When cats are scared, they might hide under the bed. If you try to pull them out abruptly, they will lash out, but if you give them enough time to feel safe, they will come out on their own. People are much the same; when we experience trauma, we may want to hide and may not want to talk about it suddenly. However, unlike cats, humans can use their imagination—much like virtual reality—to experience different sensations within their bodies. Just as we can during or after a traumatic event, we can use our imagination to briefly experience a sense of safety. Laurel Parnell, Ph.D., an EMDR expert, points out that we can imagine a protective figure to experience a protective quality, allowing ourselves to calm down. When you close your eyes and imagine people, things, animals, or spiritual figures that make you feel safe, what changes do you notice in your body?