Neuroception is a subconscious system that detects threats and safety in situations and with people. It distinguishes safe, dangerous, and life-threatening circumstances outside of conscious awareness based on external and internal cues. Faulty neuroception can cause one to perceive danger in safe environments or miss risks. Neuroceptive safety is entirely personal and influences how individuals perceive everything when not feeling secure. Building connection requires focusing on regulation and relationships rather than agenda and approval.

1. the Psychology+neurobiology
of Interviewing
Claire Griffy, LPC

3. Job interviews
Presentations
leading a meeting
First dates
Networking
Performance reviews

4. Neuroception
• A subconscious system for detecting threats and safety
• Neuroception describes how neural circuits distinguish whether situations or people are safe,
dangerous, or life-threatening
• Outside of conscious awareness
• Neuroception of danger can happen in response to the external environment (person,
situation) or internal environment (pain, body sensation)
• Faulty neuroception: inability to inhibit defense in safe environment or activate defense in a
risky environment

5. It’s all relative!
• Neuroceptive safety is entirely relative to the individual
• Our perception is influenced by a sense of safety
• When we aren't in neuroceptive safety: this feeling means
everything about everything
• KNOW THYSELF

6. Connection and Bonding
Play
Rest and Digest
Warning: Agenda and Judgment
Fight and Flight
Collapse
Safety
Danger
VVC
VVC
SNS
DVC
SNS
DVC

8. Warning!
Precedes fight/flight
Social + verbal versions of moving toward + away
We are not available for connection and bonding
We are limited to fixing and judging
No longer curious
Fitting in over belonging

9. Final words…
focus on REGULation+relationship
instead of Agenda+approval