Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)

A gentle, body-based therapy that resolves trauma at its deepest neurological source—without needing to retell your story.

What Is Deep Brain Reorienting?

Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a specialized trauma therapy that targets the physical "shock" that occurs in your brainstem before you even have a thought or emotion about what happened.
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Unlike talk therapy or even other trauma treatments, DBR works with the split-second survival sequence your brain processes when it encounters a threat. When trauma occurs, this sequence can get "stuck" in your nervous system, leaving you feeling hyper-vigilant, numb, or constantly braced—even when you know you're safe.

How DBR Works

Your brain processes threats in three distinct steps:

Orienting Tension

Your brain notices something is "off," causing subtle tension in your eyes, forehead, or neck.

Shock

A high-energy "jolt" hits your system before any emotion is felt.

Affect (Emotion)

Only then do emotions like fear, rage, or grief surface.

When trauma occurs, this sequence becomes incomplete or stuck. DBR helps your nervous system complete this process so you can feel present and grounded instead of constantly reacting to the past.

Why Choose DBR?

Gentle and well-tolerated
Easier for people who find other trauma therapies too intense. You don't need to retell your trauma story in detail.
No memory needed
Works with pre-verbal trauma from infancy or early childhood. You don't need to remember the details to heal from them.
Targets the root
Resolves the "stuck" survival responses that make you feel hyper-vigilant or numb—even when you logically know you're safe.

What DBR Treats

  • Complex or developmental trauma
  • Pre-verbal trauma (before conscious memory)
  • Trauma that feels "stuck" in your body
  • Hyper-vigilance or constant sense of danger
  • Emotional numbness or disconnection
  • Birth trauma or medical trauma
  • Attachment wounds

What a Session Looks Like

DBR sessions are gentle and body-focused. You won't be asked to relive traumatic memories or tell your story in detail.
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Instead, we work with the physical sensations and orienting responses that occur when your nervous system encounters a trigger. I'll guide you through noticing subtle body sensations—tension in your eyes, forehead, or neck—and help your system complete the survival sequence that got interrupted.
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Sessions move at the speed your nervous system can tolerate, ensuring you feel safe and grounded throughout.

DBR vs. EMDR

EMDR processes traumatic memories through bilateral stimulation to help your brain reprocess the experience and reduce its emotional charge.
DBR works at a deeper neurological level—the brainstem—before emotions or memories are formed. It targets the physical shock response that occurred at the moment of threat.
Some people benefit most from EMDR. Others find DBR gentler. Many clients use both modalities at different points in their healing journey.

Is DBR Right for You?

DBR may be a good fit if:

  • You've tried other trauma therapies but still feel stuck
  • Talking about your trauma feels too overwhelming
  • You experience hyper-vigilance, numbness, or constant tension
  • You have early childhood trauma you don't consciously remember
  • You want a gentle, body-based approach that doesn't require reliving the experience

Learn more: deepbrainreorienting.com

Ready to Begin?

You don't have to carry the weight of trauma alone. DBR offers a gentle, effective path to feeling fully present and grounded in your life.

Book a free 15-minute consultation