In this episode, we continue our exploration of the application of the Brainspotting modality. Brainspotting is a modality discovered by Dr. David Grand. Please visit www.brainspotting.com to learn more. Our guest, Deb Antinori, discusses the neuroscience involved in our reactions to the COVID19 crisis. Here are the five mantras from this episode: Mantra #1: Be gentle with yourself Mantra #2: We are in a state of existential trauma Mantra #3: The COVID19 disruption affects where we function in terms of the three parts of the brain (survival, homeostasis, restoration). These brain parts interact with the HPA axis and affect cortisol levels. Cortisol levels can affect the hippocampus and thus memory. So if you are not feeling at the top of your game mentally right now, there is a neuroscientific explanation. Return to Mantra #1 and Be gentle with yourself. Mantra #4: Learn to calm your alarm states during the COVID19 crisis. (Refer to healing techniques and the need for contemplative states in this interview with Dr. Mario Martinez: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUOGxJ97gkI&t=464s). Mantra #5: Our assumptive world has been turned on its head. It is normal to feel the need to grieve the loss of this known world. More about Deb Antinori: Deborah Antinori, MA, LPC, FT, RDT is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 29 years in private practice. She is a Brainspotting Trainer and Certified Consultant. She has been using Brainspotting since its inception in 2003 as she met the developer of Brainspotting, David Grand, in the late ’90s when he was her supervisor. As a grief therapist, Deborah holds her FT, Fellow in Thanatology, from the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Deborah is the author and narrator of the double award-winning audiobook, Journey Through Pet Loss. She is a master’s graduate of NYU’s Drama Therapy Dept. Originally an actress, she earned her BFA from the Boston Conservatory of Music and is still in the professional actor’s unions, AEA and SAG/AFTRA. She has begun work on a Ph.D. through the International University for Graduate Studies and is hoping to be able to get to Innsbruck for an EEG study on Brainspotting for her Ph.D. when the travel bans are lifted. LINKS: www.Petlossaudio.com www.brainspotting.com