GroundingAnchor

A grounding component for language awareness and deautomatization practices. Provides step-by-step guided grounding when users need to return to ordinary awareness. Includes both the quick Pocket Exit protocol and the full Reintegration Ritual.

Key Design Decisions

• Always accessible: Available at any point during a practice session
• Two modes: Quick grounding (Pocket Exit) and full grounding (Reintegration Ritual)
• Multi-sensory: Combines touch, sight, breath, speech for reliable grounding
• Not dismissable during active practice: Remains available until language feels normal
• Calm, non-urgent tone: Grounding is a return, not an emergency

Grounding Protocols

Pocket Exit (Quick — 30 seconds)

Step	Instruction	Sense
1	Tongue tip to roof of mouth, behind front teeth	Touch
2	Left thumb to sternum center, press lightly	Touch
3	Breathe: in for 4 heartbeats, out for 6	Breath
4	Look at nearest object — name it deliberately	Sight + Speech
5	Say one useful number aloud	Speech + Cognition

Reintegration Ritual (Full — 2-3 minutes)

Step	Instruction	Sense
1	Open both eyes wide	Sight
2	Wiggle toes, stretch fingers into unfamiliar shapes	Movement
3	Touch the back of your neck	Touch
4	Name 5 things you see, 4 you touch, 3 you hear	Multi-sensory
5	Say one useful number aloud	Speech + Cognition
6	Wait until language feels normal before moving on	Self-check

Props

interface GroundingAnchorProps {
  mode: 'pocket-exit' | 'reintegration' | 'auto';
  onComplete?: () => void;
  onStepChange?: (step: number, total: number) => void;
  autoAdvance?: boolean;         // Auto-advance between steps
  stepDuration?: number;         // Seconds per step if auto-advancing
  showProgress?: boolean;        // Show step progress indicator
  size?: 'compact' | 'full';    // Compact for floating, full for dedicated view
  audioGuided?: boolean;         // Audio instructions for each step
}

Usage

Floating Emergency Button

<GroundingAnchor
  mode="pocket-exit"
  size="compact"
  onComplete={() => setGrounded(true)}
/>

Full-Screen Return Protocol

<GroundingAnchor
  mode="reintegration"
  size="full"
  autoAdvance={true}
  stepDuration={20}
  audioGuided={true}
  onComplete={() => navigateToSafety()}
/>

Auto-Select Based on Context

<GroundingAnchor
  mode="auto"  // Uses pocket-exit for mild, reintegration for strong disorientation
  onComplete={() => resumeOrExit()}
/>

Accessibility

• Large touch targets (minimum 48px)
• High contrast text and indicators
• Screen reader step-by-step narration
• Works with eyes closed (audio mode)
• No reliance on color alone for progress

Integration with Language Awareness

This component is designed to pair with language awareness practice tools:

• Before practice: Teach the Pocket Exit as preparation
• During practice: Float as emergency return button
• After practice: Run full grounding return sequence
• If distressed: Auto-triggers full Reintegration Ritual

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"Grounding is not failure — it's the bridge back to ordinary awareness."