Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM)

What is TRM?

The Trauma Resiliency Model (TRM) is a biologically based, somatic therapy designed to help individuals understand and regulate their nervous system responses. Unlike traditional talk therapy, TRM focuses on shifting the body out of survival states—such as hyperarousal, shutdown, or overwhelm—by teaching clients concrete skills that support regulation and present-moment awareness. TRM is grounded in neuroscience and polyvagal theory, and research has shown it can reduce anxiety, improve emotional stability, and support healing from trauma (Grabbe & Miller-Karas, 2017).

How TRM Helps

TRM for Anxiety

Anxiety often lives in the body, creating racing thoughts, tightness, restlessness, or a sense of danger. TRM helps calm the autonomic nervous system so you can shift out of fight-or-flight and feel more grounded. Clients learn body-based skills they can use anytime anxiety spikes.

TRM for Trauma

For trauma survivors, the body often continues to react as if the danger is still present. TRM works directly with these physiological patterns, helping you gently restore balance, reduce hypervigilance, and feel safer in your body again.

What Sessions Look Like

TRM sessions move at your pace. We focus on noticing body sensations, learning regulation skills, and expanding the amount of time your nervous system can stay in its “resilient zone.” TRM is gentle, collaborative, and always grounded in choice.

References

Grabbe, L., & Miller-Karas, E. (2017). The Trauma Resiliency Model: A “bottom-up” intervention for trauma psychotherapy. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 23(5), 341–349.