Understanding Trauma through Connection and Curiosity

Convos from the Couch by LifeStance Health · Jul 3, 2026 · 39m

Sabrena Ness joins us for a thoughtful conversation on the Neuro Affective Relational Model (NARM) and what it reveals about developmental trauma. We explore how our earliest experiences quietly shape the ways we show up in relationships, navigate emotions, and understand ourselves. Sabrena offers a refreshing shift in perspective—moving away from “fixing” behaviors and toward approaching them with curiosity and compassion. Along the way, we unpack key ideas like connection versus disconnection, adaptive survival styles, and why many of our patterns are protective responses rather than…