Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)
DBR, Deep Brain Reorienting, is a body and brain informed approach for trauma healing and resolution. DBR is an evidence-based method that integrates the brain’s natural healing processes by directly engaging with the brain’s instinctual responses to stress.
DBR focuses on the physiological reactions that arise or are connected to a situation, feeling, memory, or traumatic event. The process identifies those moments and experiences of shock that often come with hard experiences and memories, and reorients the original emotional responses that get stored in our brainstems. This process can lead to deep emotional processing without having to consciously recall, re-live, or describe traumatic moments. In DBR, we do very little describing, resulting in it being a great approach if memories or experiences are challenging to describe.
DBR can be effective for many experiences, including and specifically insomnia, anxiety, relationships and attachment, or substance misuse.
Processing with DBR
DBR applies a bottom-up approach that involves identifying and working with the specific shocking and lasting aspects of traumatic events.
Practically, we support you in locating yourself in your space, identify any sensations that might occur while attending especially to physical reactions in your head and neck areas, and engage in mindful processing.
The processing and integration that occurs during DBR can continue after a DBR session ends. You may expect to encounter vivid memories, physical sensations, dreams or feelings for a few days after DBR.
How DBR Sessions Can Work
DBR can be included in remote and in-person sessions. You don’t need to have vision, hearing, or other sensory perceptions to participate in DBR, and the process can be adjusted to your needs and experiences in many different ways.
With DBR, we can identify subjects and focus on them in a structured way, or identify moments of shock as we go, and integrated DBR processing into our ongoing work.
How to prepare for DBR
You don't need to do anything to prepare for processing with DBR, though you are welcome to consider topics you want to include in the work.
Items you may want to have available when working remotely:
Comfortable clothing
Something to hydrate (water, tea, etc.)
Plans after a DBR session:
Observe thoughts, memories, dreams, or sensations that might arise