Temporal Integration (TI), developed by Dr Sandra Paulsen, is a gentle, neuroscience‑informed approach designed to support the processing of very early trauma, including experiences that occurred before language and memory were fully formed.
Early trauma is often held in the nervous system as sensations, emotional states, and implicit memory, rather than clear stories or images. Because of this, traditional talking therapies may not always reach these early experiences.
TI works by helping the brain and body recognise that the past is over and the present is safe. Using bilateral stimulation and carefully paced therapeutic support, the nervous system is supported to update old survival responses and integrate unresolved experiences.
This approach is particularly helpful for attachment trauma, developmental trauma, and early relational wounds, and can be used safely alongside EMDR, EFT, and psychodynamic therapy.
FAQs
What is Temporal Integration?
Temporal Integration is a therapy approach that helps the nervous system process early trauma that may not be held as clear memories but instead the felt sense of your experience. It focuses on very small time frames starting at pre conception / conception and processing material from there up until approximately 5 years old.
What kind of trauma is it used for?
TI is used for very early trauma, including:
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attachment wounds
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early neglect or emotional absence
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medical or hospital trauma in infancy
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developmental trauma
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pre‑verbal experiences
Do I need to remember my early experiences?
No. Temporal Integration does not require detailed memory or storytelling. It works with how your body and nervous system hold experiences now, rather than needing conscious recall.
Is it similar to EMDR?
Yes — it uses similar neuroscience principles and bilateral stimulation, but is specifically adapted for very early and developmental trauma where there may be little or no conscious memory.
Is it overwhelming?
Temporal Integration is designed to be slow, contained, and regulating. It is important that you feel safe enough to do this work, so if you are new to my practice, it is likely that early sessions will be spent resourcing and creating a safe therapeutic space for you to work in. The time periods that we focus on are very small which keeps the work slow and at a pace that your nervous system can manage.There is a lot of imaginal repair work with TI which helps to pendulate between the difficult material and a resourced state.
What might change with this work?
People often notice:
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reduced anxiety and hypervigilance
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increased emotional stability
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improved sense of safety
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greater bodily calm
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stronger sense of self‑connection
Can it be combined with other therapies?
Yes. Temporal Integration is often used alongside EMDR, EFT, and psychodynamic therapy as part of a trauma‑informed, integrative approach. However, once we start the TI work, we usually work steadily through until we come to the 5 year old period, at which point we would usually expect to start to see some clearer memories coming through to work on using a different approach.
If you would like to learn more about this approach, please do not hesitate to contact me.
