Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) Therapists in Toronto, ON

What is Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)?

Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) is a relatively new trauma-focused therapy developed by Frank Corrigan and Alastair Hull, based on neurobiological research on the orienting response — the brain's automatic response to a sudden or significant stimulus. The theory proposes that traumatic events are not primarily stored as memories but as frozen orienting responses — incomplete reactions that the brain never finished processing because the event was too overwhelming. DBR works by gently reactivating and completing these subcortical shock responses in a safe, titrated way within the therapeutic relationship.

How does DBR differ from other trauma therapies?

Unlike EMDR or CPT, which work primarily with traumatic memories and associated beliefs, DBR works at an even more fundamental neurobiological level — targeting the subcortical shock and orienting responses that precede the formation of traumatic memory. DBR is particularly focused on the physical and autonomic body experience in the moments before and during the traumatic event, rather than the narrative memory of what happened. It is often described as working "before the story."

What does DBR treat?

DBR is used primarily for trauma — particularly complex developmental trauma, trauma that has not responded to other approaches, and pre-verbal or early-life trauma that is not accessible through memory-based therapies. It is also used for PTSD, dissociative conditions, and the residual effects of overwhelming shock experiences. Because it works at subcortical levels, it may be useful when people struggle to engage with or tolerate more cognitive or memory-focused trauma approaches.

What does a DBR session look like?

DBR sessions are typically slow, quiet, and focused on very subtle physical and physiological experiences. The therapist guides the client to gently attend to the tension, bracing, or orienting sensations that arise when turning attention toward a traumatic event or period. The work stays at the level of these physical sensations rather than moving into narrative or imagery, allowing the subcortical response to complete and discharge naturally. Sessions can look uneventful from the outside while significant internal processing is occurring.

Is DBR widely available in Canada?

DBR is a relatively new approach (developed formally around 2019) and is not yet widely available — training is limited and the number of certified practitioners is small. It has generated interest in trauma therapy circles, but its evidence base is still in early stages. Those interested in DBR may need to search specifically for practitioners who have received DBR training, and may find that virtual delivery is an option given limited geographic availability.