The Window of Tolerance

The Window of Tolerance

Understanding a useful clinical framework for changes in arousal and regulation

The Window of Tolerance is commonly used in trauma-informed practice to describe a range of arousal within which a person may be better able to think, communicate, process information and respond flexibly.

This resource explores the framework alongside important cautions about treating it as a literal neurological measurement.

It includes:

• The Window of Tolerance concept
• Hyperarousal
• Hypoarousal
• Individual variation
• Recognising changes in arousal
• Regulation and co-regulation
• Sensory and environmental influences
• Expanding capacity over time
• Using the model without overinterpreting behaviour

A practical way of understanding changing states of arousal while keeping the underlying science appropriately nuanced.

Space to Breathe Therapy