Theories / Approaches


DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS MEETING STRATEGY

"Developmental Needs Meeting Strategy (DNMS) was developed for use in the treatment of trauma and attachment-related issues. A noninvasive and multidimensional approach to treating complex trauma resulting from abuse or neglect-related attachment concerns, DNMS aims to address the unmet needs and psychological wounds of people seeking treatment. This comprehensive, strengths-based, person-centered approach may be used to address a wide range of concerns. 

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

Developed by licensed professional counselor Shirley Jean Schmidt, DNMS is an ego state therapy that evolved from Francine Shapiro's Adaptive Information Processing model, which also provided the theoretical foundation for EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. DNMS was also influenced by developmental psychology, attachment theory, inner-child work, and neuroscience. "

SOMATIC EXPERIENCING

"Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) was developed by Peter A. Levine, PhD to address the effects of trauma. Levine developed this approach after observing that prey animals, whose lives are routinely threatened in the wild, are able to recover readily by physically releasing the energy they accumulate during stressful events. Humans, on the other hand, often override these natural ways of regulating the nervous system with feelings of shame and pervasive thoughts, judgments, and fears. Somatic Experiencing aims to help people move past the place where they might be “stuck” in processing a traumatic event.

THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AND SOMATIC EXPERIENCING THEORY

The autonomic nervous system (ANS), which includes the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS), and the enteric nervous system (ENS), is triggered into action when we’re faced with adversity and it governs the fight, flight, or freeze instinct. Although designed to be self-regulating, the ANS can become dysregulated, particularly when full expression of one’s response to trauma is repressed. As a result, the body continues to respond as if it is under threat. Somatic experiencing contends that negative symptoms of trauma—such as anxiety, hypervigilance, aggression, and shame—result from denying the body the opportunity to fully process the traumatic event.

METHOD OF SOMATIC EXPERIENCING

Somatic Experiencing sessions involve the introduction of small amounts of traumatic material and the observation of a client’s physical responses to that material, such as shallow breathing or a shift in posture. The therapist will frequently check in with the client to assess and record somatic sensations that may be imperceptible to the practitioner, such as feelings of heaviness, tightness, or dizziness. Practitioners proceed carefully and cautiously to avoid retraumatizing or triggering the client, and they help people to develop and employ self-regulating strategies. A key component to enhancing one’s ability to self-regulate is the practice of alternating, or “pendulating,” between the sensations associated with trauma and those that are a source of strength and comfort.
The SE practitioner will help the client find places of safety, whether that be a place in the body that is not activated by the trauma, or a physical place to retreat to in one’s mind. Experiencing the sensations related to the traumatic event in a safe way allows a person to fully process the trauma. Clients also achieve heightened awareness of their physical responses to stress, and this skill can serve them in everyday life."


TRAUMA RELEASE EXERCISES

"Tension & Trauma Release Exercises (or TRE®) is a simple yet innovative series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma. Created by Dr. David Berceli, PhD, TRE safely activates a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system. When this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism is activated in a safe and controlled environment, the body is encouraged to return back to a state of balance."

INTERNAL FAMILY SYSTEMS

"Internal Family Systems (IFS) uses Family Systems theory—the idea that individuals cannot be fully understood in isolation from the family unit—to develop techniques and strategies to effectively address issues within a person’s internal community or family. This evidence-based approach assumes each individual possesses a variety of sub-personalities, or “parts,” and attempts to get to know each of these parts better to achieve healing.

By learning how different parts function as a system and how the overall system reacts to other systems and other people, people in therapy can often, with the help of a trained mental health professional, become better able to identify the roots of conflict, manage any complications arising, and achieve greater well-being. "


BRAINSPOTTING

"Brainspotting (BSP) is a relatively new type of therapy designed to help people access, process, and overcome trauma, negative emotions, and pain, including psychologically induced physical pain.
Brainspotting was developed through David Grand's work with survivors of trauma, and many mental health professionals utilizing the approach have found it to be an effective form of treatment for a variety of mental health concerns."
EMOTION FREEDOM TECHNIQUES

"Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a revolutionary treatment method that offers healing from physical and emotional pain and disease. Without the use of needles, this form of acupuncture uses the fingertips to stimulate energy points on the body. Developed by Gary Craig, this is an easily mastered technique that can be performed virtually anywhere. This treatment sprang from the idea that, "The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system."

HYPNOSIS

"Hypnotherapy employs the use of hypnosis—an altered state of consciousness caused by little more than the power of suggestion—to help facilitate behavioral and emotional change. A trained hypnotherapist can cause a trancelike state in clients by using auditory, visual, or other perceptual cues. Once the person enters the hypnotic state, he or she is much more suggestible, making it easier to discuss memories, gain insight, and alter behavior."


INTEGRAL PSYCHOLOGY

"Integral psychotherapy (IP) proposes that all insights on life contain partial truths and that weaving together a range of cultural, psychological, socioeconomic, biological, spiritual, and behavioral perspectives can offer hope for healing, increased mindfulness, and social and cultural evolution. IP draws from several theoretical orientations, leaning heavily on theories of transpersonal psychology.
Integral psychology was created by philosopher Ken Wilber. Wilber dropped out of college to create his own curriculum and write books on spirituality and psychology. Drawing upon transpersonal psychology, which blends spiritual experiences with mainstream psychology, Wilber developed his theory of integral psychotherapy."

SOMATIC PSYCHOTHERAPY

"Somatic psychotherapy, a holistic therapeutic approach, incorporates a person’s mind, body, spirit, and emotions in the healing process. Proponents of this type of therapy believe a person's thoughts, attitudes, feelings, and beliefs can have an impact on physical functioning, while physical factors such as diet, exercise, and posture may positively or negatively affect a person’s mental and emotional state. Thus, those seeking treatment for any number of mental health concerns may incorporating somatic therapy into treatment to be beneficial."

  • Hakomi, a form of therapy that combines mindfulness with a somatic approach
  • Core Energetics, an approach that utilizes movement to balance energy between body, mind, and spirit and better express innate qualities. 
  • Bioenergetic analysis, a somatic therapy that integrates therapeutic treatment with psychology and body work

  • Body Mind Spirit Success
    How to be successful in a body, using energy psychology.
    Find this blog at: https://bodymindspiritsuccess.blogspot.com/
    Also visit: http://hypnosisrecordings.blogspot.com/
    Jane Leu Rekas, LCSW

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