If you have unresolved trauma, particularly Developmental Trauma, you must carefully select your sources of information. Many professionals don’t actually know what they’re talking about. They may be very well-intentioned but are also likely at least 20 years behind neuroscience, and that can actually cause far more harm. I most value these resrources:
Therapy
The Neuroaffective Relational Model (NARM) therapy was developed specifically for Complex PTSD. It 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).
This developmentally-oriented, neuroscientifically-informed model, as outlined in Dr. Laurence Heller’s book, co-written with Aline LaPierre, PsyD, Healing Developmental Trauma, emerged out of earlier psychotherapeutic orientations including Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Attachment Theory, Cognitive Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing®, and bridges traditional psychotherapy with body-mind approaches within a context of relational practice. NARM is a mindfulness-based clinical treatment, as its method is grounded in a phenomenological approach to addressing identity and consciousness of self – who we truly are beneath these patterned ways of relating to ourselves and the world. Seen in this way, healing complex trauma is a vehicle for transformation on a personal and collective level.
David Bedrick, deep/process/Jungian psychologist. He helps us move beyond shame and find the wisdom in the parts of ourselves we (and mainstream therapists) think we need to fix. Follow him on Facebook (review his Facebook Live videos) and Psychology Today and check out his newest book, “You Can’t Judge a Body By Its Cover”
Books:
“The Neurobiology of ‘We,'” by Dr. Daniel J Siegel, a neuropsychiatrist at UCLA School of Medicine and founder of the Mindsight Institute. This book has shown me how I could use focused attention to change the architecture of my brain, the operation of my nervous system, and the patterns of my relationships.
“Healing Developmental Trauma: How Early Trauma Affects Self-Regulation, Self-Image, and the Capacity for Relationship,” by Laurence Heller and Aline Lapierre, developers of the Neuroaffective Relational Model (NARM) of therapy
Podcasts:
“Transforming Trauma” podcast, hosted by the NARM Training Institute
“Therapist Uncensored” podcast, about attachment styles, how they affect us, and how we can develop a more secure attachment style.
Videos:
“Trauma Awareness with Shay Seaborne” playlist includes videos with Imogen Ragone, which offer viewers a glimpse of the “BodyIntelligence, Neurobiology and Trauma” courses.
David Bedrick videos on YouTube. This remarkable deep/process/Jungian psychologist offers a variety of topics including “beyond shame,’ the power of anger, on being “needy” and many more. I higly respect and appreciate David and his revolutionary work.
“Healing Trauma” a free video training with nervous system expert Irene Lyon, whose work I greatly appreciate.
Film:
“The Wisdom of Trauma” film. Renowned trauma and addiction expert Dr. Gabor Maté gives us a new vision: “a trauma-informed society in which parents, teachers, physicians, policy-makers and legal personnel are not concerned with fixing behaviors, making diagnoses, suppressing symptoms and judging, but seek instead to understand the sources from which troubling behaviors and diseases spring in the wounded human soul.”
Infographics:
How the Nervous System Responds to Trauma
How Trauma Can Affect Adult Relationships
Four Core Strategies for Managing Stress and Anxiety
A 5-Step Process for Transforming Shame with Self-Compassion
Books:
The Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology collection. These books “bring science to life by synthesizing a wide range of research disciplines into a framework that offers a practical, working definition of the mind and of mental health. With this integrated approach, you will be empowered to help others more effectively cultivate well-being in their individual and relational lives.”
Websites:
PACEs= positive & adverse childhood experiences
“PACEs Connection, an ever-growing social network, connects those who are implementing trauma-informed and resilience-building practices based on ACEs science. The network’s 40,000+ members share their best practices, while inspiring each other to grow the PACEs movement.”
Authors:
Stephen Porges, PhD, founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland.
Babette Rothschild, M.S.W., body-psychotherapist and specialist educator in the treatment of trauma and P.T.S.D.
Bessel van der Kolk, psychiatrist, author, researcher and educator. Since the 1970s his research has been in the area of post-traumatic stress.
Irene Lyon, Msc, nervous system specialist and somatic neuroplasticity expert
Gretchen Schmelzer, PhD, trauma survivor who has worked for twenty-five years with the complex issues of trauma, integration and behavior change across every level of system from individuals, to groups, to large systems and countries.
Dr. Daniel J. Siegel, clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and executive director of the Mindsight Institute, and co-founder of the field of Interpersonal Neurobiology
Judith Herman, MD, researcher, teacher, and author focused on understanding and treatment of incest and traumatic stress.
Jeff Brown, Enrealment Activist and author of “Grounded Spirituality,” which calls out and critically reviews ungrounded spiritualities, and presents a new model of authentic humanness, offering us a more integrated, embodied, and heartfelt path.
Bonnie Badenoch, Ph. D., LMFT, co-founder of Center for Brain-Wise Living, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering awareness of the brain, mind, and relationships in the service of creating a more awake and compassionate world.
Arielle Schwartz, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Author, Consultant, Therapist Trainer
Dr. Pat Ogden, founder of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
Deb Dana, LCSW, clinician and consultant specializing in working with complex trauma and Coordinator of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute.
Resmaa Menakem MSW LICSW SEP
Dr. Gabor Maté, trauma and addiction expert.
Pete Walker, “CPTSD: From Surviving to Thriving”
Follow #TraumaAwareAmerica on Facebook
Accountability for Abusive Institutions: there is a lot you can do!
DISCLAIMER: This is not medical, psychological, or legal advice. The contents of this site represent Shay Seaborne, CPTSD’s lived experience and understanding of the neurobiology of trauma through study and experiences. For medical, psychological, or legal advice, see a licensed practitioner.