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What does a session looks like?
Trauma processing through DBR involves:
1) identifying the pre-affective shock in a traumatic memory
2) guided grounding exercise to support intentional connection with the body
3) focusing on “orienting tension” arising in the muscles of the shoulders, neck, head and face
4) deepening the awareness of each sensation and emotion that comes up
5) reflecting on and talking through the outcome of the session
Deep Brain Reorienting
What is Deep Brain Reorienting?
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a neuroscience-backed, brain-based therapy designed to support trauma processing by working with the body and subcortical regions of the brain where traumatic experiences are held.
The approach focuses on accessing implicit, nonverbal, and body-based aspects of trauma, working through the nervous system and physiological responses connected to trauma, allowing individuals to engage in the processing work without needing to verbally revisit or describe traumatic experiences in detail.
DBR can be particularly beneficial for individuals who find it difficult to articulate their experiences, including those whose trauma is held more somatically, emotionally, or outside of conscious verbal memory.
By attending to the physical sensations, orienting responses, and nervous system patterns associated with trauma, DBR supports the gradual processing and integration of traumatic experiences in a way that prioritizes safety and regulation.
DBR was developed by neuroscientist and trauma specialist Frank Corrigan. While it shares similarities with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in supporting the nervous system’s ability to process trauma, DBR is often experienced as a slower and more grounded approach.
Rather than relying primarily on cognitive processing or visualization techniques, DBR uses the body and brain’s natural pacing mechanisms to guide the work.
This can help reduce the risk of emotional overwhelm, flooding, or dissociation, particularly for individuals with early attachment trauma or complex trauma histories who may struggle to maintain stabilization during trauma processing.
How does Deep Brain Reorienting work?
When clients experience trauma, their body may rapidly register an initial shock response from the threat of the experience. That shock becomes stored in the body, and if it’s not effectively processed, it will continue to cause unexplained symptoms and an inability to fully process the emotions of the traumatic memory. This can result in the experience of feeling unable to shift a belief or behaviour despite cognitively knowing it – for example “I know I’m safe but I don’t feel safe”
Over the course of the session, you will be guided to sit with, and deepen the awareness of each sensation and emotion. This allows the motor end plate and neural networks to be expressed in a way that was not possible when they were entrapped within the deep and superficial brainstem structures.
The approach allows the participant to process the shock as well as the traumatic memory in an emotionally manageable way, changing how it is represented/accessed in the brain’s innate defensive system (fight / flight / freeze). In other words, a bottom-up integration of the traumatic memory has occurred, allowing the body to catch up with the cognitive understanding.
More information
Visit the Deep Brain Orienting website
Watch a video summary of how DBR works
Read a summary about DBR written by Ruth Lanuis
Learn more from a recent study on DBR
Frequently Asked Questions
1
How long is Deep Brain Reorienting treatment?
DBR therapy are safe and effective stand-alone therapies that can be used to treat Trauma as well as Burnout, Anxiety, Somatization and many other difficulties. While DBR was originally created for individuals with Trauma, it is now being used to support the body in other treatment resistant mental health conditions as well as in processing emotional pain and developing a deeper connection with the body.
2
How long is Deep Brain Reorienting treatment?
DBR therapy can benefit anyone who has experienced trauma, from single traumatic events to ongoing experiences that have left a lasting impact. It is especially helpful for those who have experienced trauma that is stored in the body and impacting their emotional and mental well-being.
If you have tried EMDR without success, DBR therapy may be a more grounded and effective alternative.
3
How long is Deep Brain Reorienting treatment?
Definitely! Many clients who seek out DBR have had limited success in other therapies. This is usually because the other therapies did not effectively treat the body's response to the trauma. Often talk therapy can help with gaining "insight" into the reasons for difficulties and behaviours but does not fully support the body in processing difficult experiences.
4
How long is Deep Brain Reorienting treatment?
It may be helpful to have an idea of what you'd like to work on coming into the session as it does tend to require a full session. Wearing comfortable clothing and having a quiet space can also help to support processing.
5
How long is Deep Brain Reorienting treatment?
Deep Brain Reorienting therapy does not require any homework - but you may find that shifts continue to come up after the sessions. Journalling may be a helpful tool in processing these further and it can often be helpful to have a talk therapy session in between somatic sessions to further support the processing.
6
How long is Deep Brain Reorienting treatment?
Most clients will benefit from doing a block of 6-8 sessions at a time - because trauma processing can be exhausting and can take time to fully integrate it's helpful to take breaks and work in 3-6 month intervals if more sessions are desired.
Additionally some clients may find that they prefer longer processing sessions so there is an option to do either 50minute sessions or 90 minute sessions
7
Can I see you for DBR therapy in addition to my regular therapist?
Yes, Deep Brain Reorienting Therapy can be a helpful addition to the therapy you are already doing. When beginning any adjunct therapy, it's best to start with a conversation (including both your regular therapist and DBR therapist) to coordinate care, reduce overlap and optimize treatment goals.
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