The body remembers what the mind forgets. Somatic psychotherapy invites us to listen deeply, to the wisdom held in our tissues, our breath, and our bones, so that healing can arise from within.

The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) is a therapeutic model designed to treat Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) integrating top-down (cognitive) and bottom-up (somatic) methods. Reinforcing client agency is one of the four pillars of the NARM model. This Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis investigated how NARM impacts client agency from the perspective of NARM Therapists. Fourteen NARM Therapists participated in a focus group to describe their work as a NARM trained trauma therapist treating clients who have experienced C-PTSD. The study revealed four themes that represent the phenomenon of client agency supported by the NARM model from the perspective of NARM Therapists. The emergent themes that support client agency include Connecting to Present Moment Awareness, Reflecting and Reinforcing Client Choices, Acknowledging Client Insight, and Contracting with the Client. Social workers can support clients experiencing C-PTSD by reinforcing client agency and utilizing trauma-informed approaches such as NARM to advance NASW standards for clinical social work practice standards one, two, and eleven (i.e. values and ethics, specialized practice skills, and interventions and professional development).

Vasquez, J. (2024). The Impact of the Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM) 

on client agency. Studies in Clinical Social Work: Transforming Practice, Education and Research, 5(1), 1-20. doi: 10.1080/28376811.2024.2387677 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/28376811.2024.2387677 

This study explored professional sustainability from the perspective of Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM)-trained trauma therapists exposed to vicarious trauma. Research shows trauma training can counter the effects of vicarious trauma on therapists. The participants in this study are licensed therapists who completed NARM training, a therapeutic model that supports therapists’ work with complex trauma. Four themes emerged from this study: the therapists feel supported in their work, experience increased confidence, more effective work, and more enjoyable work. The outcomes of this study demonstrate that trauma trainings can both prepare therapists and promote sustainability despite the exposure to vicarious trauma. 

Vasquez, J. (2024). The impact of vicarious trauma exposure on the professional 

sustainability of trauma therapists: A qualitative analysis of NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) therapists. Professional Development: The International Journal of Continuing Social Work Education, 27(2), 13. https://sites.utexas.edu/ioe/files/2024/10/272047.pdf 

NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) therapy is a trauma informed therapeutic practice for treating developmental trauma by addressing attachment and interpersonal dynamics. This model is theoretically rooted in other clinical mental health therapy approaches, namely, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Attachment Theory, Cognitive Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Somatic Experiencing, and it incorporates self-regulation and awareness, bridging with relational approaches. As the research on developmental trauma grows, new research is needed to inform clinical social workers about NARM. In this paper the authors argue that NARM is a promising model that may prevent and mitigate secondary traumatic stress and burnout among social workers and may be used in trauma work with clients. A case vignette is presented demonstrating the application of the four pillars of the NARM model.

Vasquez, J., & Bowie-Viverette, A. C. (2024). Trauma and the case for utilizing NARM therapy in clinical social work: Implications for practice, compassion fatigue, and burnout. Clinical Social Work Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-024-00973-8

The NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) is a therapeutic model created

to address Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) integrating both top-down

cognitive and bottom-up somatic approaches. With the addition of C-PTSD in the ICD-

11, treatment models are needed that address the specific needs of clients with C-PTSD.

Working with clients with complex trauma exposes therapists to secondary trauma which

can lead to secondary traumatic stress and burnout, the elements of compassion fatigue.

Trauma therapists also experience compassion satisfaction, which are positive feelings

about making a difference in their work. Training is identified as a protective factor against

compassion fatigue. This mixed methods analysis examined the compassion fatigue and

compassion satisfaction of NARM Therapists. The study found that NARM Therapists (n=53)

experienced lower compassion fatigue and higher compassion satisfaction than other trauma

workers. Using the ProQOL5 measure (Stamm, 2024), 84.9% of NARM Therapists scored

low in burnout, 83% of NARM Therapists scored low in secondary traumatic stress, and

67.9% of NARM Therapists scored high in compassion satisfaction. The study revealed four

themes that represent the phenomenon of the impact of NARM on compassion satisfaction

and compassion fatigue from the perspective of NARM Therapists: expending less effort,

improved boundaries, increased energy, and enhanced confidence. How NARM serves a

protective factor for trauma therapists is discussed.

Vasquez, J., & Bowie-Viverette, A. C. (2025). Compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction among NeuroAffective Relational Model therapists: How NARM serves as a protective factor for trauma therapists. Social Work and Social Sciences Review.

Established research has shown that trauma therapists are routinely exposed to secondary trauma, which may lead to the development of secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout for some. Trauma informed care training has shown promise for improving professional quality of life for practitioners routinely exposed to secondary trauma. To our knowledge, no previous research analyzed NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM) therapists' training outcomes relevant to the frequencies of their professional quality of life. This cross section observational study explored United States NARM therapists (n=13) surveyed using the ProQOL 5 scale. Descriptive results showed that therapists had high compassion satisfaction, moderate to low burnout and secondary traumatic stress, and they endorsed the most positive Professional Quality of Life score possible. Insights for trauma therapists are presented. 

Vasquez, J. & Bowie-Viverette, A.C. (expected 2025). A frequency analysis of NARM Therapists’ professional quality of life after NARM training. Manuscript under review.

This dissertation explores the professional quality of life of trauma therapists trained in the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), focusing on how meaning making influences their experiences of compassion fatigue, burnout, and compassion satisfaction. Through qualitative research methods, the study investigates the unique challenges and protective factors faced by NARM therapists, who work with complex trauma populations. Findings highlight the role of NARM’s somatic and relational approach in fostering resilience, emotional regulation, and professional sustainability. The research contributes to the understanding of how specialized trauma therapy training can support therapists’ well-being and informs best practices for reducing secondary traumatic stress in clinical social work. Recommendations for future research and implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Vasquez, J. A. (2022). Meaning making: Understanding professional quality of life for NeuroAffective Relational Model trained trauma therapists (Order No. 29069087) [Doctoral dissertation, Our Lady of the Lake University]. ProQuest One Academic; Sociological Abstracts. https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/meaning-making-understanding-professional-quality/docview/2659277203/se-2

In this episode of Transforming Trauma, our host Emily is joined by Dr. Jena Vasquez, LCSW-S, NARM Therapist, SEP, Yoga Therapist and Instructor, professor and researcher. Dr. Vasquez recently completed her doctoral dissertation, Meaning Making: Understanding Professional Quality of Life for NARM Trained Trauma Therapists, one of the first research studies on how professional training in trauma impacts quality of life for trauma therapists. Dr. Vasquez specifically chose NARM to research, and throughout their conversation, she shares the findings of her research, including powerful quotes from those she studied.

Dr. Vasquez has worked in the field of trauma for many years and observed that so many of her colleagues and supervisees were getting burned out. She reflected on what resources were available and realized that those that went for further training in trauma seemed to fare better. She, herself, had trained in several modalities before she found NARM, and realized she saw something different in therapists trained in NARM. In her search to better support fellow therapists and supervisees she began to hypothesize that there’s something in the NARM Training that can be beneficial for trauma therapists. “The NARM Training can really help trauma therapists to reduce the impact of secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue that so many therapists are exposed to in their work.” Dr. Vasquez says.

Dr. Vasquez shares a few powerful quotes from research subjects (i.e., NARM Therapists), including:

1. “I feel more joy in my work, and in my life personally.”
2. “Working with trauma is a difficult choice, and using NARM has allowed me to really stay in it without being in it in a way that’s impacting myself and my ability to be there and be present.”
3. “Not only is the modality effective, but it also supports me in being able to do the work and sustain it.” 

Dr. Vasquez also shares about her own journey through the NARM Therapist Training, the impact this work and community had on her, and how she now integrates NARM into her teaching, supervision and clinical work. When reflecting on her integration of NARM, she says,  “The four pillars of NARM really are the framework that guide my practice with complex trauma survivors.” Dr. Vasquez and Emily reflect on the transformative nature of NARM Therapy as well as discuss ideas for further research on NARM clients as well.

We invite you to listen to the full episode to hear their full conversation and to learn more about Dr. Vasquez’ research and work with NARM.

https://complextraumatrainingcenter.com/transformingtrauma/episode-070/