Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)
Accessing the Core of Trauma at the Brainstem Level
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a specialized, “bottom-up” neuro-therapeutic framework designed to resolve the physiological roots of trauma. Unlike traditional therapies that focus on “top-down” cognitive management or emotional exposure, DBR tracks the original sequence of a traumatic event as it first registered in the brainstem—the part of the brain responsible for immediate survival and attachment.
How DBR Works: Beyond Emotional Overwhelm
Many trauma survivors find traditional processing difficult because the memory is either emotionally overwhelming or hidden behind layers of dissociation, numbing, and “blanking out.” DBR bypasses these defensive layers by focusing on the Orienting Tension—the very first physiological response that occurs before shock or intense emotion takes over.
During a DBR session, we utilize specific anchors in the body:
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The Superior Colliculus (SC): We track the subtle eye movements and head-turning impulses that were initiated at the moment of danger or attachment disruption.
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Orienting Tension: By focusing on the fleeting tension in the face and neck muscles, we create a stable “anchor” in the present. This prevents the mind from being swept away by high-intensity emotions or becoming “frozen” in a past state.
Clinical Applications: PTSD and Attachment Wounding
DBR is highly effective for those struggling with:
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Complex PTSD: Especially when symptoms include derealization, depersonalization, or “shutting down.”
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Early Attachment Disruption: Resolving the deep “pain of aloneness” or abandonment fears that stem from infancy or early childhood separation.
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Somatic Distress: For individuals whose trauma is expressed through substance use, eating disorders, or self-harm as a means of regulating a dysregulated nervous system.
By processing the physiological sequence from the bottom-up, DBR aims to liberate the brain’s inherent ability to heal, moving beyond symptom management toward true transformational recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions about DBR
What is the main difference between DBR and EMDR?
While both are “bottom-up” trauma therapies, EMDR often focuses on the emotional and cognitive processing of memories. Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) goes deeper into the midbrain to target the “orienting response”—the physical tension in the neck and eyes that happens in the split second before an emotion is even felt. This makes DBR particularly helpful for clients who find EMDR too over-stimulating or those who experience heavy dissociation.
Can DBR help with early childhood or pre-verbal trauma?
Yes. Because DBR tracks physiological sequences in the brainstem (which is online from birth), it does not require a clear “story” or verbal memory of the event. It is highly effective for resolving attachment wounds and abandonment fears that occurred in infancy before the brain was capable of forming narrative memories.
What does a DBR session feel like?
DBR is a slow, gentle process. Unlike exposure therapy, you aren’t asked to “relive” the trauma. Instead, you will be guided to notice subtle tensions in your face, head, or neck. By staying with this “orienting tension,” your nervous system can finally complete the survival response that was interrupted during the original event, leading to a profound sense of release and grounding.
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