Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a trauma processing psychotherapy developed by Frank Corrigan MD, FRCPsych, grounded in the understanding of how trauma and past unmet needs affect the mid-brain. The goal of DBR is in helping to release the brain’s innate potential to heal, by getting to the root of the shock and pain that has accumulated over the years.
Although this form of therapy may include some initial discussion about the events and the emotions/affects you experienced in a relational way, the work is mainly non-verbal as we engage the midbrain in processing. There is a collaborative and slowed down awareness to find the origin of the body’s response to a traumatic event, often through a recent trigger, to find the shock and pain that is there, even before our story about it or the high states of alarm can be felt. We use the knowledge of brainstem processes to identify how the body responded immediately to the traumatic incident/the moment of unmet need, and to identify the shock which occurred and has since been stuck.
Without this understanding of the midbrain and this grounded, focused, and deliberate attention, we can miss the moment of shock allowing the distress to continue. The shock that is underlying our trauma can act like hot coals, igniting our pain, emotions and defenses when something gets too close to it.
This work is done well in person as well as in online sessions where you can be comfortable in your own environment, safe in your own space, and without any need to travel after the session. The work can be very grounding, and our aim is to establish emotional regulation and process through the difficult material your brain already has access to in the present, at a pace you are comfortable with. If the processing feels too intense or is in any way overwhelming, we will gently stop and you will be shown how to ground and take care of yourself both inside and outside of sessions.
While this work aims to provide relief from trauma that has been burdening your life, we may not always be able to process a whole event in a single session. We will determine a good place to start at the beginning of each session and aim to work systematically through the shock, pain, emotions and defenses/dissociative experiences that may come up.
Start Deep Brain Reorienting in Mesa, AZ Today
Do you have a traumatic event that you would like to work through? Interested in Deep Brain Reorienting in Mesa, Arizona? Contact Meaningful Connection Counseling today to get started.
