Unprocessed experiences from the past can remain present for many years. They often show up through the body — as constriction, chronic tension, or various physical symptoms, including digestive difficulties, sleep disturbances, and pain. They may be accompanied by feelings of helplessness, fear, or anger, and can sometimes develop into more pronounced emotional distress, behavioral difficulties, or addictions. The effects of trauma are also often reflected in self-image and in the way we experience and engage in relationships.

Contemporary research has significantly deepened our understanding of trauma and has transformed therapeutic approaches. In particular, body-oriented and relational therapies have proven to be highly effective in supporting individuals in recognizing and regulating their internal states, as well as in understanding patterns that developed within early relationships. This kind of work gradually leads to changes in the way people experience themselves, relate to others, and respond to everyday situations.

In my work with the effects of trauma, I draw on Somatic Experiencing and the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), both of which support a gradual and safe processing of overwhelming experiences.

The approach

When we are exposed to situations that we perceive as threatening, the body automatically activates a survival response – fight, flight, or freeze. This is a natural biological mechanism that helps us survive danger. In animals, this response resolves spontaneously after the threat has passed, often through movement or trembling, which allows the nervous system to return to balance.

In humans, however, the survival response often remains incomplete. When danger cannot be resolved or processed, a high level of arousal may remain “trapped” in the body. As a result, the effects of traumatic experiences are not primarily stored as a narrative or verbal memory, but as bodily memories – in the form of chronic tension, numbness, internal agitation, or a sense of disconnection from oneself and from others.

This body-oriented, biopsychological approach makes it possible to gradually and safely complete unfinished responses, allowing the nervous system to release accumulated activation and restore internal balance. A person who is caught in chronic fear, anxiety, irritability, freeze, or exhaustion can gradually begin to experience greater safety, stability, and inner calm.

Importantly, this work does not require detailed verbal recounting of traumatic events. Therapy focuses instead on noticing bodily sensations, emotions, thoughts, images, and subtle physical signals that arise in connection with overwhelming experiences.

Therapy unfolds gradually and in a carefully paced way, attuned to what the individual’s nervous system can tolerate. The process takes place within a safe therapeutic relationship, where attuned presence and respect for boundaries support nervous system regulation and allow for new experiences of safety – both in the body and in relationship.

What this approach can support:

• gradual resolution of the effects of shock trauma and other overwhelming experiences,

• processing of early trauma, including perinatal experiences,

• reduction of chronic tension, internal agitation, numbness, or freeze responses,

• strengthening the nervous system’s capacity for regulation and coping with stress,

• a greater sense of inner safety, stability, and embodied presence,

• a gradual return of spontaneity, vitality, and a sense of connection with oneself and with others.

The approach

The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) is a holistic, psychodynamic, and body-oriented approach designed to work with the effects of developmental and relational trauma, particularly those rooted in childhood and adolescence.

Many emotional, relational, and even physical symptoms do not arise solely from isolated traumatic events, but from unmet core developmental needs and from survival strategies that developed in contexts of neglect, abuse, chronic misattunement, or lack of safety. These strategies — often referred to as survival styles — include mental, emotional, bodily, and behavioral patterns that once helped us survive, but in adulthood often limit our capacity for closeness, spontaneity, and a sense of self-worth.

NARM focuses primarily on the present moment — on how these past patterns show up today in our inner experience, relationships, and self-image. Through the gradual recognition and understanding of these patterns, we can begin to let go of defensive strategies that no longer serve us, while strengthening healthy, vital, and connected aspects of the self.

Therapy supports the strengthening of personal and relational capacities such as a sense of secure attachment and belonging, autonomy and authenticity, the ability to set boundaries without excessive guilt, self-respect that is not based on appearance or achievement, and an integrated connection between emotional intimacy, embodiment, and sexuality.

What this approach can support:

• gradual recognition and loosening of limiting beliefs and identity- and relationship-based patterns,

• processing developmental and childhood trauma,

• greater inner stability and increased capacity to meet life’s challenges,

• support for secure connection alongside the development of autonomy and authenticity,

• strengthening a sense of self-worth that is not based on adaptation or pleasing others.