TRE™

TRE™ (Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises) is a body-based self-regulation practice designed to support the nervous system in releasing excess stress and tension.

TRE™ uses a series of gentle, guided exercises to activate the body’s natural tremor response. These neurogenic tremors are an innate mechanism present in all humans, helping the body process stress, regulate and return toward balance.

TRE™ does not require talking about past experiences or trauma. Instead, it works directly with the body and nervous system in a gradual, safe way.

How TRE™ Works

When we experience stress - whether from daily pressures, emotional strain, or prolonged overwhelm - the nervous system may remain in a heightened state of activation. Over time, this can lead to chronic muscle tension, fatigue, anxiety, or a sense of being constantly “on edge.”

TRE™ supports the nervous system by:

  • Gently activating the body’s natural tremor response

  • Allowing tension to be released at a pace the body can tolerate

  • Supporting a return toward greater regulation and flexibility

Throughout a TRE™ session, the process is guided, paused when needed, and adjusted according to your nervous system’s capacity. You remain in control at all times.

TRE™ is taught as a self-regulation practice, empowering individuals to build body awareness and learn how to support their own nervous system safely.

Potential Benefits of TRE™

People may experience a range of benefits from regular TRE™ practice. These can vary from person to person and often develop gradually over time.

Potential benefits may include:

  • Reduced baseline stress and physical tension

  • Improved nervous system regulation

  • Increased body awareness and grounding

  • Greater emotional steadiness and resilience

  • Improved sleep and recovery

  • Enhanced capacity to cope with everyday stress

TRE™ is not a treatment or cure, but a supportive practice that works alongside the body’s natural regulatory processes.

Who Can Benefit from TRE™?

TRE™ may be supportive for individuals experiencing:

  • Ongoing stress or tension

  • Anxiety or nervous system overwhelm

  • Burnout or emotional fatigue

  • Difficulty relaxing or switching off

  • High levels of daily or work-related stress

TRE™ is suitable for many people and can be adapted to individual needs. It is offered within a trauma-informed framework, where safety, choice, and pacing are prioritised.

If you are currently working with a mental health professional or managing trauma, TRE™ can be used alongside existing support, when appropriate.

TRE™ Sessions & Counselling

As a Registered Counsellor and Certified TRE™ Provider, I am able to offer TRE™ in two ways:

TRE™ as a Standalone Practice

TRE™ sessions can be offered without a counselling component, focusing purely on:

  • Nervous system regulation

  • Stress release

  • Learning the TRE™ process in a guided, supportive environment

These sessions are educational and body-based, and do not involve counselling.

Integrating TRE™ into Counselling

For clients already engaged in counselling with me, TRE™ can be integrated into counselling sessions where appropriate. This allows for a holistic approach that supports both:

  • Emotional processing (through counselling), and

  • Physiological regulation (through TRE™)

The use of TRE™ is always guided by your needs, capacity, and therapeutic goals.

Dedicated somatic counselling area prepared for body-centered tremor work and co-regulation
Dedicated somatic counselling area prepared for body-centered tremor work and co-regulation
Person guided through tension releasing exercises on a floor mat to discharge stored physical stress
Person guided through tension releasing exercises on a floor mat to discharge stored physical stress
Person performing a gentle leg stretch on a mat as part of the TRE stress exercise series
Person performing a gentle leg stretch on a mat as part of the TRE stress exercise series
Participants on mats engaging in guided tension and trauma releasing exercises for anxiety relief
Participants on mats engaging in guided tension and trauma releasing exercises for anxiety relief
Schedule A Session

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a TRE™ Session?

A standard individual TRE™ session lasts 50 minutes. This provides ample time for a gentle check-in, guiding you through the simple movement series to evoke the natural neurogenic tremoring response, resting and integrating afterwards, and discussing practical ways to safely self-regulate your practice at home.

What should I wear or bring to a session?

Clothing: Wear comfortable, loose, or stretchy clothing that allows you to move freely and lie down comfortably on a mat (e.g., yoga pants, sweatpants, or soft t-shirts).

Footwear: We usually practise in socks or bare feet.

What to bring: All mats and pillows are provided in the room, but you are welcome to bring a water bottle and a light jacket or warm layer for the integration and rest period.

Must I be physically fit or flexible to do TRE™ ?

Not at all. The initial sequence of simple exercises is designed to gently fatigue specific muscle groups, and every exercise can be modified or adapted to suit your current mobility, body type, energy levels, or physical limitations. TRE™ is not a workout; the focus is entirely on listening to your body and working comfortably within your physical boundaries.

What if I feel nervous or anxious about my body shaking?

Feeling a little hesitant or nervous before experiencing TRE™ for the first time is completely normal. Shaking is often misunderstood as a sign of weakness or fear, but in TRE™, neurogenic tremors are a natural, safe physiological mechanism designed to discharge tension. You remain fully conscious and in control throughout the entire process, and we focus heavily on self-regulation, teaching you how to start, slow down, or pause the tremors whenever you choose.

Are there any physical or medical exclusions for TRE™ ?

Because TRE™ activates the body's natural autonomic nervous system responses, there are a few physical and physiological considerations where TRE™ may need to be adapted or delayed:

Recent Surgery or Acute Injuries: It is best to allow physical tissues to heal fully before initiating tremoring.

Pregnancy: TRE™ is generally not recommended during pregnancy unless under specific specialized guidance.

Uncontrolled Blood Pressure or Cardiovascular Conditions: These require prior medical clearance.

During our initial intake, we will review your health background together to ensure TRE™ is safe and appropriate for you.

How long is each session and how much does it cost?
Session Duration: Standard individual sessions run for 50 minutes.

Rates: Session fees are R700.00 per 50 min session. I am contracted with several medical aids, and while sessions require payment on the day I will provide the correct invoice for you to submit to your medical aid (should you have applicable cover). Sessions with Registered Counsellors are drawn from the medical savings portion of your medical aid.

Get in touch

Address

6 Oak Lane, Newlands, Cape Town

Contact

072 093 7205
taracounsels@gmail.com