We recently connected with Chris Causey and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chris , so happy to have you with us today and there is so much we want to ask you about. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others developed certain skills or qualities that we are struggling with can be helpful. Along those lines, we’d love to hear from you about how you developed your ability to take risk?
I didn’t develop my ability to take risks overnight. In fact, I spent much of my career in environments that offered security—first as a counselor within a large HMO and later running my own private practice. But stepping out on my own was my first major leap. Leaving the safety of a well-established organization and a regular paycheck with benefits to build something from the ground up taught me that while risk can feel unsettling, it isn’t necessarily danger.
When I founded BluLateral in my late 50s, it wasn’t because I was seeking risk—it was out of necessity. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed counseling online, and I saw a need that wasn’t being met. I followed my intuition and took a chance on something new, using technology and terminology with which I was unfamiliar.
That has become a pattern in my life. As someone in long-term recovery—38 years sober from alcohol last month—I’ve learned that progress requires action, even when outcomes are uncertain. You take the next step, not because you’re guaranteed success, but because there’s an opportunity to move forward and continuing the status quo is no longer sustainable. BluLateral was a company and a technology whose time had arrived, and I was to be the one to bring in into the existence.
I also credit my interest in secular Buddha dharma for shaping how I relate to risk. I am learning that fear and uncertainty are part of life, but they don’t have to dictate my choices. I’ve come to understand that while risk may be uncomfortable, it’s not necessarily dangerous. That mindset has helped me trust my instincts—letting intuition and purpose guide me rather than fear.
At the end of the day, risk-taking isn’t about being fearless; it’s about moving forward despite fear. I don’t take reckless chances, but I do follow my heart. That’s what led me to BluLateral, and it’s what keeps me pushing forward even now.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the founder of BluLateral, a company that creates innovative bilateral stimulation (BLS) devices to help people regulate stress, reduce PTSD symptoms, and enhance emotional resilience. Our flagship product, BluLateral Wireless Stones, is a first-of-its-kind wireless, app-controlled, handheld BLS device that allows therapists to provide this powerful therapy remotely or in person—even with groups of up to 50 people at once. This fully patented system is unique in the market and has been a game-changer for EMDR clinicians and trauma professionals worldwide.
What excites me most about this work is its impact. I’ve spent decades in trauma and addiction recovery, and I know firsthand how hard it is for people to access effective tools for emotional regulation. BluLateral removes barriers and puts these tools directly in the hands of professionals and individuals who need them most. We’re at a point where mental health technology is evolving rapidly, and I believe BLS is one of the most underrated but powerful tools available for nervous system regulation.
As for what’s new, I’m working on a next-generation wearable patch. It’s an ambitious project, but I believe this technology could be a major step toward helping military personnel, first responders, and high-stress professionals regulate their nervous systems with little or no intervention on their part. More to come on this!
At its core, BluLateral is about helping people stay regulated and resilient, whether that’s in therapy, on the battlefield, or in daily life. I want to make tools that work in real time, when people actually need them—not just when they’re sitting in a counseling session. That’s what drives me, and that’s what BluLateral is all about.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, three key qualities have been the most impactful in my journey:
1. Resilience & Adaptability
Life doesn’t follow a straight path, and neither does business. Whether it was leaving the security of a large HMO to start my own practice, staying sober for 38 years, or pivoting my business when new challenges arose, I’ve learned that the ability to adapt and push forward despite uncertainty is critical. Resilience isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about learning, adapting, and keeping momentum even when things don’t go as planned.
Practice seeing obstacles as problems to solve, not reasons to quit.
Develop a mindset that embraces discomfort—growth happens when you’re outside your comfort zone.
Build a strong support system—mentors, friends, colleagues—who help you stay the course and can call you on your BS!
2. Trusting Intuition & Taking Action
I don’t make decisions based on rigid five-year plans. I follow my gut and my heart, and I take action even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. When I started BluLateral in my late 50s, I didn’t have a roadmap—I had a need I saw in the world and a willingness to act on it. I only needed to see down the road a little, not the entire journey! Risk is not the same as danger, and one of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until they feel 100% ready. You’ll never feel fully ready. Start anyway.
Learn to trust your instincts—they get sharper with experience.
Take small, calculated risks to build confidence in your decision-making.
Understand that no one has it all figured out—the difference between success and stagnation is action.
3. Deep Understanding of People & Systems
I’ve spent my professional life working in trauma and mental health—fields that require a deep understanding of human behavior. I routinely see folks when they are at their worse…..(Think about it, people don’t call a therapist when they win the lottery!) That experience has been invaluable in business. Whether it’s knowing how to communicate a vision, connect with the right people, or design a product that truly helps others, understanding how people think, feel, and make decisions has shaped every part of my journey.
Learn how to listen deeply—to your clients, customers, and the market.
Study human behavior—whether through psychology, leadership, or direct experience.
Approach business as solving real problems for real people, not just selling a product.
At the end of the day, business, leadership, and personal growth are all about the same thing—how you handle uncertainty, how you show up, and how well you understand people. If you can develop those three things, you’ll be ahead of most.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Right now, I’m particularly interested in connecting with:
Engineers & Researchers – Especially those with expertise in biomedical engineering, wearable technology. If you have expertise in hardware development, or sensor technology, I’d love to talk!
Mental Health & Performance Professionals – Therapists, EMDR clinicians, military psychologists, first responder support specialists, and performance coaches who are looking for innovative ways to enhance emotional regulation, trauma recovery, and peak performance. If you’re interested in integrating BluLateral Wireless Stones or the upcoming wearable patch into your work, I’d love to collaborate.
Military, Government, & High-Stress Professions – I’m particularly focused on bringing nervous system regulation tools to military personnel, first responders, and high-performance professionals. If you work in a leadership role within these sectors and are looking for scalable, field-ready solutions for stress resilience, let’s connect.
Investors & Strategic Partners – I’m scaling BluLateral and developing new technology. If you’re an investor or organization aligned with neuroscience-driven mental health solutions, I’d love to explore funding or partnership opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blulateral.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blulateral?igsh=ZjY0ZXRxY3B2MnVm
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-causey-a069b12a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
