The ISSTD Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) Special Interest Group (SIG) has blossomed in the number of members and educational offerings since beginning in October 2023. With the mission of “further understanding the research and clinical application of Deep Brain Reorienting therapy in an integrative treatment approach when working with complex trauma, dissociation, and dissociative disorders” (DBR SIG Bylaws), the SIG had a full year in 2025!
January 2025 began with a collaborative venture with the ISSTD Virtual Book Club as we explored Deep Brain Reorienting: Understanding the Neuroscience of Trauma, Attachment Wounding, and DBR Psychotherapy by Frank M. Corrigan, Hannah Young, and Jessica Christie-Sands. Together, we examined the book’s insights into the profound effects of shock, trauma, and neglect on the brain, and how these experiences shape both behavior and neural architecture.
We were honored to welcome Ruth Lanius—author of the book’s foreword and DBR researcher—for a virtual discussion. Martin Warner, co-developer of the Alexander Technique interweaves for DBR and co-author, also joined us for a Zoom session and participated in the DBR SIG in-person meeting at the 2025 ISSTD Annual Conference in Boston. This outstanding in-person DBR SIG gathering in March additionally featured Frank Corrigan, creator of DBR and co-author, along with Cindy Shrigley, co-author and DBR trainer.
The book club concluded at the close of the conference, inspiring participants to integrate cutting-edge neuroscience into their DBR clinical practice and offering fresh perspectives on trauma treatment, dissociation, and attachment wounding.
The DBR SIG was also delighted to assist in the first ISSTD sponsored DBR Level 1 training at the ISSTD pre-conference in Boston, March 2025. It was a full house with participants travelling from around the world to train in-person with Frank Corrigan.
In June, the SIG was joined virtually by Jaan Reitav, who spoke to us about bridging the gap between sleep science and trauma therapy.
The DBR SIG currently has over 80 members. The 2026 executive includes Fern Banner (Chair), Laura McMurry (Secretary), and Chris Vavro (Moderator). We would like to say thanks to our outgoing executive members, Cheri Yadon and Alexis Castle, for spearheading the SIG!
We are thrilled to announce the following upcoming DBR SIG assisted events:
- Frank Corrigan will be presenting an ISSTD webinar “Shocking events and the clinical application of Deep Brain Reorienting” September 11, 2026, 12-1:30 pm EST. Individual registration for the event will be available soon. Registration for the full 2026 Webinar Pass is available now.
- DBR Level 1 ISSTD sponsored training October 14 & 15, 2026, in-person in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with trainers Frank Corrigan. Registration will open soon.
- Toronto Regional Conference, October 16, 2026, with Frank Corrigan as plenary speaker. More details, including the fabulous line up of additional speakers and registration, will be forthcoming.
- DBR Level 2 ISSTD sponsored training October 17 & 18, 2026, in-person in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with trainers Frank Corrigan. Registration will open soon.
Our next SIG meeting will be in-person at the Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, March 27, at 5:15 pm PST. Further meetings and guest speakers will be announced.
Whether you are new to DBR or an active DBR clinician, we invite you to join the DBR SIG by reaching out to Laura McMurry, our secretary (perceptionpoint@hushmail.com). She will be happy to walk you through the steps. To join a DBR SIG assisted event, watch for announcements in ISSTDWorld and the DBR SIG, where we will share further information and registration details, as they become available.