What is the NARM Treatment Plan? | NARM Therapy Explained
Introduction to NARM Therapy
The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) is an advanced therapeutic approach designed to address the impacts of trauma on mental health and well-being. Unlike traditional methods, NARM focuses on strengthening self-regulation and enhancing identity.
What is the NARM Treatment Plan?
The NARM treatment plan is a structured approach to help individuals heal from complex trauma. It aims to restore connection, self-regulation, and personal growth by targeting developmental trauma and its long-term effects.
What Happens in NARM Therapy?
In NARM therapy, clients explore patterns of disconnection and develop an understanding of their emotional triggers. Sessions often involve:
- Identifying core beliefs and behaviors.
- Building awareness of emotional and physical sensations.
- Addressing shame and self-judgment.
What Does a NARM Session Look Like?
A typical session includes open dialogue between the therapist and the client, focusing on present emotions rather than reliving traumatic memories. The therapist guides clients in exploring their survival strategies and fostering emotional resilience.
The Four Pillars of NARM
- Clarifying the intention: agreeing together on what you want from therapy.
- Asking exploratory questions: curious questions that help you notice your own patterns.
- Reinforcing agency: highlighting the ways you shape your own experience, so change feels possible.
- Reflecting psychobiological shifts: noticing changes in your body and emotions as they happen in session.
The 5 NARM Survival Styles
NARM describes five adaptive survival styles. Each forms around a core childhood need that wasn't fully met:
- Connection: difficulty feeling connected to the body, emotions and other people.
- Attunement: difficulty knowing and expressing your own needs, often focusing on others' needs instead.
- Trust: difficulty relying on others and a strong need to stay in control.
- Autonomy: difficulty saying no or setting limits directly; feeling burdened by others' expectations.
- Love-Sexuality: difficulty integrating heart and sexuality; tying self-worth to looks, performance or perfection.
Is NARM Therapy Evidence-Based?
NARM is a newer model, and research on it is still growing. Early studies on complex trauma are encouraging, and NARM builds on well-established attachment, somatic and developmental research. EMDR, which we also offer, has a large body of research behind it.
How Much Does NARM Therapy Cost?
Costs vary by therapist and session frequency. At McGuire Counseling and Psychotherapy, we are not in-network with insurance and do not bill out of network, but we can provide documentation if your plan has out-of-network benefits, and we offer payment plans in some cases. Call (904) 575-7209 for current rates.
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