Transforming Trauma: Episode 164

Many graduate students in psychology, counseling, and social work struggle to find their theoretical and clinical footing. As graduate students get closer to graduation, many feel under-prepared and ill-equipped to provide effective therapy to clients. Despite the differences between training in a depth-oriented model like NARM and studying traditional coursework required for a clinical degree, one student celebrates bridging these two different modes of learning to become a more confident and effective beginning therapist.

On this episode of Transforming Trauma, host Emily Ruth welcomes Caleb McNaughton, a graduate student currently seeking licensure in Tennessee. The pair discuss Caleb’s path that led him to enroll in the NARM Therapist Training as a graduate student. They also explore the friction that developed as Caleb began bringing back into his graduate program what he was learning in the NeuroAffective Relational Model, leading him to question, and at times push back on, his graduate school education and training. 

“Grad school can be like a jungle gym. It feels very confusing, like, what you’re supposed to take with you,” says Caleb. Hungry for finding a solid ground in a new career, Caleb stayed open to new ideas and approaches, which led him to explore depth-oriented clinical models like NARM. Studying NARM during his graduate program provided exceptional support. “I’m just so grateful to have the growth that I’ve had through this [NARM] training in a way that… impacted so many things around me”, Caleb reflects. “I love incorporating NARM into my papers, presentations, and things like that for grad school”

Caleb started grad school in his mid-20s. By then, he was already married and eager for answers to existential questions regarding his personal worth and professional belonging in the field. He was introduced to NARM through his father, Jason McNaughton, a NARM Master Therapist, and even though he had just started graduate school, Caleb decided to begin the NARM Therapist Training. “The training in NARM has provided so much growth”, says Caleb. “Every [NARM] module just kept going deeper. It just keeps cutting deeper every time and, the deeper it has cut, I feel like the more I understand about me.”

Although Caleb felt pretty familiar with NARM by the time he entered the clinical training, he wasn’t prepared for the personal shifts that occurred during the training. Caleb reflects on his process, “I’m going to get trained in this in-depth model, but it doesn’t feel like just a training. It’s like I’m getting to explore some very deep parts of my own life whilst I’m going through the training.” 

But, this deep clinical and personal growth often conflicted with what he was learning in his graduate program. Caleb began to question and even challenge his program, feeling that it wasn’t teaching what future therapists needed to learn. He was often met with lack of curiosity, and even outright resistance from his professors, who were quick to dismiss NARM. “I held a lot of judgment towards my professors,” he concedes. 

However, looking back now, Caleb says he wouldn’t change anything about his journey. “I feel like [NARM] made the whole experience a lot more enjoyable. I don’t feel as stuck or running through that jungle gym wondering which branch to grab onto.” 

He also believes strongly that to better equip future therapists, traditional graduate programs in psychology, counseling and social work should incorporate more depth-orientation into their programs. Based on Caleb’s experience, he says, “I’d be really lost without NARM.”

Transforming Trauma thanks Caleb for his spirit of curiosity. We appreciate his willingness to explore new territories, even despite the push-back he received, and giving our community a glimpse into what can occur when we’re open to new learning and pathways for healing. 

RECOMMENDED EPISODES

Self-Discovery as a NARM Therapist with Alex White & Sabrena Ness

Supporting Presence, Awareness, Connection, and Embodiment for Mental Health Professionals with Brad Kammer and Stefanie Klein of the Complex Trauma Training Center

GUEST BIO

Caleb McNaughton, a graduate student, is currently seeking licensure in Chattanooga, Tennessee, alongside training in complex developmental trauma. Caleb received his undergrad in Sports Management from Covenant College. After graduation, Caleb spent a year as a missionary in Mexico. It was during this time that he felt led to pursue a degree in counseling. Caleb was introduced to the Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM) through his father Jason McNaughton and his colleague Heather Parker, both NARM Master Therapists in Birmingham, AL.