Frequently Asked Questions
The NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) is an integrated mind-body approach for addressing the long-term impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Trauma (C-PTSD), including attachment, relational, developmental, cultural and intergenerational trauma.
NARM was created by Dr. Laurence Heller and introduced in the book he co-authored with Dr. Aline LaPierre, Healing Developmental Trauma.
NARM is a developmentally-oriented, neuroscientifically-informed model that emerged out of earlier psychotherapeutic orientations including, but not limited to: Psychodynamic Psychotherapy; Developmental, Self and Object Relations Psychology; Depth Psychology; Attachment Theory; Somatic Psychology, including Somatic Experiencing, Gestalt Therapy and other Somatic approaches; and Relationally-based Psychotherapeutic approaches. NARM draws heavily from the current literature on interpersonal neurobiology and neuroscience.
NARM also has roots in non-Western wisdom traditions, and acknowledges and appreciates those theories and theorists who are less well-known, those from outside of traditional psychology, and those whose contributions have been minimized or ignored. NARM draws from different cultural and spiritual traditions and honors the wellspring of traditional wisdom and healing practices that have inspired and shaped the NARM approach.
The NARM Training Institute, LLC is a professional training organization, established in 2018, dedicated to trauma-informed training for helping professionals in a variety of formats. We believe that NARM has much to contribute to the rapidly growing trauma-informed movement and we are focused on supporting these efforts.
Similar to the Psychoanalytic Institutes/Societies that propelled psychotherapy into mainstream acceptance in the 20th century, the NARM Training Institute is passionate about bringing NARM into mainstream acceptance in the 21st century. In addition to professional training on complex trauma, we promote education, research, outreach and advocacy.
Our training team, staff and community consists of passionate professionals committed to humanizing complex trauma treatment and supporting post-traumatic growth.
NARM Training Institute’s mission is to humanize the field of psychotherapy through the use of the NeuroAffective Relational Model. This groundbreaking approach helps correct the power imbalance between the therapist, and counters the reductive tendency to consider individuals as a limited combination of parts, such as anatomy, brain chemistry, personal history, pathology, biology, physiology, etc. The NARM Training Institute intends to de-pathologize the fields of psychology and psychotherapy by making NARM more known and accessible to the world.
NARM Training Institute is extremely proud of our team and invite you to get to know them on our website: https://narmtraining.com/our-team/.
While NARM was initially created for psychotherapists and those pursuing such credentials, participants in NARM Training programs have included mental health professionals, coaches, substance abuse and addiction counselors, doctors, nurses, other medical professionals, first responders, educators, coaches, spiritual and religious counselors. If you are unsure if you are a good fit for our trainings, please email [email protected].
Please note that participation in some NARM programming is limited to licensed mental health professionals. Please review each offering’s website to learn about any eligibility restrictions.
NARM is one of the first psychotherapeutic approaches specifically designed to address developmental and complex trauma (C-PTSD). While there are many trauma modalities designed to address PTSD (shock-trauma) and subsequently modified for complex trauma, NARM is specifically designed for the clinical treatment of C-PTSD (complex trauma).
NARM works both “top-down” and “bottom-up” with the various levels of human experience (cognitive, emotional, physiological, relational and spiritual) that are impacted by unresolved complex trauma. Unlike most other modalities, NARM focuses on working within the present moment, it is non-regressive and aims to understand existing patterns of behavior and disconnection that are negatively impacting client experience and causing symptoms.
In addition to being a clinical model, NARM offers a developmental model and a model of human functioning. Many NARM graduates share that the NARM Training profoundly shifts the way they work, while also impacting their personal lives.
The NARM Training Institute offers online trainings that are accessible internationally. However, all live virtual programming is scheduled for US timezones. The timing of the programming can thus be, at times, inconvenient for those residing in other locations. We encourage you to reach out to us at [email protected] to see if we can offer programming conducive to your timezone.
Depending on your education and licensing credentials, you may be able to start at either NARM-Informed Professional or NARM Therapist training.
NARM-Informed Professional Training is a live, virtual training offered to a range of helping professionals, predominantly attended by mental health professionals and coaches. This psychoeducational training is designed to support professionals working with populations that experience Complex Trauma, and provides in-depth information on the NARM therapeutic model. Those that have participated in our NARM-Informed Professional training include mental health professionals, coaches, substance abuse and addiction counselors, doctors, nurses, legal professionals, first responders, educators, spiritual and religious workers, among others. This training helps professionals become more trauma-informed in their work. Graduates of this training can apply to become NARM-Informed Professionals and be listed on the NARM Practitioner Directory.
NARM Therapist Training is a live, in-person and/or virtual training program designed for licensed mental health professionals, current mental health graduate students, and active clinical interns/trainees. Others who are legally permitted to practice psychotherapy (e.g., clergy or psychiatric nurses) may also apply. This clinical training is designed to train mental health professionals in addressing the long-term impacts of ACEs and C-PTSD, and support integration of NARM therapy into their clinical practice. Graduates of this training can apply to become NARM Therapists and be listed on the NARM Practitioner Directory. The NARM Training Institute does not currently offer Therapist training. The Complex Trauma Training Center administers these trainings in the US, and there are multiple providers that offer these trainings in Europe. You can reach out to CTTC at [email protected], or contact [email protected] for information on European training.
NARM-Informed Professional Training is a psychoeducational training offered to a range of helping professionals in a live online format, attended predominantly by mental health and coaching professionals. This training includes 60 hours of didactic, interactive and experiential learning.
NARM Therapist Training is a clinical training designed for licensed mental health professionals, current mental health graduate students, and active clinical interns/trainees in both in-person, hybrid and virtual formats. This training includes 120 hours of didactic, interactive and experiential learning, focusing on integrating NARM into a psychotherapeutic practice.
The primary difference between these two trainings are that NARM-Informed Professional Training is a psychoeducational training, applicable to a broader range of professions, whereas the Therapist Training is focused on developing clinical application skills. The Therapist Training is a greater commitment in terms of time and cost, but maybe a great starting point for psychotherapeutic professionals who are sure they would like to integrate NARM into their clinical practice.
No. The NARM-Informed Professional Training is a non-clinical, psychoeducational program designed to teach the principles of the NARM model. It does not provide clinical assessment training, diagnostic guidance, or scope-of-practice instruction for non-licensed professionals.
All participants are expected to work within the ethical and legal scope of their own profession. Practicing NARM—whether as a coach, therapist, or other helping professional—must always be aligned with your own training, qualifications, and legal authority.
If you’re ever unsure about whether something falls within your scope, we strongly encourage you to seek supervision or consultation within your own field, or contact your relevant professional association.
If you are not a licensed mental health professional, mental health graduate student or active clinical intern/trainee, you are eligible for the NARM-Informed Professional Training.
Additionally, we would encourage you to join our NARM Inner Circle Membership Program.
Other ongoing learning resources include our our YouTube channel, our webinars, as well as our Resources pages on our website, which have additional learning opportunities.
If you have completed NARM-Informed Professional Training, you can also continue learning in our ongoing monthly NARM-Informed Professional Group Case Consults.
NARM Training Institute does not have a recommended pathway for licensed mental health professionals. Licensed mental health professionals can start at either NARM-Informed Professional or NARM Therapist Training. Some distinctions between the two trainings that may influence your decision are as follows:
The NARM-Informed Professional Training is a psychoeducational training that presents the theoretical framework of NARM through extensive didactic and experiential learning. This training is not a clinical skills-based training for licensed psychotherapists, but supports multiple professional fields in a broader understanding of the NARM clinical model and principles, which they can bring back to their work settings related to complex trauma.
The NARM Therapist Training is a clinical training that includes extensive didactic and experiential learning, in addition to substantial clinical support, including active coaching practice provided by NARM trainers in small group settings and ongoing case and experiential consults. For those licensed mental health professionals, current graduate students and clinical interns/trainees who wish to clinically train in NARM, the Therapist Training would be the best place to start.
It is worth noting that the Therapist Training is a greater commitment in terms of duration and cost. Prospective participants should take all these factors into consideration when deciding which training is the best for their needs.
No. The NARM Training Institute does not currently offer NARM Therapist Trainings. Our standard cancellation policy applies regardless of the reason for which an individual decides to withdraw from a training.
No. To be eligible for the NARM Master Therapist Training, you need to first complete the NARM Therapist Training.
Similarly, to be eligible for the Post-Masters Immersion Training, you need to complete the NARM Master Therapist Training.
No. The NARM Training Institute is not an evaluative body and does not offer certification. However, the Institute does offer Professional Certificates to those that complete the training certificate programs and requirements.
Please note: how you apply the learning and experience from your NARM Training to your work depends on your own education and training, licensure, and scope of practice. Any questions about your scope of practice should be directed to your professional association, licensing board, or relevant legal, ethical, or clinical resources for your professional discipline. The NARM Training Institute, including NARM faculty and staff, are in no way responsible for your application of NARM theory and skills, and will not be able to answer, nor be held liable, for any legal or ethical issues regarding your use of NARM.
The NARM Training Institute and our partners offer three professional certificates that correspond to the four levels of NARM Training. These certificates require the completion of the corresponding training, as well as the completion of additional learning requirements that are specific to each level of training.
- NARM-Informed Professional Training graduates who meet the attendance requirement and complete the additional certificate requirements are awarded a NARM-Informed Professional Certificate.
- NARM Therapist Training graduates who meet the attendance requirement and complete the additional certificate requirements are awarded a NARM Therapist or NARM Practitioner Certificate.
- NARM Master Training graduates who meet the attendance requirement and complete the additional certificate requirements are awarded a NARM Master Therapist or Master Practitioner Certificate.
- NARM Post-Masters Fellow Program participants who meet the attendance requirement and complete the additional Certificate requirements are awarded a NARM (Post-Masters) Fellow Certificate.
Training certificates are awarded to graduates who meet the attendance requirement and complete the certificate requirements within one year following the completion of their training. Training-specific certificate requirements can be found on each training website, and in participant training portals.
Certificate requirements differ by level of training. To find out the requirements specific to your training level please visit your Training Portal, or your training webpage.
If you are not able to find your certificate requirements or have any other questions, please email [email protected] and specify your training cohort (e.g. NARM-Informed Professional, Spring 2026). Please note that you will need to contact your training organizer, if your training is being managed by another organization.
Yes, experiential learning opportunities that are part of certificate requirements, such as consults, supervisions, experiential consults and active coaching, are purchased at an additional cost.
Your participant resources were made available in your training portal. The training portal includes your training handbook, training slides, certificate requirements, training video recording, CE instructions and other helpful information.
Training portal login information was sent out to you via email approximately one week before the beginning of your training. Access to the materials is offered for one year following the completion of the training (for example, if you completed your training in December 17th of 2023, your materials access would expire on December 17th of 2024).
If you are unable to find your materials, or are having difficulty logging into your portal please email: [email protected].
Recorded modules of the training are made available via the online training portal approximately one week after the completion of each module. Please check your training portal to access your videos. The training recordings will be available to you for one year following the completion of your training.
You will have access to the portal and its materials for one full year after the completion of the last module. For example, if your training completed on December 14th of 2024, you will have access to the portal until December 14th of 2025.
The educational materials provided to you at NARM Trainings are for your reference and to deepen your understanding of NARM. You are not authorized to copy, reproduce, or share your training materials in any form without the prior written permission of the NARM Training Institute. Completion of a NARM Training does not entitle you to integrate NARM content into clinical or commercial programs without prior permission. Please refer to NARM Institute’s Brand Policy and email: [email protected] with inquires.
No. While NARM Training Institute appreciates you wanting to share NARM with others, the portal and all training materials are proprietary information and are designated for NARM participants’ use only. Please do not share these resources with anyone. This includes the training slides, confidential videos, or other training materials. If you’d like to share with your colleagues and friends, please refer them to the NARM Inner Circle, our YouTube videos, or published books.
For graduates of the NARM Therapist Training and above, you may request the “NARM Presentation” PowerPoint slides to present NARM to others. Our training graduates use these slides to present to colleagues, organizations and conferences. If you would like to inquire about receiving this presentation, please reach out to us at: [email protected].
Please refer to NARM’s Brand Policy, and if applicable, the IP Request form found on the last page of the policy document.
NARM Training Institute only allows the use of its intellectual property, namely, its trademarks, logos or copyrighted material, in books, journals, articles, blog posts, web pages, presentations, programs, or other publications whether published online or in print with NARM’s prior written permission. If you are interested in such use, please submit your request using the IP Request Form in the Brand Policy.
You may use NARM intellectual property on Printed Material without written permission solely if (i) such use is not in violation of any laws or regulations of the United States, including, but not limited to copyright infringement and privacy protection laws; (ii) you expressly state that such use has not been approved or endorsed by NARM; and (iii) you abide by the terms of our Brand Policy
When using NARM Intellectual Property, you must clearly state applicable attributions (such as trademark and copyright notices) and always credit the NARM brand accordingly. The NARM Training Institute is required to protect its copyrighted and Trademarked materials to the fullest extent of the law.
You are welcome to create a presentation on NARM to others in an academic setting, if you have completed the NARM Therapist Training, with permission from the NARM Training Institute. Outside of the academic setting, only pre-approved trainers are authorized to teach NARM content. If you are interested in bringing NARM to your organization, class, program or conference, we invite you to reach out to us at: [email protected].
Completion of NARM Training does not automatically entitle graduates to integrate NARM content into clinical or educational programs. Please refer to our Brand Policy for more specific information. If you are a NARM-trained therapist and are interested in integrating NARM programmatically, please contact us with details: [email protected].
All NARM participants and graduates are permitted (and encouraged) to incorporate their NARM Training into their professional work according to their professional license, certification and/or within their scope of practice.
The Inner Circle is a great way to deepen into ongoing learning of the NeuroAffective Relational Model.
This engaging online program offers several invaluable continuing learning opportunities, including:
Each month, NARM Faculty present NARM Demonstration sessions with real clients. Following the session, Faculty will debrief the session, providing a look “behind the curtain” to share how NARM is applied in real time, including the theory and specific skills that are being used. Participants have an opportunity to engage directly with NARM Faculty in asking questions about NARM application.
Each month, NARM Faculty present NARM Topic Webinars that cover different complex trauma-related topics, where participants have an opportunity ask questions and engage with NARM Faculty directly. These topics are generated from the Inner Circle community to support a wide range of learning within NARM.
Additionally, participants have access to a private Facebook group which is a place to interact directly with NARM Faculty and other community members, network, share resources, and stay current with ongoing developments within NARM and the trauma-informed field. There are also live Q&As and other live events that are hosted through this Facebook group.
Additionally, participants in the annual membership will receive an e-book on the NARM approach to working with emotions, have first access to NARM events and offerings, and other learning resources.
There is no prerequisite for membership to the Inner Circle. It is a great way to introduce yourself to NARM before engaging in one of our professional trainings, or to further support your understanding of NARM.
NARM teachers are open to collaborating in support of podcasts, programs or conferences. Please email us at [email protected].
If you’re interested in inviting a NARM presenter to speak at an event, or hosting a NARM presentation or training in your area please email: [email protected]
Please refer to your training page on our website for tuition cost. Go to the website of the course you want to attend. Scroll down to Pricing section for the detailed costs.
Yes. If you are interested in obtaining NARM-Informed Professional, or the NARM Post-Masters Fellow Certificates, there are additional learning activities that are part of those Training Certificate programs and that carry additional costs.
You may choose not to participate in the NARM Certificate programs, completing the training certificates is not required. We do, however, strongly recommend participating in all available learning activities to deepen your learning and skill.
Yes, we offer group discounts to organizations (ie., agencies, clinics, group practices, etc.) who send three or more individuals to a NARM Training at one time. If you are looking for specific group discounts, please email [email protected].
For inquiries about in-service trainings, please contact us to discuss available options specific to your group size at [email protected].
No, at this time no scholarships are available for our programs. We do offer student discounts for those who are enrolled in a degree program or are still actively pursuing licensure through internships or apprenticeships.
Yes, we offer a 20% discount for currently enrolled graduate students and clinical interns for NARM-Informed Professional Training. Please register for student pricing on the training page. If you cannot find student pricing on our website, please email [email protected].
There are no discounts available for the Certificate-related programming, including Group Consults.
If you would like to access your billing information and transaction details, go to your training portal and go to the Billing section. There you will be able to modify future payment information or download an invoice of past transactions. If you need additional documentation, please email [email protected].
You are welcome to quote from the NARM books in your work provided that quotes are appropriately attributed and not presented in a way that implies that Dr. Heller, other authors, or the NARM Training Institute is endorsing the work. If you are looking to use more than quotes, including content longer than a short paragraph, or adapting key NARM concepts, please contact us for permission in advance at [email protected].
NARM Training materials are not for public use. Training materials are for the learning of our participants and intended for private use only. NARM Training materials may not be copied, reproduced, or shared in any form without prior written permission of the NARM Training Institute. If you do want to use any NARM Training materials publicly, please contact us for permission in advance at [email protected].
Credit should include full name and book title, per the following examples:
Laurence Heller, Ph.D., [insert book title]
The NARM Training Institute, LLC [insert information source]
You may download our logos for use in accordance with our Brand Policy. If you have a current agreement with the NARM Training Institute, you may download our logos for use in accordance with the terms of your current agreement and the logo use guidelines in our Brand Policy. NARM logos can be downloaded at: www.narmtraining.com/logos.
The NARM Training Institute is a professional training institute and as such does not provide treatment nor help you find treatment for you or your loved one.
The NARM Training Institute Practitioner Directory is where you can connect with a NARM provider. Review full profiles of professionals that have completed NARM training, including contact information. You can contact practitioners directly to get more information about their offerings.
The NARM Training Institute does not offer consultation on individual cases and does not recommend specific providers. However, you are welcome to browse through the NARM Training Institute Practitioner Directory, where professionals who have participated in NARM trainings provide their level of training and contact information.
While the NARM Training Institute does verify every provider’s level of NARM training, each provider is responsible for keeping their licenses and certifications up-to-date. It will be up to the individual client to verify the NARM provider’s licensure and credentials.
The NARM therapeutic model is designed to address the long-term impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), which includes such areas as attachment, developmental, relational, cultural and intergenerational trauma. If you have been impacted by any of these forms of trauma, NARM therapy may be the right treatment option for you.
NARM therapy is not designed to address PTSD, or what is referred to as shock trauma or one-time event trauma. NARM therapy is designed to address Complex-PTSD.
If you or your loved one has a severe mental health diagnoses such as a psychotic, dissociative, or addictive disorder, you will need to speak to a mental health provider to determine what treatment is right for you.
There are NARM providers that are using a NARM-informed approach for couples, families and children. You are welcome to browse through the NARM Training Institute Practitioner Directory to review full profiles of professionals that have completed NARM Training.
If you believe someone is misrepresenting themselves as a NARM trainer, provider or participant, please email us at [email protected] with your inquiry.