What is BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT), and how can it help with relationship trauma?
When we think of therapy, we often imagine long conversations about our past, examining events in detail to understand why we feel the way we do. While this approach can be helpful for some, it isn’t the only way to make meaningful changes. BrainWorking Recursive Therapy (BWRT) offers a unique and powerful alternative, one that focuses on changing our automatic emotional responses to difficult memories or triggers.
Understanding BWRT
BWRT stands for BrainWorking Recursive Therapy. It’s a modern therapeutic approach developed by UK therapist Terence Watts, designed to help people create lasting changes in their reactions to negative memories or emotional triggers. Instead of requiring you to talk at length about your past experiences, BWRT works by interrupting ingrained thought patterns at their source. It allows us to develop new responses to difficult situations—responses that feel natural and empowering.
In a BWRT session, we focus on creating a different response to a particular trigger. This is done by forming new neural pathways in the brain, replacing unhelpful emotional reactions with healthier ones. It’s a straightforward process that doesn’t require reliving painful memories, making it an appealing option for anyone who finds it difficult or distressing to talk about the past.
How BWRT Addresses Relationship Trauma
Relationship trauma often leaves us with emotional scars, such as fear, sadness, or low self-worth. These feelings can be triggered by memories or situations that remind us of the past, even if we’re consciously trying to move on. For many, it feels like these memories have a hold over us, bringing up intense emotions that we can’t seem to shake.
BWRT is particularly effective for relationship trauma because it doesn’t ask you to dive into every painful detail. Instead, we work together to change how your mind responds to these memories. This approach allows you to let go of the emotional weight attached to past experiences, making it possible to move forward with greater confidence and self-worth.
My Contribution: The Relationship Trauma Protocol
In 2017, I developed the Relationship Trauma Protocol within the BWRT framework to specifically address the unique needs of those affected by relationship trauma. This protocol leverages the power of BWRT to rewire the way you think and feel about past relationships, using positive memories to reshape your emotional landscape. By creating a “bridge” between positive past experiences, the Relationship Trauma Protocol provides a foundation for you to build self-worth and resilience, even after difficult relationships.
What to Expect from a BWRT Session
In a BWRT session, I’ll guide you through a series of steps to shift your response to specific triggers or memories. You don’t need to share any details you’re uncomfortable with—our focus is on how you’d prefer to feel instead. Together, we’ll work to replace old reactions with new ones, helping you move forward without the emotional baggage of past relationships.
Is BWRT Right for You?
Many people find themselves asking, “Will this really work for me?” If you’ve been carrying the effects of relationship trauma, BWRT offers a way to approach healing without being weighed down by painful memories. This method is fast, effective, and doesn’t require you to rehash the past in detail. While everyone’s journey is different, BWRT has helped countless people create the freedom to live with renewed confidence.
If you’re ready to take that first step, I’d be honoured to support you on this journey.
