At Family First, we believe that teens can find long-term and sustainable healing from the most common and complex mental health challenges they face. That’s why we look beyond surface-level behaviors and explore the underlying issues, like unresolved trauma. The NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM) helps uncover and process developmental trauma so teens can heal.
When you’re concerned about your teen’s isolation, substance use, reckless behaviors, screen addiction, or overall mental health, we can help. Our team has more than 120 years of combined clinical experience that we use to guide our therapy services for teens. There is a better way forward for your teen, and we can help. Call 888.904.5947 now to get started.
Understanding Developmental Trauma
Developmental trauma is a term used to describe the deep emotional and psychological wounds that occur due to adverse experiences during formative years. Imagine your teen’s development as a building being constructed. Ideally, every brick laid forms a solid foundation for the next. But when traumatic events occur, some bricks get misplaced or left out, leading to an unstable structure that can affect their growth and ability to cope with stress.
When we address developmental trauma, we are working to patch those misplaced bricks, allowing your teen to rebuild a strong and resilient personality. This process can be challenging, but with the right therapeutic support, your child can heal, grow, and thrive.
NARM: The NeuroAffective Relational Model®
NARM® is a therapeutic approach to healing developmental trauma that helps establish a healthy connection between body and mind. It explores an individual’s emotional connection, functional organization, identity, and sense of self. It puts the focus on the present and teaches clients how to regulate their nervous system.
Many traditional models of psychology are regressive. They focus on the past by bringing awareness to the client’s disorganized and dysfunctional characteristics. NARM® is non-regressive and focuses on the present parts of the self that are organized, functional, and coherent.
The ultimate aim of NARM® therapy is to improve emotional self-regulation while strengthening interpersonal connections.
The Five Developmental Themes of NARM® Therapy for Adolescents
The NeuroAffective Relational Model® lays out five developmental life themes that are necessary for healthy emotional self-regulation. These themes affect a teen’s ability to be present to themselves and to others.
Connection
In order to feel a sense of connection and belonging in the world, teens must be in touch with their bodies and emotions. This strengthens their connection with others.
Attunement
Knowing, understanding, and recognizing their needs is necessary in order to accept the abundance that life offers.
Trust
Teens must develop an inherent trust in themselves and in others. This paves the way for healthy, interdependent relationships.
Autonomy
It is important to establish healthy boundaries for themselves and for those around them. They must be able to say no when necessary and learn to be honest without guilt or fear.
Love and Intimacy
In order to foster healthy relationships, a teen’s heart must be open; only then will they be able to truly connect with a loving relationship. Challenging thoughts about intimacy and romance make adolescence especially challenging.
How We Use NARM® Therapy for Teens
Our NARM® therapy program follows the core principles of the model to help our teens explore deep-rooted trauma.
- Exploring relationships – Therapists guide teens on how relationships affect behavior. For example, we explore how attachment and early childhood experiences shape your teen’s behaviors, thoughts, and emotions.
- Using nervous-system-based therapy – Teens are taught somatic mindfulness to anchor self-regulation skills that help them stay present and manage their emotions in real-time.
- Providing context – We reinforce their new skills by providing context so they can understand how their mind affects their bodies. This involves practicing the self-regulation skills we teach them.
- Recognizing identity – The NARM® approach makes it easier for teens to identify who they are and any counter-ideas they have about themselves. This process helps them develop a clearer understanding of their authentic selves, which can lead to long-term healing and growth.
When your teen comes to Family First, we provide a safe and caring environment for them to explore their emotions, experiences, and relationships. Our experienced therapists use NARM® programming to help him address developmental trauma and build a strong foundation for a healthy future.
FAQs About NARM® Therapy
Is NARM® Effective?
NARM® therapy has promising outcomes, especially in the areas of self-knowledge and resilience. Both of these areas are vital to processing and healing from developmental trauma—especially relational trauma. One study shows that therapists are able to finely attune with clients during sessions and make progress while maintaining the clients’ abilities to remain in the present.1
What Does a NARM® Session Look Like?
NARM® therapy sessions are client-centered, meaning they focus on what the client needs at that specific time. Each session is tailored to meet the individual’s unique developmental trauma and experiences, allowing teens to explore and understand their life experiences.
During a NARM® session, your teen may be encouraged to explore their emotions and reactions in a safe, supportive environment. One key focus is that therapists help guide clients through their experience, not just their thoughts.
What Does NARM® Do?
NARM® helps teens connect with parts of their inner selves that are organized and functional. This allows them to notice and pay attention to parts that are disorganized and/or dysfunctional. This perspective allows teens to begin rebuilding a strong and resilient sense of self—something that is damaged by developmental trauma.
What Is NARM® Contracting?
Contracting in NARM® therapy helps teens recognize the goals they want to achieve and “contract” themselves to achieve those goals. We work with teens to create contracts that they can realistically fulfill and feel empowered to achieve.
Can NARM® Help with Anger?
Yes, NARM® therapy can help with anger. Developmental trauma events and C-PTSD often lead to emotional dysregulation, which can cause explosive emotions and anger. By gaining perspective and recognizing their experiences with anger, teens can learn how to regulate their emotions and express themselves in a healthier way.
Call Family First for a Teen NARM® Therapy Program in Florida
If you have concerns about your son’s mental health and well-being, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Family First. Our teen NARM® therapy program in Florida can help your son heal from deep-rooted developmental trauma. Contact us online or at 888.904.5947 today to find the help he needs.
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