What is Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)?

​

For me 2023 has been focused on learning and practicing Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR).  I first learned about this trauma treatment from D. Michael Coy, a consultant on the MID (The Multidimensional Inventory of Dissociation).  Developed by a Psychiatrist in Scotland Dr. Frank Corrigan, DBR is a gentler approach to working with trauma.  Using more bottom-up processing, it goes deep while helping individuals stay anchored to their bodies through orienting tension in the forehead, around the eyes, and/or the back of the neck.  It’s a great option or complement to EMDR therapy, which is more top-down processing.  We can decide together what approach(es) to use.   

​

What a DBR session would look like: I would ask you if you’re up for processing that day and if so, what particular present-day or recent situation and the activating moment.  We would work on identifying the orienting tension with that activating moment, clearing up the shock response (if there) before letting processing continue to flow with emotions, memories, sensations, etc.  Over time you might notice a new perspective about yourself as a result of the processing.

​

FYI about my background: I’ve completed Level 1 (An Introduction to Deep Brain Reorienting) and Level 2 (DBR for Attachment Shock and Wounding) with Dr. Frank Corrigan, the developer of this treatment.  I’m hoping to sign up for Level 3 (Dissociative and Other Complex Trauma Disorders).

​

​

Resources:

​

History of DBR