DNMS is not short-term therapy.  It requires a true desire to heal, and works best with highly motivated clients who want to do this work.  It requires consistency and commitment.  While DNMS is not short-term therapy, it is efficient as it gets to the root of the problems in order to become un-stuck.  It is not a band-aid approach. I have worked with clients who have been in and out of therapy for years, worked through the DNMS, then found that they finally felt free of what was still keeping them stuck after some benefits of previous therapy.

While the DNMS itself has not gone through the extensive process to be considered an evidence-based approach, it is “psychodynamic” (addresses how adult functioning and patterns in emotions, thoughts and behaviors are connected to/ originate in early life experiences).  Psychodynamic therapy is evidence-based.

DNMS is also an “Ego-state therapy” (works with distinct parts/ aspects of self that are fragmented in order to integrate these wounded parts into the whole). Ego-state therapy is a type of psychodynamic therapy.

Memories are not necessary in order to benefit from DNMS, as the focus is on internalized wounding messages (verbalized or not verbalized) from caregivers, rather than memories and events. In fact, DNMS is known to be a “gentler” approach compared to popular trauma therapies.

Again, DNMS is typically experienced as a gentler approach to dealing with difficult experiences.  That said, many clients become significantly fatigued after sessions in which we are in the depths of processing and healing.  To prepare for this, I encourage clients to schedule such DNMS visits on days that will be otherwise less demanding, with time for recovery/ rest/ self-care afterward.  A lesser-reported experience is the “stirring” of old wounding messages/ wounded parts.  I work diligently during this therapy to inform clients about “self-soothing” strategies between visits.

Yes, DNMS may not be right for you if: you are not willing/ able to make a commitment to consistent sessions, if you experience severe emotional dysregulation/ instability, if you have untreated ADD/ ADHD, if your mental health struggles are NOT related to trauma & attachment wounds, if you are in active addiction or detox, are experiencing an untreated eating disorder or are acutely suicidal.