Interview Kees Klesman in BalansPortal
Recovery begins only when nervous system signals ‘safe’
The vast majority of psychosocial problems with which people turn to social workers have their origins in past traumas left behind as survival reactions in the nervous system. ‘Old’ survival strategies will repeat themselves at times similar to ‘danger of the past’ until the end of time. Unless that “blueprint” is removed.
BodyMind coach Kees Klesman specializes in in-depth treatment of the dysregulated nervous system, which he considers “the basis of everything. With a combination of loving attention, breathing and appropriate touch as in a massage, he helps restore balance and gives his client more control over his/her body and existence. Awareness of how the nervous system works is an important part of his approach.
Dealing with unsafe situations
Kees: “Every person has had to deal with unsafe situations during their life. The natural, bodily response then is to run away, push away or fight. If that does not work, for example if it is a dependent child, our BodyMind finds a temporary solution to an otherwise untenable situation.
Thus, something that is “not normal” (for example, a father with loose hands) is perceived as “acceptable” and stored in the nervous system as “love,” for example. This is an autonomous survival response of your body. This forms the basis for a trauma or wound that will almost certainly rear its head at some point over the years and can then cause all sorts of unpleasant symptoms.”
All problems can be traced to the nervous system
Kees: “In my practice, I see that almost all problems can be traced to the nervous system. That is the foundation. Most traumas are suffered in childhood. Through my approach, I teach you to rebalance your body, especially the nervous system, so that it no longer over-reacts to a past threat. Using psychoeducation, I help you understand how the nervous system works so that you can take the wheel to navigate yourself between different survival strategies. The goal is to feel reconnected with yourself and safe in your body. Only then will healing take place and the self-healing capacity of the BodyMind be activated. That is the core of my approach, which is based in part on research by American neurologist Stephen Porges.”
His treatments combining conscious breathing with along, deep massage can address a variety of problems such as insomnia, burnout, relationship problems, panic attacks and also sometimes chronic physical complaints.
Taking matters into your own hands
“Through a brief conversation, I work with you to create a plan of recovery depending on where the shoe pinches. Together we map out how your survival strategies express themselves, including which signals of safety and danger are active. And exercises often follow. Homework, in other words. It does not happen by itself. Because it’s hard work, so that eventually you can take control again. I help you take control of your life again.”
“Slowly but surely, survival reactions will reverse through small changes made in the BodyMind,” Kees continued. This is a personal process in which your “inner world” adapts. Once the nervous system returns to the “safe” signal, the “outside world will be experienced differently. Only then will thoughts, feelings, energy levels and your contact with others change substantially.
It is an exciting and, above all, rewarding process.”