The Embodied Advocate
By Dr. Kate Watson
Victim advocates play a crucial role in providing support, resources, and empowerment to survivors of trauma. However, this work can be emotionally and physically demanding, making it essential for advocates to cultivate embodiment—the practice of being fully present and attuned to one's body, emotions, and interactions. Embodiment not only helps advocates sustain their work but also enhances their ability to create a sense of safety and trust for survivors.
What is Embodiment in Advocacy?
Embodiment in advocacy means integrating awareness of one’s own physical, emotional, and psychological state into survivor interactions. It involves self-regulation, intentional presence, and nonverbal communication to ensure that advocates remain grounded and attuned while providing trauma-informed support.
By practicing embodiment, advocates can:
Maintain a calm and regulated presence to support survivors effectively.
Reduce the impact of secondary trauma and burnout.
Foster a sense of safety and connection through mindful communication.
Strengthen resilience and self-care in their advocacy practice.
Embodiment Practices for Victim Advocates
1. Grounding and Presence in Survivor Interactions
Before engaging with a survivor, an advocate can take a few deep breaths, plant their feet firmly on the ground, and check in with their emotions. During conversations, maintaining an open posture, steady eye contact (if appropriate), and an empathetic tone helps create a safe and supportive space.
2. Regulating Nervous System Responses
Advocates often hear difficult disclosures, which can activate their own stress responses. Recognizing tension in the body—tight shoulders, clenched jaw, shallow breathing—allows them to pause, take slow breaths, and relax their posture to stay engaged without absorbing trauma.
3. Co-Regulation to Support Survivors
When survivors feel overwhelmed, advocates can help regulate emotions by modeling a slow, steady breathing pattern and maintaining a warm, calm tone. If a survivor is dissociating, gentle grounding techniques like guiding them to notice their surroundings (e.g., “Can you feel your feet on the floor?”) can help them reconnect to the present moment.
4. Trauma-Informed Touch and Boundaries
Understanding that survivors may have complex relationships with physical touch, advocates should always ask before offering a comforting gesture, such as a hand on the shoulder. Respecting personal space and being mindful of nonverbal cues ensures that interactions remain empowering and trauma-sensitive.
5. Embodied Advocacy in Systemic Work
Advocates working in legal or medical settings may experience power imbalances that trigger stress responses. Before engaging in difficult conversations with professionals like law enforcement or hospital staff, taking a moment to ground themselves through deep breathing or mindful posture helps them advocate effectively without becoming reactive.
6. Embodied Self-Care and Burnout Prevention
Advocates must prioritize their well-being to sustain their work. Engaging in movement-based self-care—such as yoga, stretching, or walking—can release tension. Mindfulness or breathwork practices at the end of the day help transition out of advocacy mode and reconnect with personal life.
The Impact of Embodiment on Advocacy
Practicing embodiment benefits both advocates and survivors. By staying present, grounded, and regulated, advocates create an environment where survivors feel seen, heard, and supported. Additionally, embodiment helps advocates manage stress, prevent burnout, and sustain their ability to provide compassionate care in the long term.
For those in victim advocacy, embodiment is not just a practice—it’s a tool for resilience, connection, and effective support. By integrating these principles into their work, advocates can foster healing spaces for survivors while maintaining their own well-being.
Are you a victim advocate? What embodiment practices do you use in your work? Share your thoughts in the comments below!