symptoms—it’s about learning to see them differently. Amanda explains why this shift in perception alone can bring immediate relief and how it lays the groundwork for everything else.
Phase 2: Regulation
Once you’ve built awareness, the next step is learning how to regulate. Amanda shares her three guiding questions for nervous system regulation and explains how clients build stability through toolkits, pendulation, and real-time strategies. This phase creates the safety and capacity needed for deeper healing.
Phase 3: Rewiring
Now comes the deeper work: trauma reprocessing, belief work, unburdening wounded parts. But without capacity from the first two phases, this work can overload the system. Amanda outlines how rewiring creates new neural pathways—but only when the system is ready.
Phase 4: Resourcing
This phase includes both maintenance and expansion. You’ve built a new baseline—and now you either keep going with supportive practices or push your limits to grow stronger and more resilient. Amanda shares ways to test your nervous system gently and continue integrating past healing.
Healing Is Cyclical, Not Linear
Amanda closes by reminding us that these phases aren’t a ladder—they’re a cycle. Life will throw you curveballs that bring you back to phase one, and that’s not failure—it’s simply part of being human. The more you cycle through these phases, the more resourced and confident you become.
Three Tangible Takeaways
- Follow the sequence: Skipping straight to trauma work without capacity can stall progress. Start with education and regulation.
- Regulation first, always: Cultivating a felt sense of safety gives your system room to do the harder healing work later.
- You’ll cycle through again: Healing is not a straight line. With every round through the phases, you gain strength and ease.
Looking for more personalized support?
- Book a FREE discovery call for RESTORE, our 1:1 anxiety & depression coaching program (HSA/FSA eligible & includes comprehensive bloodwork)
- Join me inside the Regulated Living Membership, a mental health membership and nervous system healing space (sliding scale pricing available)
- Join my Release Class – Monthly guided nervous system regulation class
- Order my book, Healing Through the Vagus Nerve today!
- Download free resources here
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
