Shifting Out of Shutdown
A Self-Paced Mini Course for Alchemizing Depression, Numbness, & Collapse
Many people living with depression aren’t sad —
they’re shut down.
Low energy.
Emotional numbness.
Disconnection from joy, creativity, and motivation.
A sense of being alive in theory, but not in the body.
From a nervous system perspective, this state is known as dorsal vagal shutdown — a protective response that occurs when overwhelm, loss, or chronic stress exceed our system’s capacity.
Shutdown is not a failure.
It’s your nervous system doing its best to keep you safe.
This self-paced mini course (that expands on the recent virtual workshop, Shifting Out of Shutdown) offers a gentle, evidence-based, and body-led approach to understanding and shifting out of shutdown — without forcing, fixing, or bypassing.
In This Mini Course, You’ll Learn:
What dorsal vagal shutdown is (through a polyvagal lens)
Why motivation, willpower, and “positive thinking” often don’t work
How depression and numbness function as nervous system protection
Somatic techniques that support a gradual return to sensation and aliveness
How to work with your body instead of against it
You’ll be guided through simple, accessible practices designed to:
Increase nervous system safety
Gently reintroduce sensation
Support regulation and orientation
Create small but meaningful shifts toward vitality
This mini course blends:
Polyvagal theory
Somatic and nervous system–based practices
Trauma- and depression-informed care
Grounded, compassionate facilitation
This Mini Course Is For You If:
You experience depression, numbness, or chronic fatigue
You feel disconnected from joy, creativity, or desire
You’ve tried talk therapy or self-help but still feel stuck
You want tools that meet the body, not just the mind
You’re curious about a gentler path back to aliveness
What to Expect:
Short, digestible videos that you can watch at your own pace
Education + embodied practice
Life-long access
You don’t need prior experience with somatics or nervous system work — just a willingness to meet yourself where you are.
About the Facilitator
Mia Becker is a somatic practitioner and nervous system–informed facilitator who works with sensitive, creative humans experiencing depression, shutdown, and loss of aliveness.
Her work bridges nervous system science, embodied practice, and compassionate presence to support sustainable, body-led healing.
“I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Mia. She helped me stay present during a very stressful season of life and I’ll be able to use the techniques she taught me for years to come!”
—Liz Maker