The Sequential Trauma Narrative (STN) Model

The Logic of the Sequence

Traditional trauma treatment often fails because it overlooks the biological “lock” of the nervous system. The STN Model is built on the principle that stabilization must precede processing, and processing must precede narrative integration. This phased approach ensures that First Responders, Veterans, and victims of professional betrayal are never pushed beyond their physiological capacity to heal.

Phase 1: Physiological Stabilization & Somatic Integration

The Foundation: Moving from Survival Mode to the Window of Tolerance.

Before a client can engage in meaningful reflection, the “high-arousal noise” of the brain must be quieted. This phase is rooted in Dr. Dadson’s research on the Neurological Pathways of PTSD (2009, 2010), which utilized neuroimaging to prove that trauma is a physical injury to the brain’s electrical patterns.

  • LENS Neurofeedback: We utilize Low Energy Neurofeedback to target cortical suppression and hyper-arousal. This “bottom-up” intervention gently interrupts trauma loops, allowing the brain to regain its natural flexibility.
  • The Somatic Bridge (Active Rehab & RMT): Trauma is stored in the “guarding” patterns of the body. By integrating Registered Massage Therapy and Kinesiology, we address chronic pain and autonomic bracing. This ensures the body is no longer sending “danger” signals to the brain, creating a physical sense of safety.
  • Outcome: The client moves from a state of chronic hyper-vigilance into a regulated “Window of Tolerance,” where the prefrontal cortex can come back online.

Phase 2: Attachment, Relational Repair & Sensory Processing

The Heart: Undoing Aloneness and Healing the Intergenerational Script.

Once the body is calm, we address the relational fractures. This phase draws heavily on the research published by Stewart, Dadson, and Fallding (2011) regarding attachment and mentalization in complex trauma.

  • AEDP as Sensory Psychotherapy: Using Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, we don’t just talk about emotions; we track them as sensory experiences. By focusing on somatic micro-shifts (breath, tone, posture), we process “unbearable” emotions in a safe, relational container.
  • Healing Intergenerational Injuries: Informed by Dr. Dadson’s UBC Doctoral Research (2005), we examine how “inherited” trauma scripts—particularly regarding father-son relationships and male psychology—impact current recovery. We work to “un-shame” these injuries, replacing them with a secure therapeutic attachment.
  • Outcome: The reduction of the “phobia of self-experience.” The client begins to feel safe within their own skin and secure in their connection to others.

Phase 3: Narrative Meta-Integration & Fragmentation Repair

The Mind: Reclaiming the Story from the Fragments of the Past.

Trauma shatters the timeline of a life, leaving behind fragmented memories that feel like a never-ending present. This phase uses the principles of Narrative Restoration to move the client from being “acted upon” to acting with agency.

  • Repairing Structural Dissociation: Based on the work of Stewart & Dadson (2011), we bridge fragmented parts of the self. We move the trauma from an isolated “loop” into a coherent historical timeline.
  • The Meta-Narrative Construction: We help the client construct an overarching Mega-Life Narrative. The traumatic event is reimagined as a “meta-narrative”—a significant chapter integrated into their history, but no longer dominating their identity.
  • Outcome: The client achieves a sense of resolution and empowerment. They are no longer a victim of a sequence, but the author of a peaceful and coherent future.

Phase 4: Collective Restoration & Intensive Group Processing

The Community: The Witnessed Return to Purpose and Connection.

The final phase recognizes that trauma recovery is incomplete until it is validated by a community. This phase utilizes the Veterans Transition Network (VTN) protocols developed in collaboration with Dr. Marv Westwood and Dr. Marla Buchanan.

  • Therapeutic Enactment (TE): A high-impact, action-based protocol (Westwood & Dadson, 2014) where clients enact and resolve traumatic scenes in a safe, witnessed environment. This allows for a “collective unburdening” and the final release of deep-seated somatic tension.
  • Life Review & Re-Entry: A structured review of the recovery journey, preparing the client for a successful return to their family, profession, and community.
  • Outcome: Total Narrative Success. The client returns to their life with a restored sense of purpose.

A Legacy of Service: The Path to Restoration

The STN Model is the culmination of a 36-year professional journey—a legacy built on decades of listening to the stories of those who have faced the unimaginable. While this framework is built on a foundation of academic rigor, peer-reviewed research, and national advocacy (including my 2016 Parliamentary Testimony), its true heart is found in the quiet, courageous work of the clients who walk through our doors.

Developing this methodology has been a collaborative effort, shaped by deep partnerships with researchers at UBC, the Veterans Transition Network, and my colleagues at Gentle Currents Therapy. It is a model born from the belief that healing is about providing the right sequence of support so the body and mind can find their natural way back to peace.

In this practice, we are dedicated to helping what often feels impossible become a tangible reality. Our goal is simple: to help you move from the weight of a fragmented past toward the clarity of a restored and coherent future.

The Gentle Currents Commitment

Under the STN framework, our multidisciplinary team—from Clinical Counsellors and Neurofeedback technicians to Kinesiologists and RMTs—works as a synchronized community of care. We are here to ensure that your recovery is seen, supported, and complete.

Access the Professional 30-Page STN Trauma Model White Paper by Dr. Michael Dadson

Gain access to the STN Methodology & Research Foundation, a comprehensive 30-page white paper developed for clinicians, legal professionals, first responders, and other trauma-informed practitioners. This resource outlines the principles of Sequential Processing—from physiology through to the emergence of a reorganized self.—while introducing the model’s defining concepts. Complete the form below to access this high-authority document and explore how the STN framework supports structured, collaborative trauma recovery in both clinical and case management settings.