Trauma Processing Using the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)

Our primary treatment approach at ATTCH Niagara is the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)®.  ITATM is an embodied model that uses an integrative and neurosequential approach for the reprocessing and reappraisal of the central details of trauma memories.  It is a rich integrative approach with components of sensory processing, somatic therapy, art, visualization, resourcing and reframing in an integrative and structured manner to regulate the body, brain and mind simultaneously. One of the best features for clients is that they don't need to talk about what happened! We have actively been using this model with great efficacy for treating complex trauma. It is a highly effective and accelerated treatment model for treating the underlying issues causing the pain, addiction, suicide ideation, high risk behaviour etc.

Using the Integrative Trauma and Attachment Treatment Model (ITATM)® we observe statistically and clinically significant reductions in PTSD, suicide ideation, tension reduction behaviours (self-harm, addictions, high risk behaviours), anger, depression, anxiety, and dissociation are observed with the use of our treatment approach. These are areas that often impact daily life skills, education, employment, the ability to remain regulated, maintaining safe housing, utilization of high risk and crisis services,  etc.

Results from the program evaluation of our model completed by Victoria Dobson and Dr. Paul Frewen, Western University Hospital demonstrated clinically and statistically significant changes in these areas, often with observable reductions occurring in as few as 5-6 sessions! This is not to say everyone is fully recovered at the completion of treatment as we are working with complex trauma and as such there are no easy solutions. However these are outcomes that are very realistic of a complex trauma population and demonstrate that there is benefit to the treatment being offered.

Average reductions at the time of review in high risk areas were as follows:

• Anxiety (13.89 point decrease)
• Depression (14.44 point decrease)
• Suicidality (15.11 point decrease)
• Anger (9.56 point reduction)
• Dissociation (12.56 point decrease)
• Trauma (14.33 point decrease)
• Tension reduction behaviour (14.22 point decrease)
• Externalizing behaviours (14.89 point decrease)

These are areas that often impact daily life skills, the ability to remain regulated, maintain safe housing, utilization of high risk and crisis services etc. As such any reductions in these areas demonstrates a positive shift towards a more emotionally regulated state. 

With our model we get into the processing and rather quickly however we do work with one trauma at a time to prevent flooding. Because neurons fire together and wire together and group in neural networks we also do not need to process every experience of trauma. Processing the most charged (and often earliest experiences) will often generalize to other more recent experiences through the benefit of generalizing / memory chaining. Making the model much more accelerated with most people requiring an average of 20-30 sessions rather than several years of therapy.