Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR): a gentle way to resolve shock and trauma
/When something overwhelms us, the effects don’t only live in our thoughts. They can show up as a body that won’t settle: tension, startle, panic, shut-down, sleep disruption, irritability, rumination, feeling “on edge,” or feeling disconnected and numb.
Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a trauma therapy that works gently with the brain-body sequence that can get stuck after shock. Rather than pushing you to relive the story, DBR helps your system complete what it couldn’t complete at the time — with care, pacing, and choice.
I offer DBR within a relational, trauma-informed approach. The aim is simple: more stability, more ease, and less being driven by old threat patterns.
What DBR focuses on
DBR is built around a simple idea: before you have words or meaning, your nervous system has already reacted.
When a threat happens, your brain and body respond rapidly:
you orient to danger (your system “locks on”)
your body mobilises or freezes
shock energy and protective responses can become “stored”
later, triggers can reactivate the same pattern — even when you know you’re safe
DBR helps you work with the moment the shock sequence begins, at a level that is often felt as subtle sensations (tightening, pressure, pull, heat/cold, bracing, impulses to move, changes in breath).
Many people find this approach less overwhelming than methods that require detailed retelling.
DBR isn’t about forcing you to relive trauma
A common worry is: “Does trauma therapy mean I have to go back through everything?”
In DBR, we prioritise:
staying within your window of tolerance
titration (small doses)
choice and consent throughout
a focus on bodily signals rather than graphic detail or thoughts
Often, we work with:
a tiny slice of a memory
a theme (e.g., humiliation, danger, abandonment)
a present-day trigger that reveals the same nervous system pattern
You remain in charge of the pace.
What DBR can help with
DBR is used for many trauma-related and stress-related patterns, including:
hypervigilance, startle, and “always on”
panic and sudden surges of fear
freeze/shutdown, numbness, “can’t get going”
chronic tension, bracing, jaw/neck/shoulder holding
shame spirals and self-attack
intrusive memories, body memories, nightmares
feeling unsafe in relationships even when you want closeness
DBR isn’t a promise of a specific outcome, and it isn’t a replacement for medical care when that’s needed — but it can be a powerful way to reduce the reactivity that keeps people stuck.
What DBR feels like in session
DBR often feels:
slower than you might expect
far more body-led than talk-led
like tracking small shifts rather than “performing” therapy well
steady and contained
Some people notice changes in:
breathing
muscle tone
emotional intensity
sense of agency (“I can stay with this without being pulled under”)
DBR and the “parts of you”
People often have conflicting inner experiences:
one part wants to move on
another part feels terrified
another part wants control
another part is exhausted
DBR can work alongside a “parts-aware” approach: we respect protective strategies and don’t try to bulldoze them. The work is collaborative. In fact, DBR works below the level of parts, i.e. lower in the brain.
Frequently asked questions
Is DBR the same as EMDR?
No. Both are trauma therapies, but DBR does not use bilateral stimulation. DBR focuses on the early orienting/threat response and the shock sequence as it shows up in the body.
Do I have to describe what happened?
Not in detail. We use enough context to orient the work, without requiring a full narrative or graphic retelling.
Will it make me feel worse before I feel better?
The aim is to avoid overwhelm through careful pacing. Some people feel tired, tender, or emotionally “open” afterwards—so we plan integration and after-care.
How many sessions does it take?
It varies. Some people notice shifts early; others need time to build stability first. With deeper-rooted and developmental trauma patterns, the work typically takes longer. We tailor the plan to you.
If you’re curious, a good first step is a brief conversation to see whether DBR—or another approach—fits your needs.
Contact
Paolo Imbalzano
+44 7803 049039
paolo@presentingpast.co.uk
www.presentingpast.co.uk