A Play Therapists Go-To Book for Anxiety and Dysregulation: Hey Warrior!

​Do you have the book Hey Warrior?
 
Well… if you know, you know and you can feel free to skip through this post. 
 
BUT if this book isn’t in your collection I wanted to share the 5 reasons it is an absolute must for play therapists for emotional regulation! 

It breaks down polyvagal theory 
 
Like in a really digestible way, from the trigger, thoughts, sensations, and resulting reactions.  And I find that when kids know exactly why you are asking them to do all these emotional regulation skills and deep breathing jazz, then they are significantly more likely to actually do it.  
 
It normalizes anxiety and stress 
 
It helps kids see that anxiety and the stress response are as normal a part of life as breathing itself.  Normalizing mental health difficulties helps us get away from the stigmatization that can happen or (especially for kids with trauma) the belief that these responses are their fault.  
 
It gives kids a common language for anxiety and stress reactions 

The book holds your hand through not only the thought process of what it is like to have anxiety and anger, but also the very real physiological symptoms like feeling foggy, having stomach aches, and a racing heart. Once they start understanding why their bodies are doing what they are doing, they can start acknowledging and naming it in the here and now when the responses are unfolding. 
 
It holds a validating and compassionate view of big behaviors
 
Oftentimes kids who have anger can hear messages about their behavior such as they are “bad kids” or “aren’t trying”.  And while some of their behaviors may not be so helpful, when we understand behaviors in the context of polyvagal theory and the fight/flight/freeze response we can begin to understand that there is a part of the child that is trying to protect themselves and feel safe, and the only solution they may have at the time is an angry or destructive one.  

I cannot tell you how many times I read this to a child with anger and see their shame and anger towards themselves melt away as they come to a new understanding of what is happening inside of their bodies and why they might do the things they do! 
 
It empowers kids to move forward 
 
After kids understand what is happening in their body when the stress response takes over and why it might happen, this book then gives several concrete solutions and ideas of how to move forward including self talk and regulation activities like breathing and grounding. 
 
If you don’t already have the book Hey Warrior! Consider adding it to your collection! I promise - you won’t regret it! 
 
Want more ideas like this for emotional regulation with kids?  Check out my course Keep Calm and Regulate On: Play Therapy and the Neuroscience of Emotional Regulation! 



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