NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM™)
Will definitely start in 2025!
The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM™)is an advanced clinical training for mental health and somatic practitioners who work with developmental trauma. NARM addresses relational and attachment trauma by working with early, unconscious patterns of disconnection that deeply affect our identity, emotions, physiology, behavior and relationships. Integrating a psychodynamic and body centered approach, NARM offers a comprehensive theoretical and clinical model for working with developmental trauma.
NARM draws on psychodynamic models such as attachment and object relations theory, and somatic and character structure approaches, in addressing the link between psychological issues and the body. Working relationally in the present moment, and within a context of interpersonal neurobiology, NARM offers a new approach of working relationally that is a resource-oriented, non-regressive, non-cathartic, and ultimately non-pathologizing model.
Grounded in what NARM calls somatic mindfulness, NARM is influenced by a non-western orientation to the nature of the identity. Learning how to work simultaneously with these diverse elements represents a radical shift that has profound clinical implications for healing complex trauma and supporting personal and relational growth.
For more information about the NARM-method, click here
I looked forward to attending every class, the material was relevant, challenging and extremely well and professionally presented. the course structure was optimal. michael is a well informed teacher who has a mastery based in deep understanding and simplicity in delivery which was very effective and supportive of experiential learning with an open door policy which invited comments and questions. the online forum was surprisingly functional and was run professionally seamlessly the assistants were helpful and effective in their attendance and guidance
The NARM way of working provides a gentle, finely tuned and focused method by which the core dilemma of my clients comes to awareness and resolves in the conversation. Next to beautiful questions and increasing clarity about the process, I take with me the being present and curious, quieting my own inner process to be in open connection with my clients
I am almost 65 now, so maybe I am in the last years of my profesional career as a psychologist. But I am so glad I signed up for this training; I has given my so much insight and so many resources. It has helped a lot my in my work as a therapist but also in my personal development, which is -according to me- the basis for my work als a therapist.
Een manier van werken die een enorme bijdrage is aan de opties die ik heb als therapeut/coach. Vooral het concept over de 'agency' van de client en hoe daaraan bij te dragen.
Trainer
Location
De Poort, GroesbeekLanguage
Teachings are in English. Practicing-groups, individual sessions and supervisions can also be in Dutch
Our students are
Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Bodypsychotherapists who completed a training in a psychotherapeutic or body-psychotherapeutic method and/or who can show their sufficient psychotherapeutic skills by their registration with a therapeutic professional association supplemented by PLATO requirements (PSBK/MBK)
We ask you to have at least 2 years of practical experience with regular patient/client contact.
If you have any doubts about whether you meet these requirements, feel free to apply. Your application will be reviewed by the intake committee.
Study time
1,5 Year, 4 modules.
Every module consists of 5 trainingdays.
Introductory workshop NARM
It is possible to follow the introductory workshop, this is not required.
Data new group
- module 1 February 4 until 8, 2025
- module 2 June 28 until July 2, 2025
- module 3 December 4 until 8, 2025
- module 4 May 1 until 5, 2026
Working hours
Day 1-4: 10:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 18:00
Day 5: 10:00 – 13:00 and 14:30 – 17:00
Costs
4 modules of 5 days Trainingprice |
Complete training: € 4.150,- |
10 Supervisions 10 Sessions |
Price per Session: €100,-* |
Day arrangement for Plenair room, lunch & coffee/tea |
Per module: € 235,-* |
Optional
Dining & overnight stay incl. day arrangement | Per module: ±€ 550,-* |
*Costs are based on former years and can change.
Training information (for PDF download click here)
The NARM Practitioner Training consists of 120 CEU hours divided into 4 live modules. The 4 live modules will be held for a total of 20 days over the period of the training.
The live modules are typically spaced 4 – 6 months apart to allow time for continued study, practice and peer meetings in support of greater integration of the NARM clinical approach.
Supplementary learning opportunities include study and practice groups, individual and group consultation, individual NARM sessions and other learning intensives.
The trainer, Michael Mokrus is trained by Dr. L. Heller, founder of NARM
In the NARM Practitioner Training you will learn:
- The different skills needed to work with developmental versus shock trauma; when and why shock trauma interventions may be contraindicated in working with developmental trauma.
- How to address the complex interplay between nervous system dysregulation and identity distortions, such as toxic shame and guilt, low self-esteem, chronic self-judgment, and other psychobiological symptoms.
- How to work moment-by-moment with early adaptive survival styles that, while once life-saving, distort clients’ current life experience.
- When to work ‘bottom-up’, when to work ‘top-down’, and how to work with both simultaneously to meet the special challenges of developmental trauma.
- How to support clients with a mindful and progressive process of disidentification from identity distortions.
- A new, coherent theory for working with affect and emotions, which aims to support their psychobiological completion.
All modules include a combination of 2 complimentary instruction approaches:
1. Didactic and theoretical learning: including lecture, question and answer periods, class-wide discussion, case consultation, and deconstruction of live-demonstrations and videos.
• Please note that this training presents highly advanced psychological learning that involves complex, often evocative and transformative material on trauma.
2. Experiential learning: including self-inquiry exercises, small group activities, roleplays, active coaching and guided skill practice.
• Please note that this training presents an opportunity for clinical development based on direct personal experience that involves complex, often evocative and transformative material on trauma.
The order of content may be subject to change.
Module 1 includes:
• NARM Organizing Principles
• NARM Theoretical Orientation
• Differentiating Interventions for working with Shock vs. Developmental Trauma
• Working with Top-Down and Bottom-Up Integrative Approach
• Tracking Connection & Disconnection
• Developmental Process: Attachment & Separation-Individuation
• Reframing Attachment and Attachment Loss
• Distortions of Life Force Model
• Distress and Healing Cycles
• Overview of 5 Adaptive Survival Styles
• Connection Survival Style
• Clinical Model: NARM 4 Pillars
• NARM Pillar 1: Establishing a Therapeutic “Contract”
• NARM Pillar 2: Asking Exploratory Questions (Including: Deconstruction of Experience in the function of Disidentification)
• NARM Relational Model
Module 2 includes:
• Working Hypothesis
• Identifying Core Dilemma: Core Themes vs Survival Strategies (Behaviors, Symptoms, etc.)
• Attunement Survival Style
• Autonomy Survival Style
• Dual Awareness: Working in Present Time with Developemental Themes
• NARM Pillar 3: Supporting Agency (Agency as the Foundation for the Development of the Adult Self)
• NARM Pillar 4: Reflecting Psychobiological Shifts towards increasing Connection
• NARM Languaging
• NARM and the Body
Module 3 includes:
• NARM-Model for Working with Affect
• Primary vs Default Emotions
• Emotional Completion
• The Psychobiological Process of Shame (“Shame as a Verb”, “Shame as a Process not a State”)
• Working with Anger/Aggression & Sadness/Grief
• Working with Shame, Guilt & Self-Hatred
• Countertransference Dynamics in NARM
• Unmanaged Empathy and Therapist Efforting
• Narcissism and Objectification of Self
• Narcissistic vs Sadistic Abuse
• Trust Survival Style
• Love-Sexuality Survival Style
• NARM Personality Spectrum: Organized Self – Adaptive Self – Disorganized Self
Module 4 includes:
• Deepening Study into the Connection Survival Style Issues, Symptoms and Related Disorders
• The Interplay of the Survival Styles: Primary and Secondary Patterns
• Revisiting the Dynamics of Attachment, Separation-Individuation, Attachment Loss and the Core Dilemma
• Relationships, Couples, Intimacy and Sexuality
• Working with Identity
• Transgenerational Trauma
• Disidentification Process
• Freedom from Identity
• Post-Traumatic Growth
• Resiliency: Supporting the Capacity to Tolerate Increasing Complexity
• Addressing Identity from both a Psychological, Non-Western and Spiritual Perspective
• Integrating NARM Effectively into Our Clinical Practice