Sample Resource · Trauma-Informed Collection

Window of Tolerance Map

A shared clinician-client reference for understanding nervous system states — and how to navigate them in session. This is a preview of what's inside Clarity.

Trauma-informed Client + Clinician Printable Telehealth-ready Core tier
window-of-tolerance-map.html
Clarity · Trauma-Informed Collection · Client + Clinician Reference

Window of Tolerance Map

"A shared reference for understanding where you are — and how to find your way back to center."

Your nervous system moves through different states depending on what it perceives as safe or threatening. The goal of trauma-informed work isn't to eliminate all activation — it's to expand the window where you can actually process and heal.

Hyperarousal — too much coming in
Above your window
Racing thoughts Panic Hypervigilance Heart racing
Window of Tolerance — where healing happens
Present and able to process
Present and grounded Able to name feelings Curious, not flooded
Hypoarousal — shutdown
Below your window
Emotional flatness Dissociation Blank mind

The full document includes a clinician note on using this map in session, a real-time check-in section with reflection prompts and write-in lines, and guidance for grounding clients who arrive below their window.

For clients with complex trauma, even naming which zone they are in at the start of session is a meaningful clinical moment. The map gives them shared language — and shared language is the beginning of co-regulation.

🔒
This resource is part of Clarity

The Window of Tolerance Map — plus 40+ more original clinical tools — is available to Core and Full Access subscribers.

Subscribe to unlock — from $9/mo Compare plans
Ready to build your toolkit?

Your clients deserve resources
as thoughtful as you are.

40+ original clinical handouts, session guides, and worksheets — organized by specialty. New resources every quarter.

Start your Clarity subscription →