What is it?

According to the theory behind DBR, when something scary happens, the body reacts in a certain order, very fast:

1. Orienting. First, your head, eyes and neck turn toward the danger, to find out “Where is it?”
2. Shock. Sometimes there is a sudden jolt of shock or horror, like being frozen or punched in the chest.
3. Feelings. Then come the big feelings: fear, anger, sadness or shame.

The theory says all of this starts deep in the brain, in an old part near the top of the brainstem, before you have time to think about it.

The idea behind DBR is that the shock can get “stuck” down there. Many therapies start with the feelings or the thoughts, but according to Dr. Corrigan, if the shock underneath is never touched, the trauma can keep coming back. DBR tries to go to the beginning of the chain and let the stuck shock finally release.

DBR was created by Dr. Frank Corrigan, a psychiatrist from Scotland. He first wrote about it in 2020.

How does it work?

The key piece of DBR is something called the orienting tension. It is described as a small, quiet tightness, usually around the eyes, the face, the back of the head or the neck. According to the theory, it is the body getting ready to turn toward the danger, even if you never actually move.

In DBR, you learn to notice that tension and hold onto it. It becomes like an anchor. The idea is that while you stay connected to that anchor, you can feel the shock and the feelings underneath without getting swept away by them.

What happens in a session?

1. Grounding first. You start by feeling where you are right now: your body in the chair, your feet on the floor.
2. A small moment. You bring up just one small moment of a memory or a trigger, not the whole story. Just the instant that grabs your attention most.
3. Finding the tension. You notice the orienting tension, usually in your face, head or neck, and keep paying attention to it.
4. Letting it unfold. While holding onto that tension, you notice whatever comes next: shock, shaking, a hollow feeling, or a feeling like fear or sadness. Much of this happens quietly, without a lot of talking.
5. Slowing down. If it gets too strong, you slow your breathing with long, slow breaths out, or go back to the tension again.

You don’t have to tell the whole story of what happened. DBR works with the body’s reactions more than with words.

When is it used?

DBR is used for PTSD and trauma, especially:

• Trauma that hasn’t gotten better with other therapies
• Shock and horror that still feel present years later
• Attachment wounds: when wanting to be close to someone also makes you want to pull away

DBR is still new. The first research study comparing it to a waitlist was published in 2023. People in that study who had DBR reported fewer PTSD symptoms afterward. It was one small study, so much more research is still needed.

Related terms

• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Polyvagal Theory
• Window of Tolerance
• Grounding
• PTSD and C-PTSD