Limerence: Die Sehnsucht nach Verschmelzung
30. October 2026
NARM therapy Berlin, in English: NARM helps you work with early relational experiences and attachment patterns. As a Heilpraktiker für Psychotherapie, I combine NARM with Somatic Experiencing – queer-affirmative and body-oriented.
According to NARM, we all have core needs in childhood and adolescence: connection, attunement, trust, autonomy, and love and sexuality. When these needs can’t be met, we develop adaptive survival strategies based on shame and pride. Back then, they were essential for our survival – but as adults, they can hold us back, for example as a fear of closeness and commitment.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) was developed by Dr. Peter Levine, based on decades of research into how trauma affects animals and humans. NARM is a newer approach developed by Dr. Laurence Heller. It focuses on developmental trauma and combines SE’s understanding of the nervous system with a psychotherapeutic approach to emotions, relationships and the beliefs we hold about ourselves.
Peter Levine has also worked intensively on developmental trauma in recent years. The two methods differ mainly in their focus: NARM centres on emotional processing, on relationships and on the core dilemma between our longing for connection and our need to protect ourselves. Somatic Experiencing focuses on the whole autonomic nervous system and supports self-regulation and discharge, so that the parts of the nervous system associated with safety, relaxation and social engagement can come back into play.
Which method fits better depends on your situation and the topic you bring. It can be valuable to try both and see what works for you at a given time. In my experience, Somatic Experiencing is often a good way to start – and at a certain point, NARM can open the door to deeper experiences.
NARM is built on four pillars:
This may sound unspectacular – but it creates a space in which deep change can happen.
I’m a queer, certified NARM therapist and combine NARM with Somatic Experiencing, EMDR, Brainspotting and hypnosis.
