What is Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)?
DBR is a groundbreaking neuroscience-informed psychotherapy that effectively treats symptoms and distressing emotions stemming from trauma and attachment wounding. DBR activates and processes the neurophysiological sequence that occurred in the deep brain and physiology at the time of the traumatic event, even if the origins of a presenting trigger are unknown.
An initial shock response is rapidly registered in our body from the threat or horror of traumatic or overwhelming experiences. The unprocessed shock and emotional effects become stored in our body’s reactions and can negatively affect our daily life. Often the shock and emotional residues of the trauma are concealed by various cognitive, emotional, and physical symptoms, making it difficult to fully process the emotions stemming from the trauma.
The clearing of shock is essential for effective healing from traumatic experiences and is often not attended to in other trauma therapies. Processing the shock facilitates the healing of painful emotions, symptoms and trauma reactions, whilst also strengthening the connection to our core sense of vitality. DBR can help to support changes in how we view ourselves, others, and the world.
How does DBR work?
DBR theory is underpinned by the latest neuroscience research. This knowledge and understanding is then applied by the therapist within the DBR therapy process.
To capture the body’s fleeting and immediate response to a trigger or traumatic event, in DBR the initial focus is on the awareness of the experience and establishing the associated orientating tension (OT) connected to this. At the time of the event, the OT is often a fleeting undetected tension that activates specific muscles in preparation for us to take action in response to the perceived threat. Reactivating the OT in relation to the trauma provides an anchor to ground us in the present during DBR processing and helps to protect against dissociation and overwhelm. Due to the OT occurring at the very beginning of the memory sequence, prior to any shock or overpowering emotion, it also provides access to the memory information file.
The initial shock response occurs before our innate defensive responses of ‘flight, fight, freeze’ and before emotional responses to trauma, such as panic, fear, shame, rage, and grief, are activated. If shock is present, this is processed first because clearing the shock helps reduce the distress and makes the processing of emotions easier.
Our response to trauma can become ‘sequenced’: for some this might be withdrawing or shutting down, or reacting angrily. Processing a memory sequence that may underlie various other experiences means that it does not require the processing of each associated trauma episode or trauma one by one, which is more efficient and less demanding for you.
What happens in a DBR session?
- You will collaboratively agree what you would like to work on in the session.
- Your therapist guides you to become grounded in an awareness of where you are in the present moment.
- To capture the body’s often fleeting but immediate response, attention is first given to the initial awareness of the traumatic experience and the ‘orienting tension’(OT) associated with this is established.
- From here the therapist will be very attentive to what is happening for you and support you as needed while your deep brain is processing the shock and the accompanying affective and defensive responses linked to the memory sequence.
- At the end of the session the therapist will help you to settle into any new perspectives resulting from the session.
- Following the session, it can be very helpful to allow yourself half an hour or more to allow your ‘system’ to settle and to allow for integration of any changes that have occurred.
What can DBR treat?
DBR therapy is a transdiagnostic approach used to treat symptoms and issues stemming from trauma and attachment wounding, even when the traumatic origins are unknown. DBR therapy is also suitable if you do not have full access to memories of what has happened to you and/or you cannot remember your childhood.
Is DBR like hypnosis?
DBR therapy is not a form of hypnosis, and you remain fully conscious, alert and in control at all times.
Can DBR be done remotely?
DBR therapy can be offered remotely. Suitability for remote therapy will be discussed.
Is talking in detail about my issue needed?
DBR therapy does not require you to speak in detail about what has happened to you, thus allowing for more privacy, where you can share as much or as little as you want about the content of memories and associations that come up for you.
Will I get emotional?
One of the aims of DBR is to reduce the risk of dissociation and overwhelm when processing things that are painful. When processing, you will be supported by your therapist when experiencing bodily sensations, emotions, thoughts, and memories; these are often rapidly resolved once the shock is cleared.
What will I feel like after the session?
Some people can feel tired after a session due to the deep healing occurring in the brainstem; it is also possible to feel a sense of calmness and an increase in energy after a session. Sometimes new memories or some emotions are noticed in between sessions which mean that the processing is continuing.
Does DBR take a long time?
The number of sessions needed vary from person to person depending on the complexity of what you want to work on, your history and needs. A recent study found that DBR helped treat and reduce PTSD symptoms within 8 sessions (Kearney et al., 2023).
DBR works at a deep level of the brain and, when successful, you will likely experience a ‘felt’ sense of change in your daily life.
(Adapted from Sherrell, 2023)
Below is a video detailing the neuroscience of DBR.