Instinctual Trauma Response® (ITR®)
Instinctual Trauma Response recodes traumatic memories from the right brain format to the left brain format, ending or greatly reducing triggers and symptoms.
The ITR gives traumatic memories order, verbal coding, historical context, and an objective, third person view that protects the person from re-experiencing the trauma and fosters their capacity for empathy for themselves and others. The client feels the event is finally over and in the past. Many clients say that the ITR method radically changed their lives, and therapists often say it’s the only trauma treatment they have seen that really works.
ITR, consists of 2 parts: graphic narratives and externalized dialogue.
- Graphic Narratives™ – A fundamental piece, with the goal of telling the verbal AND non-verbal story of the traumas. The creation of this narrative, with a beginning, middle, and an end, brings together the fragmented pieces of the trauma. Drawing the story from start to finish, complete with all the non-verbal details is crucial to help bring closure to the memory. You do not need to be an artist to use this process, quick drawings with stick figures are incredibly effective for this process. It’s not about the drawing as much as it’s about the re-presenting to the brain with a beginning, middle and end.
- Externalized Dialogue™ – After a trauma, we can become aware of separate parts or aspects of ourselves, that we may try to ignore or disown. These states may represent the traumatized part that now experiences flashbacks, shame, or vulnerability. We may have an internal part that manifests in a strong thought or in a voice that has a distinct point of view. The task of reversing dissociation is to engage in an active dialogue between these separated parts that are different or even opposed to other conscious thoughts. The simple and rapid procedure of an externalized dialogue is effective in reversing dissociation and bringing unity. You will learn how to use writing to bring about internal peace. This is something you can do for the rest of your life, in fact, it is encouraged it to keep the positive results of the trauma processing.