By Tessa Marie, LMFT

Types of Therapy

When it comes to therapy, there are two main approaches to accomplishing the type of healing and change people are looking for:

  1. “Top-down” therapy, which works with the top part of the brain–the prefrontal cortex–where logic, rational thinking, and executive functioning skills occur. This kind of therapy is what’s commonly thought of when people think of traditional talk therapy. In this therapy work, using the logical part of the brain, emotions are identified, problems are discussed, solutions are explored, and skills are implemented with the hope that over time with consistent work, application, and new experiences, the effects will trickle down and create change in the parts of the brain where the more automatic, implicitly held emotions, sense of safety, and reactions occur. 
  2. ”Bottom-up” therapy, which targets the deeper parts of our brain where implicitly held beliefs about self, the world, and relationships, automatic reactions, and emotions are stored. Bringing healing to this part of the brain allows changes to then naturally emerge into the top prefrontal cortex, bringing an improved view of oneself, ability to engage in relationships with more ease, feel a sense of safety, and an increased ability to identify and seek out support when needed. 

While both types of therapy are incredibly important and have their place, I love bottom-up therapy because of its ability to bring healing to the root cause instead of having to work so hard all the time applying skills to manage symptoms and stay afloat. Just like the body knows how to heal from a cut or broken bone, with the right conditions in place, we each have the ability to heal in deep ways that create a day-to-day life experience of more ease, flexibility, and connection to self and others.

Lifespan Integration

Lifespan Integration is one of a handful of bottom-up therapy approaches. It works gently and deeply to bring healing to both body and mind, which is particularly essential when trauma has occurred. 

Lifespan Integration accomplishes three things: 

  1. Core building (self-compassion, sense of self)
  2. Trauma clearing (specific events or repeated, ongoing, complex trauma)
  3. Attachment repair (childhood wounds, difficulty in relationships)

I have found that most all difficulties brought to therapy are related to issues with one, if not all three, of these categories. Below is a list of issues, though not exhaustive, that can be addressed using Lifespan Integration therapy:

  • Creating a more solid sense of self, inner knowing, inner trust, and self-compassion
  • PTSD and CPTSD
  • Negative self talk
  • Childhood abuse, neglect, or other losses such as divorce or death of a parent
  • Recovering from a violent relationship or divorce
  • Nervous system & emotion regulation
  • Codependency
  • Generalized Anxiety and Depression
  • Compulsive or addictive behavior
  • Insecure attachment styles
  • Inner child healing
  • Grief and loss
  • Birth and adoption trauma
  • Religious or faith transitions

How it Works

Current neuroscience and research make it clear that neural integration is key to overall mental health and well-being, resilience and flexibility in life, and healing from the effects of trauma. Lifespan Integration creates the necessary conditions to increase neural integration throughout the body and mind. 

While there are many different protocols, or types of sessions, within Lifespan Integration, one thing they all have in common is going through quick, repeated, chronological memory cues over the course of one’s life (ex: first day of kindergarten, learn to drive, get married, etc). These repeated trips through one’s life story can almost be considered a type of physical therapy which builds and strengthens neural connections across time in the body-mind system. This is done at each person’s pace with an attuned therapist to aid in creating a gentle, healing experience. 

The more internally connected we are (aka integrated) at this neural level, the stronger our core sense of self and well-being, and the greater our ability to respond in regulated, adaptive ways to present stressors. While different protocols utilize additional elements to specifically target trauma clearing, attachment repair, and core building–all of them contain timeline repetitions, which is an element unique to Lifespan Integration therapy.

Since Lifespan Integration is working with deeper parts of the brain, to some extent it won’t make sense or sounds strange at first and that’s largely because it’s not geared towards the logical brain (or you have to have a good understanding of neuroscience, which is not everyone’s forte or interest :)). Lifespan Integration works in a different way from traditional talk therapy to access a different type of healing–getting to the root. Sometimes we need something different to get somewhere we haven’t been yet, and I’ve seen time and time again that Lifespan Integration is the “something different” that makes all the difference for my clients.

Summary

In short, Lifespan Integration creates the conditions in therapy for the brain and body to naturally heal in deep, needed ways, all while being gentle and does not run the risk of re-traumatizing. It also does not require a robust or even good memory; having a bad memory can actually be a sign of being a great candidate for this treatment, and memory gaps tend to fill in over time with this approach. 

People who’ve experienced Lifespan Integration therapy report reacting to current stressors with more clarity and equanimity. They act in more age-appropriate, regulated ways, without having to work to apply a coping skill. They feel added confidence in their daily lives and can develop stronger relationships with spouses, partners, and family members. Their lives feel more connected and whole, with an accompanying increased sense of self and acceptance. 

If you’re interested, feel free to set up a session with me or another Lifespan Integration therapist where we can discuss further and get started!