Transforming Trauma: Episode 136

Clinicians treating complex trauma clients already understand the value of using the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) in 1:1 settings. Imagine, then, the transformative healing that might occur when applying NARM in group recovery and transitional living environments.

 

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Laura Sorte, LCSW, NARM Therapist and Executive Director at Release Recovery, to discuss her experiences creating and implementing NARM-informed programming for this New York-based outpatient addiction treatment center. Laura has incorporated NARM throughout the organization, including at the case management level, where NARM Basics Training is now an integral part of the team development track, ensuring that all staff members have a strong foundation in complex trauma care. Emily and Laura explore the synergies that exist between NARM’s compassionate, holistic approach to healing complex trauma and Release Recovery’s ethos of treating the root cause of substance abuse disorders without blame, shame, or labels that fail to acknowledge a client’s ability to change.

 

“When I talk about NARM, whether with a prospective family or client, or another clinician in the field, they all like the language, they like the…I’m gonna say they like the “product.” It’s what people are really looking for,” explains Laura, whose enthusiasm for this developmentally-oriented, neuroscientifically-informed model extends beyond theory. She’s also know this personally.  Using NARM, she continues to take an honest inventory of the traumas at the root of her past struggles with addiction. “It’s this deeper work around these dynamics that are so significant and sensitive and important,” Laura confirms. “They really cause a lot of suffering for a lot of our clients that are stuck in these cycles of substance use.”

 

Under Laura’s guidance, Release Recovery has thoroughly embraced a culture of connection, curiosity and compassion––characteristics central to the NARM Relational Model –– at the treatment and staffing levels. “I think the impact that this type of work has on one’s practice at the clinical level, the residential level, the entry-level is significant and profound. It’s happening in real-time, right here,” she marvels.

Transforming Trauma thanks Laura for her thoughtful insights and for sharing the NARM model within her addiction recovery community.

GUEST CONTACT AND BIO

Release Recovery

Laura Sorte, LCSW, is a NARM Therapist. Laura has specialized in working with families, individuals, and adolescents and thrives in helping her clients develop a deeper connection to themselves.

Laura holds the position of Executive Director at Release Recovery Centers, an outpatient treatment center in Westchester County, New York where she brings her deep understanding of the impacts of developmental trauma and addiction to the clinical programming. Release Recovery Centers is a clinically driven, client-centered, trauma informed outpatient treatment center treating substance abuse disorders. Release Recovery Centers is focused on treating the root cause of the symptoms and behaviors, without blame, shame or labels that fail to acknowledge the ability to change.