Dr Sandra Paulsen's

N.E.S.T. Training Series


This training series, developed by Dr. Sandra Paulsen, teaches how you can integrate neuroaffective, ego state and somatic therapies, and temporal integration approaches to heal early and complex trauma and dissociation. Divided into 4 units and 9 modules, she presents a structured plan for clinicians to follow depending on their client's needs.


When should I use Somatic therapy? Or Ego-State therapy?
How do I apply these therapies to early trauma? To complex trauma?


By the end of this training series, you will be able to answer these questions and more!


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Course List

Unit 1: Intake

Modules 1 & 2 (taken together as one course)

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Mod 1 & 2: Intake, Formulation and Plan

This course shows how to conduct a structured intake where appropriate, gathering information across numerous domains. This is the basis for case formulation and treatment planning, and how much preparation is needed.

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Unit 2: Preparation with N.E.S.T.

Modules 3-5

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Mod 3: N is for Neuroaffective

In this Phase II workshop, we will examine how devices and interventions that work on a neuroaffective basis enhance preparation for EMDR, which is itself neuroaffective and interruptive.

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Mod 4: E is for Embodiment

In this workshop, the basic techniques that EMDR therapists need to know about somatic therapy are emphasized, in contrast to somatic trainings where the method stands alone.

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Mod 5: S is for Self-System

In this classic ego state workshop, updated with more sample scripts, the emphasis is on the critical ego state interventions that enable efficient Phase II and, later, Phase IV to resolve traumatic sequelae.

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Unit 3: EMDR with DID

Module 6

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Mod 6: Looking Through the Eyes of Trauma and Dissociation Revisited

Continuing on the springboard of the Ego-State section of Mod 5: "S for Self System...", this module discusses why and how one fractionates an abreactive process for highly structurally dissociative clients.

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Unit 4: EMDR with Very Early Trauma

Modules 7-9

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Mod 7: When There Are No Words: Temporal Integration

This module is a review of the basics of how to conduct the Early Trauma protocol in a step-wise procedural way, it lays the foundation for the fancy foot work presented in the subsequent modules 8 and 9.

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Mod 8: How the Untold Unheard Story Tells Itself

This is an advanced Temporal Integration module, revealing the mysteries of the client’s unheard untold story as it reveals itself in the non-verbals, and the verbal statements in the therapy office.

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Mod 9: Hearing the Untold Unheard Story to Dismantle the Symptom Shrine

In this workshop, specific developmental milestones will be discussed as they relate to symptoms that the client carries as well as how to help the client ultimately dismantle their symptom shrine.

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NEST FAQs

Module 1: Structures Interview is for you!

We must discern if they are affectively dysregulated, or are they structurally highly dissociative even DID, or are they somatically dissociative or alexithymic? 

Each of those requires a different path.

  • We can start with Module 3 on Neuroaffective Strategies, and both devices and tactics are available, to work directly on the brain and provide structure and containment for destabilized clients.

  • Those who are somatically disconnected/dissociated or alexithymic will need Module 4 on Somatic Therapy to get their wires hooked up.

  • Those who are structurally dissociative or DID will need Module 5 on Ego State Therapy work to access the relevant parts of the self system, orient parts to present circumstances, mediate internal conflicts, and shift loyalty from aggressor to self.  

Once you have stabilized the DID client and reduced internal conflict and risk, you can enlist the system in planning EMDR

The work can be fractionated in a number of ways 

ARCHITECTS is an acronym to guide this work. 

Module 6 is for you, but do Module 5 first for sure! 

Unit 4 is for you - which contains Modules 7-9! 

Module 7 describes the basic procedures where we target and repair trauma and neglect from the preverbal attachment period by targeting time frames instead of a picture memory and narrative. 

Module 8 instructs how to hear “Baby’s Untold Story,” as it is revealed in themes and reenactments as well as client affect and soma, therapist mirror neurons and intuition, and more. 

Module 9 reveals basics of very early developmental milestones as they SHOULD have been met, so we can discern for each time period what was thwarted, and repair them in imagination, in the felt sense. 

To deal with everyone that walks in your door with a complex trauma history, you need to be able to identify what kind and have the skills to address those issues. 

Taking this course, you can master: 

• Case Formulation and Treatment Planning

• Affect Regulation Strategies

• Somatic Therapy tactics

• Ego State Therapy Maneuvers 

• Working with Early Trauma and Neglect in the Attachment Period, from Basics through Advanced Discernments and Development Milestones to be Alert to and Repair

You’ll be able to do A LOT! 

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NEST Bundles

Full Series Bundle
All 8 Courses | Mod 1-9 $528
Half Series, Part 1 Bundle
4 Courses | Mod 1-5 $264
Half Series, Part 2 Bundle
4 Courses | Mod 6-9 $264
Unit 2 Bundle
3 Courses | Mod 2-4 $222
Unit 4 Bundle
3 Courses | Mod 2-4 $222
Ego-State Therapy Bundle
2 Courses | Mod 5 & 6 $165