Your modality isn’t the most important thing

Most practitioners know that debating which modality is best is futile and pointless.

Research shows that only 15% of treatment success can be put down to the modality itself. At least 30% is due to the working relationship between practitioner and client. That leaves about half for other factors. The trust the client has in the therapist (and their method) scores highly.

Nonetheless, although the modality has only a small effect, the lens we use to approach the work shouldn't be ignored. Lenses are different to modalities – the advantage of a lens is that it can be tweaked to fit many modalities.

Theoretical approaches, such as Polyvagal theory and Attachment theory (which require Polyvagal therapy training and attachment therapy training), are two lenses I use to think about client problems. Another element I consider is the order of neurological processing – whether to start ‘bottom up’ or ‘top down’.

Read more about working with clients here.

In R.E.S.T. Relational Embodiment Somatic Therapy® Practitioner Training, we explore the differences between traditional ‘talk’ therapy and somatic psychotherapy. Students learn about the categories of ‘top-down’ processing and ‘bottom-up’ processing, and which one to use at various stages of trauma treatment.

Top-down processing integrates trauma by talking and thinking about verbal memories and/or cognitive patterns.

Bottom-up processing integrates trauma by bringing awareness to sensations and non-verbal memories in the body.

When dealing with trauma, research confirms that a bottom-up approach is the most beneficial to use. Somatic (bottom-up) approaches are more effective for trauma renegotiation and resolution because traumatic material stored in the body is processed before moving on to cognitive reframing and top-down methods.

A holistic approach to healing trauma includes both top-down and bottom-up processing, though the order is critical. Both are important to heal the impact of trauma in clients’ lives.

Become a qualified R.E.S.T. Relational Embodiment Somatic Trauma® therapist

We are now accepting applications for the second round of R.E.S.T. Relational Embodiment Somatic Therapy® Practitioner Training – request the prospectus.

Sign up for R.E.S.T.® by July 31st, 2023, you’ll get a bonus 1:1 session. You’ll also be able to upgrade to VIP and receive 1:1 sessions at a subsidised rate so you can start your embodiment training journey straight away.

These 1:1 sessions are hugely transformational and can lead to significant breakthroughs – we can talk about this more when you book a call with me to discuss your participation in the training.

The call is your opportunity to ‘feel’ me out, ask questions and better understand how this program can open the way into something bigger, deeper, greater in your practitioner journey. There will be no selling from me - just honest conversation and generous sharing to help you on your way.

Or if you’re not quite ready to chat yet, start here to find out more.

Sound healing - R.E.S.T.® offers a trauma-informed framework that fits any modality