DEVELOPMENT NEEDS MEETING STRATEGY (DNMS)

The DNMS is a multidimensional, comprehensive, strengths-based, client-centered, ego-state therapy that can resolve relational trauma wounds (from verbal, physical, or sexual abuse) and attachment wounds (from neglect, rejection, enmeshment, and chronic misattunment). It consists of a series of very gentle, supportive DNMS protocols that... 

1. Build self-esteem

2. Desensitize traumas 

3. Calm hostile introjects

4. Reduce internal conflicts

5. Overcome processing blocks 

6. Integrate dissociated parts of self 

7. Repair childhood attachment wounds 

8. Orient wounded parts to present time 

9. Compliment other modalities, like EMDR 

10. Reduce unwanted behaviors, beliefs, and emotions

11. Use alternating bilateral stimulation (made popular by EMDR therapy) 

Many unwanted behaviors, beliefs, emotions, and urges originate with childhood wounding. When a child endures a significant physical or emotional injury, that’s not followed by needed comfort, reassurance, and support, that child could get stuck in that painful moment. Being stuck in the past means that childhood state of mind can get triggered in adulthood. For example, a person who feels confident one moment can get triggered by something upsetting – and suddenly see the world through the eyes of a sad, angry, or fearful child, who feels as if a wounding event from long ago is actually happening right now. You’d expect someone raised by abusive or neglectful parents to be stuck in childhood, but even caring parents can raise a child who’s stuck in time. This can happen when well-meaning parents fail to meet emotional needs because (1) they simply don’t know how to, (2) they’re chronically misattuned, (3) they have their own unresolved wounds, (4) they’re under extreme stress, and/or (5) situational hardships (like illness, disaster, war) make it impossible to meet the needs they would otherwise be able to meet.