Deep Brain Reorienting in Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

This study will evaluate the efficacy of Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR) in reducing PTSD symptoms. DBR was designed by Dr. Frank Corrigan, a Scottish psychiatrist interested in the brain mechanisms underlying effective trauma psychotherapy. For this study, participants will be randomized to either the DBR treatment or wait-list study conditions. Trauma processing through DBR involves bringing up a traumatic memory and encourages the client to focus on tensions arising in the muscles of the shoulders, neck, head and face (i.e., those involved in orienting toward a threatening person/event). It is believed that this approach will allow the participant to process the traumatic memory in an emotionally manageable way, changing how it is represented/accessed in the brain's innate defensive system. Online Stream - Assessments will include clinical interviews (pre/post treatment, and follow-up) using Webex video conferencing, and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scans (pre/post treatment). In-Person Stream - Assessment will include clinical interviews (pre/post treatment and follow-up), and fMRI scans (pre/post treatment).

Inclusion criteria

• English speaking
• age: 18-65
• meets diagnostic criteria for PTSD (as determined by study assessment)
• may benefit from short-term trauma therapy (as determined by study assessment)

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals with any implants, conditions, etc. that do not comply with 7-Tesla (7T) fMRI research safety standards (e.g., certain implants, pregnancy)
• history of significant head injury/lengthy loss of consciousness (e.g., a Glasgow Coma Scale Score < 15 at the time of incident assessed retrospectively by participant)
• significant untreated medical illness
• history of neurological disorder
• history of any pervasive developmental disorder
• history of bipolar disorder
• history of psychotic disorder
• alcohol/substance abuse or dependence within the last 3 months
• extensive narcotic use
• current participation in counselling more extensive than supportive therapy (e.g., exposure therapy, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy would be an exclusion)
• a degree of mental distress that is unlikely to benefit from a short-term therapy (for our participants' well-being, it will be necessary that we believe it possible to safely address the issues/triggers brought up in treatment within the 8 sessions).