Sebern Fisher – Developmental Trauma and The Fear-Driven Brain: Applied Neuroscience to Provide Hope and Healing in Trauma Treatment

Outline

Insecure Attachment and Developmental TraumaInsecure Attachment and Developmental Trauma

• Neuronal patterns of PTSDNeuronal patterns of PTSD
• The innate potential for relationshipThe innate potential for relationship
• Unrepaired attachment disruptionUnrepaired attachment disruption
• The inheritance of insecure attachment – the state of baseline survival fearThe inheritance of insecure attachment – the state of baseline survival fear
• Long-term consequences – void of selfLong-term consequences – void of self

The Fear-Driven Brain: The Fear-Driven Brain: Adverse Childhood Experiences and TraumaAdverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma

• The traumatized brain The traumatized brain
  • The autonomic and central nervous systemsThe autonomic and central nervous systems
  • The brainstem and hypothalamusThe brainstem and hypothalamus
  • The cerebellum, hemispheres and lobes of the brainThe cerebellum, hemispheres and lobes of the brain
• Neurodevelopmental consequences Neurodevelopmental consequences
  • Impaired brain developmentImpaired brain development
  • Impaired emotional regulation and impulse controlImpaired emotional regulation and impulse control
  • Dysregulated stress responseDysregulated stress response
  • Alterations in physical growthAlterations in physical growth
  • Telomeres and cellular agingTelomeres and cellular aging
• The firing and misfiring of neural networksThe firing and misfiring of neural networks
• Parasympathetic Nervous System shutdown and the vagal nerve Parasympathetic Nervous System shutdown and the vagal nerve
  • Polyvagal Theory in trauma practice – PorgesPolyvagal Theory in trauma practice – Porges
• The role of glial cellsThe role of glial cells
• Accessing brain plasticityAccessing brain plasticity

Arousal, Reactivity, and Affect Dysregulation in TraumaArousal, Reactivity, and Affect Dysregulation in Trauma

• Overarousal and affect dysregulationOverarousal and affect dysregulation
• Primary, sub-cortical and right hemisphere affectsPrimary, sub-cortical and right hemisphere affects
• The inherent limits of talk therapyThe inherent limits of talk therapy
• Chronic baseline fear and self-reflectionChronic baseline fear and self-reflection
• The role of affect regulation in therapeutic effectivenessThe role of affect regulation in therapeutic effectiveness

Stop Letting Fear, Shame and Rage Hijack Trauma TreatmentStop Letting Fear, Shame and Rage Hijack Trauma Treatment

• Shortcomings of medicationShortcomings of medication
• The relationship between fear and shameThe relationship between fear and shame
• Cognition in “survival mode”Cognition in “survival mode”
• Manifestations of limbically driven emotionsManifestations of limbically driven emotions
• Neurofeedback and the pulses of fear, shame and rageNeurofeedback and the pulses of fear, shame and rage

Fear as the Core of Transference: Fear as the Core of Transference: Handle Transference and Counter-Transference IssuesHandle Transference and Counter-Transference Issues

• Critical interpersonal dynamics – a partnership in affect regulationCritical interpersonal dynamics – a partnership in affect regulation
• Impacts on the therapeutic bondImpacts on the therapeutic bond
• Minimize intense transferenceMinimize intense transference
• Cultivate presence and attunementCultivate presence and attunement
• Neurofeedback and quieting the alarm of abandonmentNeurofeedback and quieting the alarm of abandonment

Neurofeedback as Applied Neuroscience in Psychotherapy: Neurofeedback as Applied Neuroscience in Psychotherapy: Essentials and AssessmentEssentials and Assessment

• The risks of treatmentThe risks of treatment
• Shift the burden of affect regulation from the therapist to the trainingShift the burden of affect regulation from the therapist to the training
• A new experience of homeostasisA new experience of homeostasis
• Firing, frequencies, and arousalFiring, frequencies, and arousal
• Strengthen circuitsStrengthen circuits
• State dependence – fear states dysregulateState dependence – fear states dysregulate
• States to traitsStates to traits

Quiet Fear with Neurofeedback: Quiet Fear with Neurofeedback: Integrate Neurofeedback into TraumaIntegrate Neurofeedback into Trauma TreatmentTreatment

• When to talk and when to trainWhen to talk and when to train
• Clinical assessment for neurofeedback Clinical assessment for neurofeedback
  • Attention, anxiety, depression, etc.Attention, anxiety, depression, etc.
• Considerations regarding sexuality and medicationConsiderations regarding sexuality and medication
• Work with sensors, placementsWork with sensors, placements
• Identify maladaptive patterns of neuronal firingIdentify maladaptive patterns of neuronal firing
• Using EEG – frequencies and amplitudesUsing EEG – frequencies and amplitudes
• Adjust function – operant conditioning of brain wavesAdjust function – operant conditioning of brain waves
• Feedback – change the frequencies attributed to over-arousal Feedback – change the frequencies attributed to over-arousal
  • Inhibit frequencies you want less ofInhibit frequencies you want less of
  • Reward frequencies you want more ofReward frequencies you want more of
  • Reward disconnected areas to connect or overly connected parts to disconnectReward disconnected areas to connect or overly connected parts to disconnect
• When training plateaus – lack of progress is not resistanceWhen training plateaus – lack of progress is not resistance
• How do you know when training is over?How do you know when training is over?

Who Will I Be When I’m Not Afraid: Who Will I Be When I’m Not Afraid: Working with the Fear-Bound IdentityWorking with the Fear-Bound Identity

• A trauma identity inextricably bound to fearA trauma identity inextricably bound to fear
• The healing paradoxThe healing paradox
• Treatment challenges when fear begins to quietTreatment challenges when fear begins to quiet
• Transition clients to an unfamiliar identity Transition clients to an unfamiliar identity
  • Integration of new state, new traits and new sense of selfIntegration of new state, new traits and new sense of self