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Find a certified trauma and dissociation specialist. Search our global provider directory to connect with a trusted Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) clinician. Browse the official global TMT directory for Certified Clinicians that treat complex PTSD, trauma, abuse, and all other mental health issues. WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO MEET Jefferson Sharif Muteesasira Medical School Student, Uganda Accepting Clients Yes Meeting Options I am currently in medical school Practices In Uganda TMT Designation Trauma Model Therapy Level 1 Clinician Clinical Bio I am a recent university graduate holding a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). Throughout my academic and medical journey, I developed a distinct, profound interest in psychiatry and mental health. This passion drove me to seek specialized training in Trauma Model Therapy - a milestone I am deeply grateful to achieve. Clinically, my focus is directed toward understanding and treating Dissociative Disorders and depression. I am also highly dedicated to clinical research, specifically examining how biosocial and environmental factors influence our psychological well-being. What I Really Want You to Know I want potential clients and the public to know that mental health is deeply woven into the fabric of our everyday lives, though it often remains disguised. Across Uganda and much of Africa, generational trauma and mental health dynamics quietly shape how parents raise children, choose marriage partners, and navigate family life. When you combine these relational patterns with our complex economic and political landscapes—all accelerating in the face of globalization—it is clear why we are seeing a rise in mental illness. I want you to know that your struggles do not exist in a vacuum; they are profoundly shaped by the world around you, and you deserve a space where that entire context is understood and respected. How I Weave Trauma Model Therapy Into My Practice In my practice, I utilize the systematic, precise, and user-friendly principles of Trauma Model Therapy to help patients connect the dots between their past trauma and their current mental health challenges. Having been privileged to utilize TMT's screening and diagnostic tools, I have also recognized a vital area for growth: many standardized western tools are not fully tailored to the unique cultural and geographical realities of populations here in Uganda. My goal is to bridge this gap. As I advance through future levels of TMT training to deepen my clinical skills in traumatic stress and dissociation, I intend to advocate for and work toward adapting these powerful diagnostic tools to make them genuinely inclusive and effective for diverse African populations. Visit My Website to Book < Back to List of Providers Previous Next BOOKING DETAILS I'm a Good Match For... Women Men Children (6-11) Preteens (11-13) Teens (14-18) Adults (18-25) Adults (26-54) Adults (55+) Fee Details I am currently enrolled in medical school Appointment Availability I am currently enrolled in medical school Languages Spoken Ganda (Luganda) English MORE ABOUT MY PRACTICE INSURANCES ACCEPTED I do not accept insurance SERVICES OFFERED I am currently enrolled in medical school MODELS & METHODS Existential Therapy I CAN HELP WITH Dissociative Identity Disorder Spirituality < Back to List of Providers Previous Next LEARN ABOUT THIS CLINICIAN'S TMT DESIGNATIONS Trauma Model Therapy Level 1 Clinician A TMT Level 1 Clinician provides a safe, expert-vetted therapeutic approach grounded in a thorough understanding of trauma adaptation and the spectrum of dissociation. These practitioners utilize objective assessment data to deliver clear diagnostic answers while non-pathologizingly reframing complex symptoms as brilliant survival strategies. More Details < Back to List of Providers Previous Next

Learn more about Trauma Model Therapy THERAPEUTIC NEUTRALITY < Back Previous Next In Trauma Model Therapy (TMT), Therapeutic Neutrality is the deliberate clinical practice of staying out of the Victim-Rescuer-Perpetrator Triangle, AKA The VRP Triangle. It isn't about being with a cold provider or blank-wall clinician. Rather, it is a stable and neutral stance where the clinician empowers you to learn how to trust your own judgment and see yourself as the expert of your own life. Also, the clinician doesn't sides in the the your internal or external conflicts, ensuring that the power and the credit for healing remain firmly in your hands. How it Benefits the Person Seeking Help For a survivor, a neutral mental health clinician is often the first person in their life who doesn't try to fix, save, or control them. This benefits the person seeking mental health care in three primary ways: Restores the Locus of Control: If a clinician acts as a Rescuer, they inadvertently send the message that the client is a Victim who is too weak to save themselves. Neutrality proves to the client or patient that they have the internal resources to do the work. Creates a Shame-Free Zone: When a clinician is neutral, the client doesn't have to worry about disappointing the clinician or taking care of the clinician’s feelings. This allows for total honesty regarding relapses, dark thoughts, or stuck points. Safety from the Perpetrator Flip: Most trauma survivors know that Rescuers eventually become Perpetrators when they get tired of helping. By never taking the Rescuer role, the clinician remains a safe, predictable anchor who won't turn on the client when things get difficult. Why it is Important for the Clinician For the TMT Clinician, neutrality is the ultimate tool for burnout prevention and clinical clarity: Boundary Protection: It allows the clinician to be deeply empathetic without becoming enmeshed. The therapist can care for the person without carrying the person’s burden, which is essential for a 15-year or 40-year career. (Like Dr. Ross!) Objective Observation: Staying out of the "triangle pretzel" allows the clinician to see the survival logic of the person’s behavior. If the therapist is busy being an emotional hero, they will miss the subtle cues of how the client or patient is trying to recreate their past trauma in the room. Sustainable Energy: It reinforces the TMT principle that the TMT Clinician is an expert guide, not the engine of treatment. This prevents the compassion fatigue that comes from trying to force change upon someone who isn't ready. Why TMT Values it for the Therapeutic Relationship TMT views the therapeutic relationship as a live laboratory for healthy relating. Neutrality is essential for this because: It Breaks the Unhelpful Blueprint: Most trauma survivors have a relational blueprint that only includes victims, rescuers, and perpetrators. A neutral clinician offers a fourth option: a stable, empowered partner. This is a corrective emotional experience that can be applied to all other relationships. It Promotes The End of Treatment: TMT is conducted with the end in mind. If a relationship is built on the client needing a Rescuer, the client can never leave. Neutrality makes the therapist disposable in the best way—it ensures the person leaves treatment knowing they were the ones who did the swimming to get to shore. It Honors the Whole Person: By remaining neutral, the therapist can validate the protector parts of the person that might be resisting change, rather than fighting against them. This creates a unified team approach where the person and the clinician are looking at the problem together, rather than the clinician fixing the patient or the client. Learn more about how TMT CAN HELP YOU HEAL Learn more about TMT FOR MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS

Find a certified trauma and dissociation specialist. Search our global provider directory to connect with a trusted Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) clinician. Browse the official global TMT directory for Certified Clinicians that treat complex PTSD, trauma, abuse, and all other mental health issues. WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO MEET Jill Hosey, LICSW, RSW LICSW, Rhode Island License #ISW03600 LICSW, Massachusetts License #LICSW1142342 RSW, Ontario Canada License #818179 Accepting Clients Yes Meeting Options Online Only Practices In Massachusetts Ontario, Canada Rhode Island TMT Designation Trauma Model Therapy Level 1 Clinician Trauma Model Therapy Level 2 Clinician Clinical Bio
 I’m a Registered Social Worker (Ontario) and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (RI, MA) with over 16 years of experience specializing in trauma, attachment, and dissociative conditions across the lifespan. I’m an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, certified in Clinical Hypnosis, and trained in Deep Brain Reorienting, Ego State Therapy, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and the Adult Attachment Interview (DMM). My work is grounded in a phase-oriented, integrative approach, with a strong emphasis on careful assessment, including the use of the SCID-D Interview. What I Really Want You to Know 
I don’t see symptoms as problems to eliminate, but as meaningful adaptations that developed in context. Therapy, as I approach it, isn’t about pushing for change or applying techniques—it’s about understanding your experience with care and precision, and moving at a pace that respects your system. The relationship matters. So does feeling safe enough to be where you are, without needing to be somewhere else. How I Weave Trauma Model Therapy Into My Practice
 I integrate Trauma Model Therapy as part of a broader, individualized approach to care. Its emphasis on careful assessment, differentiation of symptom patterns, and structured yet flexible treatment planning aligns closely with how I think about trauma and dissociation. I draw on TMT alongside EMDR, DBR, and parts-based approaches to support regulation, integration, and meaningful change over time. Visit My Website to Book < Back to List of Providers Previous Next BOOKING DETAILS I'm a Good Match For... Children (6-11) Preteens (11-13) Teens (14-18) Adults (18-25) Adults (26-54) Adults (55+) Fee Details $130-$175 Appointment Availability Not accepting clients Languages Spoken English MORE ABOUT MY PRACTICE INSURANCES ACCEPTED I do not accept insurance SERVICES OFFERED Assessment: SCID-D Individual Counseling Online Counseling MODELS & METHODS Culturally Sensitive Therapy Deep Brain Reorienting Ego State Therapy Existential Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Humanistic Therapy Person-Centered Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Relational Therapy Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) I CAN HELP WITH Dissociative Disorders PTSD Dissociative Identity Disorder Trauma < Back to List of Providers Previous Next LEARN ABOUT THIS CLINICIAN'S TMT DESIGNATIONS Trauma Model Therapy Level 1 Clinician A TMT Level 1 Clinician provides a safe, expert-vetted therapeutic approach grounded in a thorough understanding of trauma adaptation and the spectrum of dissociation. These practitioners utilize objective assessment data to deliver clear diagnostic answers while non-pathologizingly reframing complex symptoms as brilliant survival strategies. More Details Trauma Model Therapy Level 2 Clinician A TMT Level 2 Clinician possesses advanced expertise in symptom translation, emotional processing, and the seamless integration of survival logic into specialized modalities like EMDR, DBT, and CPT. Operating with strict therapeutic neutrality, these practitioners guide individuals beyond mere symptom management to safely navigate intense affect and resolve the root causes of chronic psychological pain. More Details < Back to List of Providers Previous Next

Find a certified trauma and dissociation specialist. Search our global provider directory to connect with a trusted Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) clinician. Browse the official global TMT directory for Certified Clinicians that treat complex PTSD, trauma, abuse, and all other mental health issues. WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO MEET Kasey Shaw Salyer, LCSW-S Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor, Texas License #62393 Accepting Clients Yes Meeting Options Online & In-Person Practices In Texas TMT Designation Trauma Model Therapy Level 1 Clinician Clinical Bio I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who graduated with my Master of Social Work degree from Baylor University. I started my counseling career working with victims of crime and abuse through a rape crisis center and child advocacy center, and then specialized in working with clients experiencing complex trauma. I am an EMDRIA Approved Consultant™ and utilize TF-CBT and Ego State Therapy as trauma treatment interventions. What I Really Want You to Know After a decade working in this field, what continues to drive my passion and excitement for this work is witnessing the remarkable and ever-evolving ways humans adapt to survive and overcome. That same creativity and resilience that carried my clients through their hardest moments is exactly what I believe holds the power to heal. I love uncovering that resiliency alongside them is what excites me every day. How I Weave Trauma Model Therapy Into My Practice TMT allows us to leverage the unique and personal resiliencies of each person to find their way to heal, adapt and overcome. Clients are able to work with me to integrate the framework of TMT into the skills and processes of EMDR and other models to achieve their version of health, healing, and journey towards the life they desire to live. Visit My Website to Book < Back to List of Providers Previous Next BOOKING DETAILS I'm a Good Match For... Women Transgender Women Men Transgender Men Teens (14-18) Adults (18-25) Adults (26-54) Adults (55+) Fee Details $90-$130 Appointment Availability Not accepting clients Languages Spoken English MORE ABOUT MY PRACTICE INSURANCES ACCEPTED Aetna BCBS HMO Cigna Evernorth (Cigna) Magellan Medicare Oscar UMR Aetna First Health BCBS PPO Curative GEHA Magellan EAP Optum Scott & White (SWHP) United Healthcare SERVICES OFFERED Online Counseling Career Counseling Individual Counseling MODELS & METHODS Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Ego State Therapy Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) I CAN HELP WITH Active Duty Military Issues Adjustment Issues Alcohol Use Autism Depression Dissociative Identity Disorder Self-Esteem Sleep or Insomnia Women's Issues Addiction Adoption Anxiety Behavioral Issues Dissociative Disorders PTSD Sexual Abuse Spirituality < Back to List of Providers Previous Next LEARN ABOUT THIS CLINICIAN'S TMT DESIGNATIONS Trauma Model Therapy Level 1 Clinician A TMT Level 1 Clinician provides a safe, expert-vetted therapeutic approach grounded in a thorough understanding of trauma adaptation and the spectrum of dissociation. These practitioners utilize objective assessment data to deliver clear diagnostic answers while non-pathologizingly reframing complex symptoms as brilliant survival strategies. More Details < Back to List of Providers Previous Next

INTEGRATING MODELS Trauma survivors tend to feel like they are caught in an exhausting loop of negative thoughts and self-sabotaging behaviors that seem to run on autopilot. By integrating the logical architecture of Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) with the practical, evidence-based cognitive restructuring and behavioral tools of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the combination of models helps a person move beyond just tracking triggers or trying to force behavior change to actively interrupting unhelpful cycles. The model combination provides the actionable, day-to-day strategies to reclaim control over one's thoughts and actions in the present, while using the TMT framework to deeply understand and honor the survival logic that created them. TMT Trauma Model Therapy CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy + CBT, originally developed by Dr. Aaron T. Beck, is founded on the premise that an individual’s perception of a situation—rather than the situation itself—determines their emotional, behavioral, and physiological reactions. It operates on a bidirectional triadic model where Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors are interconnected and constantly influencing one another. By modifying dysfunctional thinking and maladaptive behaviors, individuals can fundamentally change their emotional state. THEORY OF THE MODEL The theory of the model for TMT is a trauma-driven, unified theory that views complex psychiatric symptoms as a system of adaptation to childhood trauma and attachment failures. It is a "metapsychology" that bridges biological, psychological, and social domains. In CBT, psychopathology is viewed as the result of systematic errors in thinking, known as cognitive distortions, combined with maladaptive learned behaviors. These distorted patterns are driven by rigid, deeply ingrained core beliefs (schemas) about the self, the world, and others (e.g., "I am unlovable" or "The world is entirely dangerous"). When life events activate these negative schemas, it triggers a cascade of automatic negative thoughts that trap the individual in self-perpetuating cycles of depression, anxiety, or distress. PSYCHOPATHOLOGY CONCEPTUALIZED AS In TMT, psychopathology is conceptualized as a logical and adaptive response to an abnormal environment. Initially, the "disorder" is not located within the individual's biology, but in the relationship between the developing child and a traumatic environment. The trauma can then cause biological dysregulation based on fight-flight-freeze physiology. Much of psychopathology is conceptualized as a dissociative compartmentalization of self-states – dissociation is the central organizing principle that results in a fragmented self organized into discrete self-states, alters or parts. A variety of terms can be used to describe parts. In CBT, symptoms (such as social withdrawal, panic attacks, avoidance, or depressive inertia) are seen as the observable, measurable consequences of underlying cognitive errors and behavioral reinforcement loops. Rather than viewing symptoms as structural flaws in the personality, CBT treats them as learned, functional responses that have become maladaptive. They serve as the direct entry points for intervention. PERSPECTIVE OF SYMPTOMS In TMT, symptoms (e.g., self-harm, eating disorders, addictions, voices) are viewed as survival strategies. They are "solutions" to the problem of unbearable pain when no other coping mechanisms are available. Symptoms are often due to the actions, emotions, or beliefs of dissociated parts, each of which may have its own history, feelings, beliefs and functions. Symptoms are seen as solutions, adaptations, and protective strategies that once helped the person but later create problems when the time, context, and circumstances have changed. CBT makes these assumptions: Cognitions are accessible: Human thinking is conscious or pre-conscious; thoughts can be monitored, identified, and communicated. Cognition mediates behavior: How we think directly dictates how we feel and act; therefore, cognitive change is a primary vehicle for emotional change. Behaviors are learned: Maladaptive behaviors are acquired through conditioning and reinforcement, meaning they can be intentionally unlearned or replaced. Therapy is time-limited and present-focused: While past experiences shape core beliefs, therapy focuses heavily on solving current problems and modifying present day-to-day loops. ASSUMPTIONS TMT assumptions are that most psychopathology is trauma-based. This can involve both Big T and little t trauma. The Locus of Control Shift is a universal cognitive adaptation to abuse. The Problem of Attachment to the Perpetrator is a core clinical conflict. A genuine commitment to recovery is essential. “The problem is not the problem” - symptoms have a function and purpose as survival strategies and defenses. CBT would posit that change occurs through cognitive restructuring and behavioral modification. The mechanism relies on empirical reality-testing. By treating thoughts as hypotheses rather than facts, clients learn to identify distortions, evaluate evidence for and against them, and develop balanced, alternative cognitions. Concurrently, engaging in new behaviors alters reinforcement schedules, providing biological and psychological feedback that dismantles old threat loops. MECHANISMS OF CHANGE The TMT mechanism of change involves cognitive restructuring of trauma-based beliefs (dismantling the "Bad Me" identity) combined with the development of healthier self-regulation skills. Change is driven by relational engagement with a client’s system of parts: the therapist plays an active role in this process, emphasizing psychoeducation, grounding, and commitment to recovery as elements of healing. The system of parts participates in treatment and change through recognition, communication, cooperation, and integration of parts. CBT is highly empirical and quantifies progress through explicit, data-driven markers: Symptom Reduction Scales: Frequent use of standardized psychometric instruments (e.g., Beck Depression Inventory, GAD-7, PHQ-9) to track numerical baseline drops. Frequency of Maladaptive Behaviors: Tracking the literal reduction of target symptoms, such as fewer panic attacks, avoidance behaviors, or outbursts. Cognitive Flexibility: The documented ability of the client to successfully utilize thought records and challenge automatic negative thoughts independently outside of session. HOW IT MEASURES CHANGE TMT measures change in a few ways. Standardized psychometric testing (e.g., DES, DDIS) are utilized. Clinical indicators such as a reduction in self-blame and dissociative "lost time," and an increase in healthy self-regulation. Diagnosis, treatment planning, and interventions flow from mapping and understanding the internal dissociative structure. CBT is a structured, collaborative, and educational process often described as "collaborative empiricism." The therapist and client act as co-investigators using the following steps: Psychoeducation: Teaching the client the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Identification: Utilizing thought records to catch Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) in real-time. Socratic Questioning: The clinician uses targeted questioning to help the client evaluate the logic, validity, and utility of their thoughts. Behavioral Experiments: Designing real-world homework assignments where the client actively tests their catastrophic beliefs to gather data. Skill Building: Training the client in concrete coping strategies, such as relaxation techniques, problem-solving, and assertiveness. HOW IT WORKS TMT works in simple yet powerful ways. TMT is based on 5 core principles and the three phases of any trauma treatment model. 1. Education and Stabilization: building safety, a map of the system, and clarifying the problems to be addressed in therapy. 2. Trauma Processing: including ambivalent attachment patterns and negative self-beliefs. 3. Resolution and Integration: Consolidating the fragmented self. CBT conceptualizes dissociation primarily as an extreme form of cognitive avoidance or a severe disruption in automated information processing. When an individual encounters a trigger that activates an intolerable level of anxiety or a catastrophic core belief, the cognitive system unplugs or "deficits" attention to escape the perceived threat. CBT treats dissociation by identifying the catastrophic automatic thoughts that precede the dissociative episode and implementing present-focused grounding techniques and somatic behavioral strategies to keep processing online. PERSPECTIVE ON DISSOCIATION The TMT perspective of dissociation is that dissociation is a structural defense used to wall off unbearable affect and memories. Dissociation is understood and treated as a primary focus of therapy. Integration in CBT is defined as the functional alignment and structural reorganization of the cognitive ecosystem. It is achieved when rigid, maladaptive core schemas are successfully restructured into flexible, realistic, and adaptive beliefs. Integration means the client's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors work together cohesively, allowing them to process new life experiences accurately without being hijacked by historical cognitive distortions. HOW IT VIEWS INTEGRATION In TMT, Integration is the blending of fragmented parts of the self. It involves the gradual removal of dissociative barriers so that the Self can act as a unified, conscious identity. Integration = increased cooperation followed by blending and sometimes full fusion of parts when and if desired. Not all individuals want full integration. For the Clinician: Blending TMT with CBT allows clinicians to leverage pragmatic, evidence-based tools to disrupt daily negative thought-behavior loops while anchoring those interventions in a deep understanding of the trauma-exposed nervous system. For the Client or Patient: Experiencing the combined approach of TMT and CBT empowers you to actively interrupt automatic, self-sabotaging cycles in your daily thoughts and actions by uncovering and healing the historic survival needs that originally put them on autopilot. "The negative behaviors and thoughts we see in the present are not random pathologies; they are highly organized, historical adaptations to an abnormal environment that must be treated with logic and compassion." — TRAUMA MODEL THERAPY, LEVEL 2 LEARN MORE ABOUT TMT CLINICIANS ...who also utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Dr. Colin A. Ross Texas Kasey Shaw Salyer Texas Will Wysocki Nebraska Cristina Mapelli Italia (Italy) Carlton Hall, LCDC Texas Rachel Allen Texas, Colorado Veronica Gaytan de la Rosa Texas Marvin Rukundo Uganda Lexi Eller Texas Jessica A. Garrett Colorado, Texas Erasmus Ainemukama Uganda Jordan Madden Wisconsin, Minnesota Tabitha Jones Texas Amanda Frey Texas Faith Mosher Texas Laura Tumwine Kirabo Uganda Rebecca Nantale Uganda TMT PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS LEARN HOW TMT INTEGRATES WITH OTHER EVIDENCE-BASED MODELS CBT + TMT Compare CPT + TMT Compare DBT + TMT Compare EST + TMT Compare EMDR +TMT Compare IFS + TMT Compare TIST + TMT Compare

INTEGRATING MODELS Many trauma survivors feel like they are trapped in an unpredictable storm of overwhelming emotions and behavioral impulses they cannot control. By integrating the logical architecture of Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) with the practical emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) created by Marsha M. Linehan, the combination of models helps a person move beyond just firefighting daily emotional crises to establishing genuine internal stability. The model combination provides the immediate behavioral safety to handle intense feelings in the present and the deep framework required to safely decode and heal the past. TMT Trauma Model Therapy DBT Dialectical Behavior Therapy + DBT is built on Biopsychosocial Theory and requires a "dialectical" synthesis of radical acceptance and behavioral change. THEORY OF THE MODEL The theory of the model for TMT is a trauma-driven, unified theory that views complex psychiatric symptoms as a system of adaptation to childhood trauma and attachment failures. It is a "metapsychology" that bridges biological, psychological, and social domains. In DBT, psychopathology is a response that people have to an invalidating environment which can be affected by different vulnerabilities such as biological differences between individuals and/or past experiences (i.e.could be trauma). PSYCHOPATHOLOGY CONCEPTUALIZED AS In TMT, psychopathology is conceptualized as a logical and adaptive response to an abnormal environment. Initially, the "disorder" is not located within the individual's biology, but in the relationship between the developing child and a traumatic environment. The trauma can then cause biological dysregulation based on fight-flight-freeze physiology. Much of psychopathology is conceptualized as a dissociative compartmentalization of self-states – dissociation is the central organizing principle that results in a fragmented self organized into discrete self-states, alters or parts. A variety of terms can be used to describe parts. In DBT, symptoms can be changeable with skill acquisition and utilization. Healing occurs in a validating environment (i.e. therapy or effective social relationships). PERSPECTIVE OF SYMPTOMS In TMT, symptoms (e.g., self-harm, eating disorders, addictions, voices) are viewed as survival strategies. They are "solutions" to the problem of unbearable pain when no other coping mechanisms are available. Symptoms are often due to the actions, emotions, or beliefs of dissociated parts, each of which may have its own history, feelings, beliefs and functions. Symptoms are seen as solutions, adaptations, and protective strategies that once helped the person but later create problems when the time, context, and circumstances have changed. DBT makes the following assumptions: 1. People are doing the best they can. 2. People want to improve. 3. People need to do better, try harder, and be more motivated to change. 4. People may not have caused all of their own problems, but they have to solve them anyway. 5. New behavior has to be learned in all relevant contexts. 6. All behaviors (actions, thoughts, emotions) are caused. 7. Figuring out and changing the causes of behavior work better than judging and blaming. Directly Quoted From: DBT's General Handout 4 ASSUMPTIONS TMT assumptions are that most psychopathology is trauma-based. This can involve both Big T and little t trauma. The Locus of Control Shift is a universal cognitive adaptation to abuse. The Problem of Attachment to the Perpetrator is a core clinical conflict. A genuine commitment to recovery is essential. “The problem is not the problem” - symptoms have a function and purpose as survival strategies and defenses. The mechanism of change in DBT involves learning skills in a validating environment. MECHANISMS OF CHANGE The TMT mechanism of change involves cognitive restructuring of trauma-based beliefs (dismantling the "Bad Me" identity) combined with the development of healthier self-regulation skills. Change is driven by relational engagement with a client’s system of parts: the therapist plays an active role in this process, emphasizing psychoeducation, grounding, and commitment to recovery as elements of healing. The system of parts participates in treatment and change through recognition, communication, cooperation, and integration of parts. DBT measures change by: 1) decreasing client identified “problem behaviors” that are causing harm to self or others. 2) being able to use DBT skills to create “a life worth living.” HOW IT MEASURES CHANGE TMT measures change in a few ways. Standardized psychometric testing (e.g., DES, DDIS) are utilized. Clinical indicators such as a reduction in self-blame and dissociative "lost time," and an increase in healthy self-regulation. Diagnosis, treatment planning, and interventions flow from mapping and understanding the internal dissociative structure. Comprehensive DBT is a high-intensity, team-based program consisting of four essential components: weekly psychoeducational skills groups, individual coaching, 24/7 phone support, and a clinician consultation team. This model requires a high level of shared accountability, where a team of DBT-trained counselors provides on-call support for all program participants, regardless of their specific individual caseloads. In contrast, many clinicians provide "DBT-informed" care by integrating skills into individual sessions or offering standalone skills groups as a supplement to other therapeutic approaches. While the comprehensive model remains a standard for high-acuity cases, recent research by Lee et al. (2022) indicates that standalone skills groups can produce clinical outcomes comparable to the full comprehensive program over a six-month period. HOW IT WORKS TMT works in simple yet powerful ways. TMT is based on 5 core principles and the three phases of any trauma treatment model. 1. Education and Stabilization: building safety, a map of the system, and clarifying the problems to be addressed in therapy. 2. Trauma Processing: including ambivalent attachment patterns and negative self-beliefs. 3. Resolution and Integration: Consolidating the fragmented self. DBT does not specifically address dissociation. PERSPECTIVE ON DISSOCIATION The TMT perspective of dissociation is that dissociation is a structural defense used to wall off unbearable affect and memories. Dissociation is understood and treated as a primary focus of therapy. DBT does not address integration. HOW IT VIEWS INTEGRATION In TMT, Integration is the blending of fragmented parts of the self. It involves the gradual removal of dissociative barriers so that the Self can act as a unified, conscious identity. Integration = increased cooperation followed by blending and sometimes full fusion of parts when and if desired. Not all individuals want full integration. ~Special thanks to Jessica Endres for her contribution to this chart For the Clinician: Integrating TMT with DBT gives clinicians a dual framework that couples immediate, structured distress tolerance skills with the macro-level trauma architecture needed to resolve the root causes of affective instability. For the Client or Patient: Experiencing the combined approach of TMT and DBT provides you with real-time, actionable skills to surf the waves of intense emotional storms while simultaneously working through the deeper, historical trauma that triggers them. "While stabilizing coping skills are necessary to manage distress in the present, the ultimate goal of Trauma Model Therapy is to resolve the underlying trauma system so that those extreme coping mechanisms are no longer required." — TRAUMA MODEL THERAPY, LEVEL 2 LEARN MORE ABOUT TMT CLINICIANS ...who also utilize Dialectical Behavior Therapy Dr. Colin A. Ross Texas Jennifer Woodrome Texas Richard Cross Scotland (United Kingdom) Rachel Allen Texas, Colorado Veronica Gaytan de la Rosa Texas Lexi Eller Texas Jessica Endres Texas Faith Mosher Texas Rebecca Nantale Uganda Denise Dalgarn Utah, Kansas, California, Texas Jordan Madden Wisconsin, Minnesota TMT PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS LEARN HOW TMT INTEGRATES WITH OTHER EVIDENCE-BASED MODELS CBT + TMT Compare CPT + TMT Compare DBT + TMT Compare EST + TMT Compare EMDR +TMT Compare IFS + TMT Compare TIST + TMT Compare

Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) is an essential clinical and diagnostic framework for PSYCHIATRIC-MH NURSE PRACTITIONERS < Back to List of Professions Previous Profession Next Profession For Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs), who stand at the intersection of neurobiology, pharmacology, and holistic patient care, Dr. Colin A. Ross’s Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) provides a vital clinical anchor. It shifts the provider’s role from symptom prescriber to systems-level healer, offering a framework that explains the physiological "why" behind the psychiatric "what." By utilizing TMT, PMHNPs can deliver more precise medication management while addressing the structural trauma that biological interventions alone cannot reach. A Neurobiological Framework for the Medical Model PMHNPs are trained in the biological basis of mental illness, but many find that medication has its limits in trauma survivors. TMT provides the missing neuro-behavioral context. The TMT Perspective: High-dose antipsychotics or mood stabilizers often mask what TMT identifies as protective dissociative states or hyper-aroused survival responses. TMT views the chemical imbalance as a secondary consequence of a nervous system perpetually stuck in a threat-response cycle. Clinical Value: This allows the PMHNP to use a "trauma-informed prescribing approach. For example, when you realize a patient’s symptom of agitation is actually a survival response to perceived helplessness, you might reach for a grounding skill or a different class of medication rather than simply increasing a sedative. Decoding "Treatment Resistance" through Attachment PMHNPs often treat patients labeled "treatment-resistant" because they fail multiple medication trials. TMT identifies that many of these patients are actually struggling with the Problem of Attachment to the Perpetrator. The Dynamic: If a patient is biologically tethered to a traumatic past, their system may reject stability because safety feels unfamiliar and dangerous. This can manifest as non-compliance or paradoxical reactions to treatment. The TMT Intervention: The PMHNP uses TMT to explain this paradox to the patient. By resolving the Locus of Control Shift (the belief that they are fundamentally bad or broken), the patient’s system becomes more receptive to both pharmacological and therapeutic interventions. Differentiating Dissociation from Psychosis One of the most critical skills for a PMHNP is the differential diagnosis between primary psychotic disorders and trauma-based dissociation. The Diagnostic Gap: Many trauma survivors are misdiagnosed with Schizophrenia because they hear voices. In TMT, these are often understood as dissociative parts of the self rather than hallucinations. The Integration: TMT provides the PMHNP with specific tools (like the DDIS) to differentiate between these states. This prevents the tragedy of over-medicating a trauma survivor with heavy neuroleptics for a dissociative process that actually requires Stage 1: Stabilization and parts-work. Holistic Stabilization: Beyond the Prescription Pad The nursing heart of the PMHNP role is centered on holistic care. TMT provides a concrete set of nursing interventions to help patients regulate their autonomic nervous systems. The Approach: Instead of just managing side effects or symptoms, the TMT-informed NP teaches the patient how to manage their internal environment. The Skill: By explaining the components of Trauma Model Therapy, the NP empowers the patient to see their symptoms as data. A spike in anxiety isn't just a chemical surge; it’s a signal from a survival system that can be managed through cognitive reframing and grounding. "Playing Well" with Psychopharmacology and Nursing Theory TMT acts as the operating system that integrates nursing science with psychological resolution: With Jean Watson’s Theory of Caring: TMT provides the transpersonal framework for the healing relationship, using the Attachment Model to build trust. With Pharmacotherapy: TMT provides the "Why" for the "What." It allows the PMHNP to explain to the patient, "We are using this medication to lower the noise in your survival system so that we can do the TMT work of restructuring your beliefs. " With the Nursing Process (ADPIE): TMT enhances the assessment and diagnosis phases by adding a trauma-specific lens, ensuring the implementation is truly trauma-focused. Why PMHNPs Need TMT in Their Toolkit As the primary providers of psychiatric care in many settings, PMHNPs who use TMT can: Reduce Polypharmacy: By treating the underlying trauma system, NPs often find they can simplify medication regimens as the patient’s natural regulation improves. Improve Patient Outcomes: Patients feel seen when their NP explains their survival history, leading to higher levels of treatment engagement and trust. Bridge the Gap: TMT allows the NP to speak the language of both the medical model (to doctors) and the "recovery model (to patients and therapists). "Psychiatric nursing without Trauma Model Therapy is often just chemical management of a soul in pain. TMT empowers the PMHNP to treat the person, not just the synapse." — The Holistic Ethos of TMT ENROLL IN TRAINING 1 Level 1 Level 1 training is focused on introducing you to the model, the 5 Principles of TMT, helping you learn how to conceptualize TMT, how to diagnose properly, and how to become competent in detecting and working with complex trauma & dissociation. You will have a chance to watch multiple role plays with Dr. Ross during this training. CE Info 7 General Hours CE Provider: Get Into Your Head Training Price $350 Enroll Now 2 Level 2 Level 2 training will focus on general strategies you as a therapist need to know and employ in order to do the most effective work with any type of client who has experienced trauma. We will immerse you in the TMT Mindset and cover ethics. You will watch new role plays with Dr. Ross. We will also cover how to pair TMT with well-known modalities like EMDR & DBT. CE Info 9.25 Clinical/1.25 Ethics Hours CE Provider: Get Into Your Head Training Introductory Price $200 Request to Enroll 3 Level 3 Level 3 training will focus on tangible activities you can do with clients who experience complex PTSD, dissociation, or who have DID. This will include direction on how to work with complicated cases and DID parts/alters or DID systems. You will watch more role plays with Dr. Ross. We will also cover how to pair TMT with well-known models like IFS and Ego State Therapy. CE Info General & Ethics Hours Approved by NBCC Introductory Price $200 Coming Soon < Back to List of Professions Previous Profession Next Profession Testimonials

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Find a certified trauma and dissociation specialist. Search our global provider directory to connect with a trusted Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) clinician. Browse the official global TMT directory for Certified Clinicians that treat complex PTSD, trauma, abuse, and all other mental health issues. WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO MEET Jessica A. Garrett, MA, NCC, LPC-S Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, Texas License #82724 Licensed Professional Counselor, Colorado License #0013131 Accepting Clients Yes Meeting Options Online & In-Person Practices In Colorado Texas TMT Designation Trauma Model Therapy Consultant in Training Clinical Bio I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) providing psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and professional consultation. I specialize in working with individuals who have experienced complex trauma, dissociation, and other trauma-related disorders, and I am passionate about helping clients find healing in ways that align with their values, morals, and belief systems. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University and my Master of Arts in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Before moving to Texas, I lived and practiced in Colorado, where I began my career as a Licensed School Counselor. When my husband received orders for another military deployment, I transitioned into private practice so I could maintain the flexibility to support our children and the many animals that are an important part of our family while continuing to provide quality mental health care. My clinical work began primarily with pre-teens and adolescents. After becoming a Certified EMDR Therapist, I expanded my practice to serve Military Veterans, where I found my passion for treating individuals living with the effects of complex trauma and dissociative experiences. Working with this often misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed population has become the focus of my career. I am deeply committed to lifelong learning and continually invest in advanced training, consultation, and mentorship to strengthen my clinical skills and provide the highest quality care possible. This is what led me to become trained in Trauma Model Therapy. I believe that effective trauma treatment requires both specialized knowledge and genuine compassion, and I strive to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel safe, understood, and empowered to move toward lasting healing. What I Really Want You to Know As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I believe that every person's story is unique. My role is to provide a supportive, collaborative space where you can better understand your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Through that understanding, you may find meaning or peace from past wounds, relief from current struggles, and hope for a healthier, more fulfilling future. While I cannot promise specific outcomes, I do believe that meaningful change is possible, and that life can get better. Counseling is a partnership. Together, we will identify goals based on what matters most to you and what you want to work toward. Some goals may be long-term, while others focus on more immediate concerns. I may offer guidance, insights, and suggestions along the way, but you remain the expert on your own life and ultimately decide the direction of your counseling journey. My goal is to help you discover healthier choices that align with your values, beliefs, and the life you want to create. It's also important to know that counseling is an intensely personal process. At times, it may bring difficult memories or emotions to the surface, and progress is not always immediate or linear. Growth often takes time and requires your active participation, honesty, and willingness to engage in the process. Although there are no guarantees, counseling has the potential to provide many meaningful benefits, including developing healthier coping skills, creating lasting behavioral changes, reducing symptoms of emotional distress, strengthening relationships, and improving your overall quality of life. How I weave Trauma Model Therapy Into My Practice I discovered Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) while searching for ways to better serve my clients experiencing dissociation. After coming across a YouTube video of Dr. Colin Ross discussing TMT, I found that his personal story deeply resonated with my own experiences. I immediately enrolled in the TMT Certification Training and have never looked back. Having trained in and worked with many different trauma therapies, I've come to appreciate the strengths of each while also recognizing their limitations. What I love about TMT is that it complements many existing trauma-focused approaches rather than replacing them. It provides a framework for clinicians while offering concepts that can be explained to clients in a way that is both understandable and empowering. This allows both client and therapist to share a common language and be on the same page. TMT offers clear, practical concepts that can be applied immediately in clinical practice. Although I've been trained in many therapeutic modalities, this is the first approach I've found that truly brings them together in a cohesive way. I believe that as more therapists become trained in TMT, trauma work will feel less overwhelming, allowing more clients to receive the compassionate, effective support they deserve. Visit My Website to Book < Back to List of Providers Previous Next BOOKING DETAILS I'm a Good Match For... Women Men Adults (18-25) Adults (26-54) Adults (55+) Fee Details $130-$175 Appointment Availability Weekdays Waitlist available Languages Spoken English MORE ABOUT MY PRACTICE INSURANCES ACCEPTED Aetna Carelon (formerly Beacon) Evernorth (Cigna) Optum Tricare United Healthcare BCBS PPO Cigna Medicare Texas Medicaid UMR SERVICES OFFERED In-Person Counseling Online Counseling Group Counseling Individual Counseling MODELS & METHODS Clinical Hypnosis Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) Deep Brain Reorienting Ego State Therapy Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Humanistic Therapy Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy I CAN HELP WITH Adjustment Issues Bipolar Disorder Complex PTSD Depression Dissociative Identity Disorder Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Self-Esteem Sexual Abuse Trauma Anxiety Borderline Personality Disorder Coping Skills Dissociative Disorders LGBTQIA PTSD Self-Harming Stress Women's Issues < Back to List of Providers Previous Next LEARN ABOUT THIS CLINICIAN'S TMT DESIGNATIONS Trauma Model Therapy Consultant in Training The TMT-CIT designation represents an elite tier of clinical leadership reserved for independently licensed practitioners who have mastered the full, new three-level TMT curriculum. This intensive onboarding process pairs applicants with a Consultant Mentor for observed consultations and a final evaluation, ensuring they can seamlessly step into the roles of coach, evaluator, and ethical steward of the TMT global mission. More Details < Back to List of Providers Previous Next

Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) is a game-changer for ADDICTION PROFESSIONALS < Back to List of Professions Previous Profession Next Profession For addiction professionals, the revolving door of treatment is a familiar and frustrating phenomenon. Trauma Model Therapy (TMT) provides the missing link for providers who find that traditional Substance Use Disorder (SUD) protocols often fail when faced with the hidden driver of addiction: complex trauma and sometimes even dissociation. Integrating TMT into addiction treatment shifts the focus from managing a brain disease to resolving a survival strategy. Trauma Model Therapy is a great aid to Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADC) I/II, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC), Master Addiction Counselors (MAC), Certified Addiction Professionals (CAP), Master's Level Certified Addiction Professionals (MCAP), Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Counselors, National Certified Addiction Counselors, and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors. Reframing Addiction as an "Adaptive Survival Strategy" In TMT, symptoms are not viewed as pathological errors but as brilliant adaptations to a traumatic environment. The TMT Perspective: Substance use is often a form of chemical dissociation. If a client’s internal world is a site of unbearable pain or intrusive trauma memories, using a substance is a logical, albeit costly, way to get out of their head. Clinical Value: This immediately reduces the shame and self-loathing that fuels the addiction cycle. When a clinician says, "Your drinking was the best tool you had at age 15 to survive that household," it builds a bridge of alliance that tough love models often burn. Solving the "Locus of Control Shift" in Addiction A cornerstone of Trauma Model Therapy is the Locus of Control Shift, where a child takes the blame for abuse to maintain the hope that they can change the outcome. The Carryover: This "bad me" identity follows the survivor into adulthood and manifests as the core belief: "I am an addict because I am fundamentally flawed/bad." The TMT Intervention: By teaching the principles of Trauma Model Therapy, addiction professionals help clients realize they aren't "bad people trying to be good," but "injured people trying to be safe." Resolving this shift is often what prevents the chronic relapses that occur when a client achieves sobriety but still hates their sober self. Managing the Duality: The Problem of Attachment Addiction professionals often struggle with clients who are labeled as "treatment resistant" or "manipulative." TMT reinterprets these behaviors through the Problem of Attachment to the Perpetrator. The Parallel: For many addicts, the drug is the attachment figure. It is the thing that comforts them while simultaneously destroying them—mimicking the original traumatic bond with a caregiver. The Skill: TMT gives addiction counselors a language to discuss this love-hate relationship with the substance without becoming a parental/authoritarian figure, which avoids triggering the client's original trauma responses. TMT as a Tool for High-Functioning Dissociation Dr. Ross’s research highlights that many addicts are actually dissociating rather than just getting high. The Diagnostic Gap: Many SUD professionals miss the signs of structural dissociation. A client may black out not just because of the chemical, but because the chemical is facilitating a dissociative switch. The Integration: TMT teaches addiction professionals how to use the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES) and the Dissociative Disorders Interview Schedule (DDIS) to screen for underlying dissociative disorders. If the dissociation isn't treated, the addiction will likely remain the primary grounding mechanism. Playing Well with 12-Step and Harm Reduction TMT is uniquely suited to work alongside existing addiction frameworks: With 12-Step: TMT provides a psychological deep dive for Step 4 (fearless moral inventory), helping the client see that their defects of character were actually survival traits. With Harm Reduction: TMT’s focus on stabilization in the early treatment stage aligns perfectly with harm reduction. It prioritizes keeping the client safe and in their body before demanding they process the trauma that they are using substances to avoid. Why Addiction Professionals Need TMT in Their Toolkit According to Dr. Ross’s research, the prevalence of childhood trauma in the addiction population is nearly universal. Learning TMT allows an addiction professional to: Stop "Whack-a-Mole" Treatment: Address the trauma system so that when the client stops using one substance, they don't immediately cross-addict to another. Increase Retention: Clients stay in treatment longer when they feel understood at the attachment level rather than just the behavioral level. Prevent Burnout: Understanding the Locus of Control Shift helps clinicians realize that a client's "resistance" is a survival skill, making it much easier to stay empathetic and effective. "If you don't treat the trauma, the addiction has a job to do. When you treat the trauma, the addiction becomes unemployed." — The Core Ethos of Recovery in TMT ENROLL IN TRAINING 1 Level 1 Level 1 training is focused on introducing you to the model, the 5 Principles of TMT, helping you learn how to conceptualize TMT, how to diagnose properly, and how to become competent in detecting and working with complex trauma & dissociation. You will have a chance to watch multiple role plays with Dr. Ross during this training. CE Info 7 General Hours CE Provider: Get Into Your Head Training Price $350 Enroll Now 2 Level 2 Level 2 training will focus on general strategies you as a therapist need to know and employ in order to do the most effective work with any type of client who has experienced trauma. We will immerse you in the TMT Mindset and cover ethics. You will watch new role plays with Dr. Ross. We will also cover how to pair TMT with well-known modalities like EMDR & DBT. CE Info 9.25 Clinical/1.25 Ethics Hours CE Provider: Get Into Your Head Training Introductory Price $200 Request to Enroll 3 Level 3 Level 3 training will focus on tangible activities you can do with clients who experience complex PTSD, dissociation, or who have DID. This will include direction on how to work with complicated cases and DID parts/alters or DID systems. You will watch more role plays with Dr. Ross. We will also cover how to pair TMT with well-known models like IFS and Ego State Therapy. CE Info General & Ethics Hours Approved by NBCC Introductory Price $200 Coming Soon < Back to List of Professions Previous Profession Next Profession Testimonials

Learn more about Trauma Model Therapy CLINICAL CURIOSITY < Back Previous Next In Trauma Model Therapy (TMT), Clinical Curiosity is defined not as an intellectual pursuit of a patient's history, but as an intentional, non-judgmental stance that seeks to discover the hidden logic behind seemingly irrational behaviors. Instead of asking "What is wrong with this person?" Clinical Curiosity asks "How did this symptom help this person survive an impossible environment?" When a TMT Clinician models authentic curiosity toward high-risk or destructive behaviors—such as self-harm, addiction, or severe dissociation—it allows the person to safely drop their defenses and stop fighting themselves. By shifting the internal narrative from self-condemnation to curious exploration, the patient or client can finally understand the survival purpose of their pain, correct the core cognitive errors driving their symptoms, and safely step into a unified recovery. Clinical Curiosity is the antidote to toxic shame Toxic shame is the pervasive, crushing belief that one is inherently broken, defective, or uniquely bad because of what they survived. This shame thrives in secrecy and self-condemnation, leaving individuals trapped in a cycle of hiding their most painful impulses and behaviors. Clinical Curiosity serves as the direct antidote to this pathology by replacing judgment with investigation. When a therapist encounters an extreme behavior—such as self-harm or severe addiction—and responds with a calm, analytical desire to understand its origin rather than a rush to punish or eliminate it, the environment completely shifts. By exploring the behavior as an adaptive puzzle to be solved rather than a moral failure to be scolded, the clinician models a new way of relating to the self. This objective investigation dissolves the isolation of shame, allowing the individual to look at their own actions without the blinding fog of self-hatred. How Clinical Curiosity ties into Therapeutic Neutrality In TMT, Therapeutic Neutrality is the discipline of maintaining a steady, objective, and non-reactive presence, ensuring the TMT Clinician does not take sides in a person's internal conflicts, over-react to crises, or impose their own values on the treatment. Clinical Curiosity is the fuel that makes therapeutic neutrality possible. Without active curiosity, neutrality can easily look like cold detachment or rigid indifference, both of which can re-traumatize a person who expects abandonment. Instead, curiosity provides a warm, highly engaged objectivity. It allows the clinician to sit with heavy disclosures, erratic behaviors, or intense emotional storms with a calm focus, wondering about the purpose of the presentation rather than rushing to fix it, judge it, or fear it. By staying curious about why an internal part is lashing out or shutting down, the TMT Clinician preserves the client's ultimate autonomy and avoids entering into a historical re-enactment of control or rescue. How Clinical Curiosity ties into the 5 Principles of TMT In Trauma Model Therapy, Clinical Curiosity is the mechanism used to bring the 5 core principles of the model into active practice. It translates theory into live, relational healing: The Locus of Control Shift & Attachment to the Perpetrator: Instead of pathologizing an individual's persistent self-blame or their complicated bond with someone who harmed them, curiosity asks how taking the blame originally gave a helpless child a sense of control and power over an impossible environment. The Problem is Not the Problem: Curiosity is the exact tool used to look past the surface crisis—such as a sudden behavioral crash or a relapse—and investigate the underlying emotional conflict or trigger that the behavior was desperately trying to soothe. Addiction is the Opposite of Desensitization: Curiosity explores how compulsive substances or behaviors are being utilized as precise, artificial regulators for a chronically overwhelmed autonomic nervous system. The Victim-Rescuer-Perpetrator Triangle: Curiosity allows the TMT Clinician to track which role is currently active in the room without getting sucked into the dynamic, asking how adopting these rigid relational positions historically protected the person from total vulnerability. How curiosity aids the healing process Curiosity actively accelerates the healing process by shifting the brain out of an automatic defense posture and into an active state of learning. When an individual is stuck in a loop of self-judgment, their nervous system remains highly activated, treating their own internal impulses as a present-tense threat. By adopting the clinician’s curious stance, the person learns to pause and safely observe their internal sensations, thoughts, and triggers from a healthy distance. This process de-escalates the body's alarm system, making room for true emotional processing. Curiosity transforms terrifying, chaotic symptoms into predictable, structured pieces of information that can be organized, understood, and ultimately updated to the present reality. How Clinical Curiosity contributes to the transition from surviving to thriving Survival requires rigid defenses, predictable walls, and the constant anticipation of danger, leaving very little room for flexibility, spontaneous joy, or growth. Clinical Curiosity provides the psychological bridge necessary to cross from that survival state into a thriving life. By exploring the original blueprint of their coping strategies, individuals realize that the very behaviors that are now complicating their lives were once the brilliant, logical adaptations that kept them alive. This realization allows them to genuinely honor their past survival system rather than hating it. Once the historical logic of the system is fully understood and appreciated, the rigid need for those old defenses naturally falls away. This opens up internal space for curiosity to turn outward, empowering the individual to explore new possibilities, build flexible relationships, and actively design a life based on authentic choice rather than chronic fear. Learn more about how TMT CAN HELP YOU HEAL Learn more about TMT FOR MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS