Deep brain reorienting – a body based approach to processing

It has been known for a long time now that trauma and attachment wounding are not just psychological, but really lie at the intersection between the psychological and the somatic (related to the body).

Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a therapeutic approach that aims to process trauma and attachment wounding by allowing core emotions, somatic and physiological responses to process through at a deep brain level.

“Deep Brain” in DBR refers essentially to the upper brainstem, below the level of the amygdala and limbic system in the brain, which is often associated with fight or flight alarm systems in trauma response. DBR theorises that there are structures in the deep brain for orientation towards or away from trauma and attachment wounding, structures for registering shock in the body, and structures for registering the core affects such as grief, rage, shame and aloneness pain.

When wounding happens, there is a sequence along these structures which happens so quickly we cannot fully process it. The shock aspect often prevents adaptive integration and can lie behind many disturbances. These processes are all experienced in the body.

How does DBR work?

In DBR, it is theorised that the original wounding sets a sequence in place in the brain stem, and it is the same sequence that is activated during related, present-day triggers.

This means we can process past traumas directly, and we can help to clear past traumas through present-day triggers. Because of this, we don’t always need to know what past experiences relate to specific triggers, which can be a stumbling block for many therapies. Although, of course, we will look at history and experience and get as clear a picture as possible before processing.

The theory is that if we bring attention to present-day triggers, we can then slow the sequence down and give space to the body-based processes and the attachment/aloneness pain that arises. This then allows the experiences to start to clear and become amenable to change and heal in an adaptive way.

DBR is often described as a transformative therapy, aiming to help process shock and core emotional responses linked to a range of difficulties, with the goal of reducing the need to manage ongoing symptoms.

What does a DBR session look like?

First, we will decide on what we are working on, usually a present-day trigger, although we can go to past traumas if desired. Then we will identify the moment which grabbed your attention, the "oh no" moment or the moment you realised something isn't right. This is the moment of orientation and what we call the "activating stimulus".

We then move away from the stimulus and do an orientation exercise, which connects us to the structures for orientation in the brainstem mentioned previously.

We then aim to ease the head, neck and shoulders and focus on our orientation muscles as we bring up the "oh no" moment. This should bring up tension in those muscles, which opens up the trauma/attachment file.

From there, we let go of the stimulus and direct our attention to the body, giving space to core emotions, body sensations, aloneness pain and felt trauma responses. Slowing them down, giving them space to process through.

Old memories or experiences may emerge, as well as new perspectives and insights, as the somatics and affects start to clear. When there is overwhelm, we can focus back on the tension which helps to ground, or we can also lead away from the affect and focus on body shock only for a while. This minimises overwhelm, but also clearing the shock sensations in the body allows for smoother processing.

This is due to how the sensations of shock appear to blow apart the capacity to process and lies behind many disturbances people experience. It is hypothesised that unprocessed shock and affect can lead to many difficulties, such as chronic pain, sleep issues, dissociation, anxiety disorders, addiction, dissociative symptoms, and self-worth difficulties, for example. Whilst there has not been research conducted to test this hypothesis as yet, clinical observations point in this direction

DBR is a relatively new therapy, and at the time of writing, it only has one research study. The research study is, however, looking extremely promising. DBR is a rapidly growing therapy for attachment and trauma processing, and shows positive results with many presentations, such as OCD, trauma, addiction, sleep disturbances, attachment wounding, self-esteem issues, dissociation, anxiety and panic, depression and more.

DBR and dissociation

In terms of dissociation, DBR is said to work below the level of parts of the self. This is not to say to dismiss parts of oneself at all in therapy. But to say that the separation of self appears to correlate with slightly higher brain regions, whilst DBR works lower down, in the brainstem.

This means DBR could help clear trauma and attachment wounding that is shared between multiple parts, and indeed, you can access and explore the wounding through direct access with parts of self as part of the wider therapeutic approach and then move into DBR where desired.

Working with a trained therapist can help you explore whether DBR is right for you.