If you’re a resident of Poland, please register for this training through Brainspotting Polska.
Digging Roots training consists of two complementary parts: self-paced learning on an online platform and a 3-day in-person training in Warsaw, Poland.
To take part in this training, Phase 1 Brainspotting completion is required.
Price range and training cost:
This will be an international training with participants from all around Europe and translation into Polish.
Registration will remain open until 12 April 2027 due to the required self-study component.
Date: 16-18 April 2027, Warsaw, Poland
Hours:
Friday – Sunday:
10:30 – 19:30 (CEST)
Digging Roots is a training focused on understanding developmental trauma and its impact on the nervous system, relationships, sense of self, and functioning in adult life. The program combines knowledge from the fields of developmental trauma, neurobiology, attachment, and nervous system regulation with the Brainspotting approach and somatic work.
Particular attention is given to how relational experiences during development shape later protective strategies, patterns of relating to others, and the body’s responses to stress
Your registration for this training will include both Foundations online course and Digging Roots in person training. Once you register, you’ll receive a follow-up email with detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to access the online platform and begin the Foundations Pre-Course.
Foundations Pre-Course (Must have Completed Prior to 3 Day in Person)
The Foundations Pre-Course is designed to provide a strong theoretical understanding of developmental trauma and prepare participants for the intensive, experiential learning that takes place during the Digging Roots live, in-person training.
The pre-course combines video-based learning with eight practical assignments. Participants will explore foundational concepts related to developmental trauma while beginning to apply what they are learning through assessment and experiential activities.
The assignments provide opportunities to practice activities that can later be facilitated with clients to support access to developmental trauma activation. They are also designed to help participants identify their own activation access, which can then be used during practicums in the live training.
Completion of the Foundations Pre-Course is required before attending and participating in the live Digging Roots training.
Foundations Pre-Course Learning Objectives:
- Key research findings on Developmental Trauma
- Misdiagnoses like ODD, ADHD, GAD, and their links to trauma
- Proposed Developmental Trauma Disorder diagnosis
- Trauma-focused assessments
- Techniques for deepening emotional access with clients
- Exploring the 24-hour flashback concept and its clinical implications
Digging Roots Live, In-Person Training
Day One: Examining the Dual Attunement Frame in Developmental Trauma
Learning Objectives:
- Key concepts for customizing Brainspotting Phase 1 concepts to meet developmental clients
- Integration of key concepts from the Foundations course
- Understanding childhood physiological capsules
- Examine the Dual Attunement Frame in Developmental Trauma
- Tightening the dual attunement frame to access earlier childhood physiology through trenching the taproot
- Demonstration of trenching the taproot and practicum of trenching the taproot
Day Two: Healing Internalized Childhood Capsules
Learning Objectives:
- Re-Examining Parts work
- where does childhood trauma physiology truely begin
- Healing Key Childhood Moments
- Clean Language
- strategic use of the Brainspotting pointer
- 1 Demonstration and 1 Practicum
- Strategically squeezing the lemon in childhood trauma
Day Three: Healing the Child Within
Learning Objectives:
- considerations for historial and generational trauma
- Integration of developmental trauma focused brainspotting
- Resourcing inside of the childhood trauma capsule
- Strategic Re-Integrating Survivors for lasting results
- Demonstration and practicum of the childhood trauma capsule
Steve Sawyer is the founder of the Developmental Trauma Training Institute and is a dual licensed psychotherapist. With over two decades of engaging with a wide range of client populations spanning a large variety of therapeutic settings, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise. He is a seasoned speaker, author and compassionate innovator. His ground breaking therapeutic approaches that fuel profound change include Cut from the Herd for addictions, Digging Roots Foundations for developmental trauma, and the High Acuity Care model of Brainspotting. Steve’s personal trauma and addictions recovery spark his passion for supporting vulnerable populations with a hope focused message. He is able to make meaningful connections with any audience around stress, trauma and most importantly igniting resiliency in today’s stressed world.
Steve is a leading active International Brainspotting trainer with training of Phases 1 and 2, and he authored the Developmental Trauma-Focused Model of Brainspotting. Steve’s Native-focused work is as a Wellbriety Mending Broken Hearts trainer, and Native Focused Brainspotting trainer. Steve spends time amongst trauma focused treatment masters like Gabor Mate and Bessel Van Der Kolk. Steve’s trainings are recognized nation-wide for cutting edge therapeutic techniques, science, and inspiration.
Information for participants:
This training presents the original Digging Roots model developed by Steve Sawyer, with a focus on developmental trauma, nervous system regulation, and attachment styles. The organizer acknowledges that the program and its educational content were created by Steve Sawyer, while Brainspotting serves as one of the key tools and sources of inspiration integrated into this methodology.
