Author Lauren Tobey Reframes Trauma and Burnout in New Book

Spiraling into Control blends memoir and neuroscience to explain emotional numbness and survival mode

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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In her debut book "Spiraling into Control", author Lauren Tobey delivers a bold and timely memoir that reframes trauma not as catastrophe, but as adaptation. Blending lived experience with accessible neuroscience, Tobey explores what happens when high-functioning women mistake emotional shutdown for maturity, and how reclaiming identity begins with understanding the nervous system.

Why it matters

At a time when conversations about trauma are louder than ever, Tobey's book cuts through oversimplified narratives. She argues that trauma is not defined solely by dramatic events, but by how the body adapts to prolonged stress, emotional volatility, and subtle self-erasure - issues that many high-functioning women struggle with but are often overlooked.

The details

Structured around a four-part framework - Ashes, Ember, Flame, and Rise - the book traces Tobey's journey from a decade of emotional numbness within marriage, to destabilizing awareness, to nervous system collapse during the 2020 lockdown, and ultimately toward self-reclamation. Throughout, Tobey introduces readers to concepts like dorsal vagal shutdown, allostatic load, and neuroception in accessible language, dismantling 'The Trauma Myth' and expanding the definition to include chronic stress, relational coercion, and the invisible toll of being 'the responsible one'.

  • Spiraling into Control was published on March 7, 2026.

The players

Lauren Tobey

The author of Spiraling into Control, a trauma-informed coach who created the Phoenix Rising framework after her own nervous system collapse in 2020. She has degrees in psychology and adult learning.

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What they’re saying

“Numbness isn't calm, it's containment. And containment has limits.”

— Lauren Tobey (EINPresswire.com)

What’s next

Spiraling Into Control is now available in hardcover, ebook, and paperback formats on Amazon.

The takeaway

Tobey's book offers a nuanced perspective on trauma and burnout, moving beyond simplistic narratives to emphasize nervous system literacy. Rather than encouraging readers to 'try harder,' the book aims to help high-functioning women understand how their bodies have adapted to survive, as a first step toward reclaiming their identities.