Effective Neuro-Somatic Healing Modalities

Last week I promised to offer up a few of the treatment modalities I’m familiar with that seem to work in helping to access, process and integrate disorganized memories and experiences (trauma) stored in the body and brain. This list is by no means intended to be exhaustive, and it’s good to understand that I have learned of them primarily as first or second hand anecdotal accounts. Realizing that, recognize that not all modalities work on all conditions, nor do they work well with all people. Also, different practitioners possess different levels of skill. Some of these treatments have large numbers of vocal critics, and a search of the Internet will provide you with their countering viewpoints. One important factor in a successful treatment outcome often seems to be how well you resonate with a practitioner “right brain to right brain.” That is, how much you really “feel felt” by that person. This is not surprising, since right brain to right brain resonance between parent and child is theorized to be one primary driver in children’s early neural development. So, with that caveat in mind, here we go (Click on the name of any treatment type and it will take you to a page that provides more descriptive detail about that modality)…

Advanced Integrative Therapy (Seemorg) – Asha Clinton

Berkal Technique – Beverly Berkal

Coherence Therapy – Bruce Ecker

Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) – Francine Shapiro

Cranial Sacral Therapy – John Upledger

Emotional Freedom Techniques – Gary Craig

Hanna Somatics – Thomas Hanna

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Neurofeedback – Lee Gerdes

Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics – Bruce Perry

Somatic Experiencing – Peter Levine

Sensorimotor Psychotherapy – Pat Ogden

Hakomi – Ron Kurtz

Holotropic Breathwork – Stan Grof

Thought Field Therapy – Roger Callahan

City at Peace – Paul Griffin

The one modality that most resonates with my right brain from this list is the last one, City at Peace. From a social neurobiological perspective it is brilliantly conceived and masterfully integrated and applied. It provides a context that empowers kids in supporting each other to access, identify and tell the hard truths about their most painful life experiences. It then provides a structure which enlists the heart, brain, mind and body in expressing those painful experiences in physical movements – often bimodal – that result in healing, “triumphant actions.” If you ever have a chance to view the documentary that HBO did several years ago, download the iTunes short, or attend a City at Peace performance, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so. Or better yet, gather together a bunch of friends and start a local chapter in your own nearbyhood.

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