Harnessing inner strength and holistic healing to overcome trauma and thrive

Servicing adults in California

Comprehensive Resource Model CRM

The Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) is a therapeutic approach designed to address trauma and stress-related disorders. Developed by Lisa Schwarz, M.Ed., a licensed psychologist and marriage and family therapist, CRM integrates various therapeutic modalities such as somatic experiencing, attachment theory, ego state therapy, and mindfulness practices.

What is Comprehensive Resource Model?

CRM is all about helping people overcome tough times and feel stronger inside. It's like building up your own toolbox of good memories, support from others, and ways to handle tricky situations. Therapists use techniques like tapping or talking about feelings to help process bad memories and connect with the body's signals. Therapy with CRM goes through different stages, like getting steady, finding those good resources, and dealing with the tough stuff bit by bit. There's also a cool technique called the Informed Chair, where you chat with different parts of yourself to work out problems. Plus, mindfulness and staying grounded help you stay focused on the here and now. CRM isn't just for one type of problem - it works in lots of situations, from talking one-on-one with a therapist to group sessions. Therapists who use CRM learn special skills to help people heal from things like trauma or stress, and it's showing some promising results in research too.

Overall, CRM offers a comprehensive and integrative approach to trauma treatment, emphasizing the importance of building resources, fostering resilience, and promoting holistic healing.

What to expect…

You’ll find it's all about tailoring therapy to suit you.

First things first, we’ll have a cozy chat to unravel your story, poke around the pesky bits, and figure out what you're hoping to achieve in therapy.

Then comes the fun part - building up your inner strength and support system. We will help you dig into good memories, your strengths, and uncover the secret strategies you've mastered for tackling life's curveballs.

We’ll use techniques that are backed up by science but aren’t the traditional talk therapy, like tapping or eye movements to help you work through tricky feelings, and you'll explore how your body reacts to emotions. You might even have chats with different parts of yourself or important people in your life to help you understand and work through stuff. Throughout, you'll practice staying in the moment and keeping your cool with mindfulness exercises.

Therapy usually moves through different stages, like getting steady, finding those good resources, and dealing with tough stuff bit by bit, and I will guide you every step of the way.

Who does it benefit?


CRM is beneficial for a diverse range of individuals, including those grappling with trauma, whether it's a singular event or more complex experiences. It provides support for individuals navigating stress-related disorders like chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. Moreover, it helps individuals identify patterns of trauma within their family histories and activate internal and external resources to promote resilience. Additionally, it extends a helping hand to individuals facing relationship challenges, addressing attachment wounds, and fostering a sense of safety and connection. In essence, CRM offers a comprehensive and holistic pathway to healing, prioritizing the development of resources, resilience, and self-awareness on the journey to emotional well-being.

Key Components of CRM

  • Holistic Approach: CRM takes a holistic approach to healing, addressing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in the healing process. It integrates various therapeutic modalities, including somatic experiencing, bilateral stimulation, and mindfulness practices, to promote healing on multiple levels.

  • Resource-Oriented: A central focus of CRM is on building internal and external resources to support healing and resilience. This involves identifying and activating strengths, positive memories, supportive relationships, and coping skills to empower individuals in their healing journey.

  • Trauma-Informed: CRM is grounded in trauma theory and is specifically designed to address the effects of trauma on individuals' lives. It emphasizes understanding the impact of trauma on the nervous system and how it manifests in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

  • Customizable and Flexible: CRM is highly customizable and flexible to meet the unique needs and preferences of individuals. Therapists can tailor CRM interventions and techniques to suit the specific goals, challenges, and strengths of each client, allowing for a personalized and empowering therapeutic experience.

Frequently asked questions about Comprehensive Resource Model

  • While CRM shares similarities with modalities like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and somatic experiencing, it distinguishes itself through its integrative nature. CRM incorporates elements from various therapeutic models, including attachment theory, ego state therapy, and mindfulness practices, offering a comprehensive framework for healing. Additionally, CRM emphasizes the importance of building internal resources and promoting resilience, setting it apart from more traditional talk therapies.

  • People might choose Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM) therapy because it offers a well-rounded approach to healing that looks at both the roots of their struggles and how to move forward. With CRM, the focus is on building up their inner strengths and support networks, which can be a refreshing change for those tired of just talking about problems. Plus, there's evidence that CRM can really make a difference in reducing the tough symptoms of trauma and stress. Ultimately, choosing CRM is put the client in the driver's seat of their own healing journey.

  • Yes, CRM can indeed be used in intensive therapy sessions. In intensive therapy formats, which involve more frequent and extended sessions over a shorter period, CRM can be a valuable tool for addressing trauma, stress-related disorders, and other emotional challenges. The adaptable nature of CRM allows us to tailor sessions to the individual's needs while still providing comprehensive support.

Time to put yourself first.