Transforming Trauma: Episode 139

While many clinical modalities are designed for helping clients in individual therapy, trauma therapists are often looking for modalities that can better support their groups.  One therapist was inspired to take NARM principles and apply them to group therapy.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, Emily invites Pamela Kraus, LCPC, MBA, to share her process for and evaluation of using the NeuroAffective Relational Model in a group setting. The pair also discuss the value of adopting a “beginner’s mindset” when applying NARM in ways that might be new to us.

Utilizing a beginner’s mindset comes naturally to Pamela, who became a psychotherapist after a successful career as a consultant specializing in qualitative research and group facilitation. Now, she’s a NARM Master Therapist and an EMDR-certified therapist working in private practice, serving clients in Chicago and Evanston, IL.  “What I loved was talking and listening to people, trying to understand what drives them, and why they make certain choices,” explains Pamela of her previous career. That prior experience and a deep empathy for folks struggling with complex trauma have served Pamela well in her second-act career.

Recognizing the relationship between complex trauma and addictions has deeply impacted Pamela’s understanding of her clients’ struggles.  “30 to 50% of my clients are dealing with substance abuse challenges. There’s no such thing as that struggle without a history of developmental trauma,” she says.  This recognition motivated her to find a modality that could address this complicated relationship between trauma and addiction.  This path led her to find NARM and EMDR, two promising trauma-informed modalities.  While she toggles between NARM and EMDR depending on the patient’s needs, she shares, ”I use NARM far more than I use EMDR.”

The idea to facilitate a NARM-based group came to Pamela in 2023 while working with several women who presented with C-PTSD. “I thought they’d benefit from being with others who’ve had the same kind of experiences.” Her hunch proved correct, and a core group emerged. “The group was a format and an experience and environment in which to explore yourself, which is so fundamental to NARM”, Pamela says. “It’s an invitation to explore our clients and our own shared humanity versus this pressure to do NARM the right way.”

She hopes other NARM clinicians will lean toward the same spirit of inquiry. “It was not always easy, but it was always the intention to be present, to not have a plan other than what I talked about being the purpose of the group: to explore yourself, to look at what’s coming up for you, what meaning you’re making of things, how you’re relating to yourself.”

Transforming Trauma appreciates Pamela sharing her inspiration and path to applying NARM into group therapy.

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Pamela Kraus, LCPC, MBA, is a psychotherapist in private practice and passionate about helping her clients address unresolved complex trauma (developmental, relational and attachment trauma.) These challenges may be contributing to a negative sense of self, relationship struggles, or other difficulties in their lives.

Pamela is a NARM Master Therapist and an EMDR Certified Therapist. A portion of the clients she works with are challenged (in their own or others’ lives) by the dynamics of addiction and/or engaged in the journey of recovery. She works with individuals, couples, and families (adult children and their parents), and conducts psychotherapy groups from time to time.

Pamela is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, with a master’s degree from DePaul University. She also has an MBA and had a previous career doing qualitative research and consulting for corporations wanting to have greater insight into people’s feelings, motives, behaviors, and lifestyles. Pamela works in downtown Chicago and Evanston, IL and also conducts some telehealth therapy sessions.