Carolyn Barnes (she),
Clinical Hypnotherapist (C. Ht.)
Carolyn Barnes, C.Ht., is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Somatic Specialist at Refine Recovery and the founder of the STOP IT™ Method. She specializes in nervous‑system regulation, trauma‑informed care, and identity‑based behavioral change for individuals experiencing anxiety, overthinking, emotional dysregulation, compulsive patterns, and stress‑driven behaviors.
Carolyn integrates trauma‑informed Ericksonian hypnotherapy, somatic tracking, interoceptive awareness, parts‑informed approaches, NLP, and bottom‑up regulation techniques to help clients interrupt survival responses, build distress tolerance, and restore access to choice. She also facilitates groups and trainings that teach practical, body‑based tools for reducing rumination and supporting nervous‑system regulation.
Her previous work includes delivering wellness programs and trainings for organizations such as the American Heart Association, Wells Fargo, and Citizens Bank. She has also appeared as a health expert on national media programs.
When Clients Overthink: Teaching Interoception And Titration To Interrupt Rumination In Therapy
Many clinicians recognize the client who becomes caught in cycles of overthinking, moving from one worry or narrative thread to another despite attempts to redirect the conversation. While rumination is often addressed as a cognitive problem, many clients engage in these loops when their nervous system is activated and they lack the capacity to remain with emotional sensation. When this occurs, insight alone may not interrupt the cycle.
This presentation reframes rumination and overthinking as nervous-system events rather than signs of resistance or lack of insight. Participants will explore how cognitive rumination can function as an attempt to regulate distress when clients are unable to tolerate internal sensations. By understanding rumination through a physiological lens, clinicians can recognize when cognitive approaches alone may be insufficient and when regulation-based interventions are needed.
Participants will be introduced to the core concepts of interoception and titration as foundational skills for working with dysregulation in therapy. Interoception supports a client’s ability to notice and track internal bodily sensations, while titration provides a structured way to pace emotional activation and prevent overwhelm. Together, these approaches help clients shift attention from narrative processing toward embodied awareness.
An experiential exercise will guide participants through noticing a familiar thought pattern and observing the body’s response to activation. Through this demonstration, clinicians will experience how shifting attention from story to sensation can interrupt rumination and support nervous-system regulation.
The presentation concludes with practical in-session strategies clinicians can use to help clients track activation without flooding. Participants will learn somatic pacing techniques and methods for guiding clients toward manageable bodily sensations, supporting the development of emotional capacity before engaging in deeper therapeutic processing.
Where you can see my presentation:
California Pathways to Practice Symposium
Friday, September 25, 2026
9:15-10:45 am
This event is intended to be accessible to all. If financial barriers would otherwise prevent your attendance, please reach out to Robyn@alignedcarecenter.com to discuss financial accommodations. For other accommodations, please click here for more information.
We extend our gratitude to our sponsors for making it possible for us to compensate the speaker and make this event accessible. ​