Reach | The 3rd Neurocellular Pattern

Hi there,

I’m back today with the 3rd neurocellular pattern in our mind-body mini series, and how that clinically presents in a client. 

The 3rd pattern is reach. 

This is when an infant reaches for their mother, trying to connect. It’s when a baby’s arms are outstretched to the parent, or it can be their eyes seeking loving eye contact.

When that reach is denied, overlooked, or dismissed it can cause dysfunction in that neurocellular pattern. 
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Reach comes after yield and push– because you need to have the ability to safely be, and the knowledge of where you start and end, before you can reach out in a healthy way to others. A poor yield and push often causes someone to struggle with too much reach.

When reach comes across as being "Needy"

In these instances they may come across "needy" or "graspy" because they are reaching from fear-based versus self-based. 

This presents as reaching out, but with desperation and neediness, instead of a healthy desire to connect. You might see this in a client who overextends themselves, or struggles with martyrdom, or obsessiveness.  

A dysfunctional reach may also present as disinterest in connection, altogether.

An unhealthy reach can also result in a lack of reach.
This is when someone is withdrawn, lethargic, and shuts down anyone who reaches to them. 

A client who presents with reach struggles often needs to restore both yield and push before they can address and rehabilitate their reach pattern.

In the next email, we’ll talk about the final 2 neurocellular patterns and how they present in clients in therapy.  

To health and healing, 

Esther 

P.S. How is this series resonating with you?

If you’re enjoying it, feel free to check out my upcoming Trauma Therapy Cohort and see if it might be a fit for you.