In the last two decades there has been a proliferation of literature within the field of developmental trauma that foregrounds the unfolding neurobiological implications of early life neglect and abuse on the developing brain. While offering a solid framework for understanding the long-term effects of developmental trauma on children, young people and adults, there is an absence of literature about the specific impacts of early-life shock on the developing neural architecture of brainstem systems that mediate connection and attachment. DBR highlights the significance of processing shock for the successful transformational healing of trauma. Thus, we cannot talk about developmental trauma without considering early life shock and the co-embodied origins of connection. We also cannot talk about developmental trauma without considering the painful presence of absence.
Early-life Shock, Pre-attachment Wounding
and the Painful Presence of Absence
In-person, Finland
In DBR, the formation of the innate connection system precedes the development of attachment and the neural architecture supporting this is already developing in utero. This crucial distinction in the developmental timing of connection and attachment is largely overlooked in the attachment literature. In this DBR: A Developmental Training on Early-life Shock, Pre-attachment Wounding and the Painful Presence of Absence , we emphasise the significance of ‘connection’, beginning within the body of another’ as foundational to scaffolding our ‘capacity’ for attachment. We suggest that while the presence of the maternal body - with all its ‘unique bio-rhythmic and bio-dynamic provisions’ - is deemed important, it is not seen as fundamentally essential; rather a sensitively attuned ‘caregiver’ may potentially play an equal role.  While the ‘caregiver’ provides a powerful neuroprotective buffer, the loss of essential presence through early life separation shock may still constitute a core existential wound to Being and Belonging.
In DBR, we see the painful presence of absence as part of the origins of early life shock and pre-attachment wounding. It is also considered to be a key component of developmental trauma. We suggest that the loss of essential presence or the ambiguity between presence and absence not only deeply compromises the capacity to ‘turn towards’ connection but also underpins the strategic organisation of attachment. Considering the painful presence of absence within the context of the maternal body is challenging for us all.  Exploring shock-related disruptions in bio-rhythmic synchrony may offer deep insights into how the painful presence of absence configures the capacity for attachment potentially throughout life.
Based on the groundbreaking work of Dr Frank Corrigan, developer and founder of DBR, this DBR: A Developmental Training on Early-life Shock, Pre-attachment Wounding and the Painful Presence of Absence, with its emphasis on early-life shock, pre-attachment wounding and the painful presence of absence, further deepens our understanding of the application of DBR to all our patients with early life history of developmental trauma, including children and young people.
This training is aimed at fully registered mental health professionals who have already completed DBR Core training - level 1 & 2.