The 5 Neurocellular Patterns
Trauma Therapist Training
Somatic Skills & Neurocellular Patterning
Today I want to introduce you to a concept developed by Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen, a movement artist, researcher, therapist, and a pioneer in mind-body work.
Bonnie explains how our neurological behaviors link back to 5 neurocellular patterns that we develop in the early years of life. These patterns are simple movements in infancy that become more complex and nuanced as we grow through childhood.
Five Somatic Neurocellular Patterns
The 5 behaviors include:
Yield
Push
Pull
Reach
Grasp
Environments of stress or neglect affect the successful development of each pattern– and when (or more) is stunted or overdeveloped, it will present as various struggles in daily life.
The 5 Neurocellular Patterns and Somatic Trauma Therapy Skills
Bonnie's work is deeply connected to trauma therapy because whatever themes our client presents in the therapy room– such as powerlessness, aloneness, over-responsibility, and many other behaviors we’ll tackle in this mini-series– can be linked back to dysfunction in one of these physical developmental behaviors.
The important thing to know is that when one (or more) of these patterns were not developed optimally, it isn’t too late to re-learn them later in life. Noticing the themes within our clients actions that signify too much or a lack of one of these developmental movements, highlights the pathway of healing.
We can help our clients restore balance in their lives by somatically and behaviorally teaching them to strengthen their neurocellular movements.
For the next few days, I’ll break down each of the 5 patterns and explain how they might clinically present in a client.
Warmly,
Esther G