How does DBR work?
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a therapeutic intervention that acts directly on the automatic neurophysiological responses associated with threatening situations, with special emphasis on the mechanisms regulated by the brainstem, the structure in charge of instinctive survival responses.
The therapeutic approach focuses on identifying and processing the pre-affective shock (the neurobiological activation that occurs before the experience manifests itself at the conscious, emotional or cognitive level), thus allowing the adaptive discharge of response patterns that are usually generalized in multiple areas of the patient's life.
DBR does not require detailed re-experiencing of the traumatic event, making it a less intrusive and more physiological approach. Its methodology is subtle and less directive, as it prioritizes the natural self-regulation of the nervous system over cognitive reinterpretation. It is a body-centered therapy, from the “inside up” as Siegel would explain.
DBR is used in the treatment of complex trauma and conditions such as Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as in cases of chronic anxiety and depression. The technique is particularly useful when traditional approaches fail to fully unblock traumatic memories or emotional arousal.