Deep Brain Reorientating

Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a body-based trauma therapy developed by psychiatrist Dr. Frank Corrigan. Rather than asking clients to recount traumatic events in detail, DBR often involves less emphasis on detailed verbal recounting of traumatic experiences, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals who find it difficult to articulate their trauma in words or who feel overwhelmed by having to repeatedly describe painful events. Instead, the approach follows a subtle sequence of sensations in the face, head, and neck, working with the nervous system's earliest, instinctive responses to threat rather than the stories or thoughts built around them. This gentle, bottom-up approach is designed to help clients feel more connected to their bodies and safer as they process difficult experiences. 

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In a typical session, your therapist will guide you to bring to mind a trigger, emotion, or event you'd like to work on, then help you notice any sensations, emotions, or fleeting memories that spontaneously arise in your body — without requiring you to narrate the full story. Much of the work is done through quiet, guided observation of your physiological and emotional states, with sessions often beginning with a grounding exercise. Over time, this careful attention supports the brain's natural healing process, helping "reorient" automatic responses so that reminders of past difficult events no longer trigger the same intense reactions in daily life. DBR is a relatively new modality, so we're happy to discuss what to expect and answer any questions before your first session. 

As DBR is a relatively new therapeutic approach we have to be mindful that the research is still limited, but evidence is coming out showing how effective it can be.

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