NARM

"The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) is an advanced clinical training for mental health professionals who work with complex trauma. NARM is a cutting-edge model for addressing attachment, relational, and developmental trauma by working with the attachment patterns that cause life-long psychobiological symptoms and interpersonal difficulties. These early, unconscious patterns of disconnection deeply affect our identity, emotions, physiology, behavior and relationships. Learning how to work simultaneously with these diverse elements is a radical shift that has profound clinical implications for healing complex trauma.  As such, NARM is positioned to become an invaluable treatment option for the Trauma-Informed Care movement as we gain greater understanding of the nature of adverse childhood experience (ACEs)." 

-NARM Training Institute

NARM is a therapeutic model used mainly to treat developmental trauma, relational trauma, and cPTSD. Both cPTSD and developmental trauma differ from standard PTSD in that they typically develop from chronic environmental failures in childhood or intense repeated relational traumas, rather than singular traumatic events. Though there may be some overlap in the symptoms of PTSD and cPTSD, the way they impact the brain and development are different. NARM works with the building safety of the therapeutic relationship to help each client begin to be curious about their experiences, develop greater sense of agency in their own growth/healing, and embrace the emotions related to these trauma experiences in order to experience post traumatic growth. To learn more about the research behind cPTSD/developmental trauma and the NARM therapeutic model, check out the many resources available from the NARM Institute.

In my practice, I pull from multiple different therapeutic models and modalities to find the specific approach that works best for each individual client’s needs. Everyone is unique in how they have experienced and processed hurt and pain in their lives, so I believe that a unique treatment plan is needed for each new client that enters my office. The two main modalities I have been trained in are EMDR and NARM, both of which are used to address different types of traumatic experiences. Because many clients come into therapy with more than one type of trauma, I will often combine the use of EMDR and NARM in our treatment plan. Some of my priorities in sessions with clients include supporting client consent in our work together, developing safety in our therapeutic relationship, and inviting non judgemental curiosity into our exploration of your story. 

If you would like to learn more about NARM, you can visit the NARM Institute website at https://narmtraining.com/ or check out their podcast, Transforming Trauma, on any podcast platform.