Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment

SMART is a mental health therapy designed for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. It focuses on improving emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal regulation. SMART uses a range of therapy equipment, including weighted blankets, balance beams, fitness balls, and large cushions, in shared play to support children’s natural ways of regulating their bodies and emotions. By blending movement with relationship-building, SMART engages brain pathways to integrate behaviour, social-emotional functioning, and trauma experiences. The treatment widens a child’s window of tolerance for emotional states, fostering positive and negative connections. By body-based processing, healthy development can flourish.

What sets SMART apart?

• Non-Verbal Approach: SMART does not rely on language and awareness as an entry point. It helps children make better sense of their life stories and experiences through body-based activities and play.
• Child-Centered: The approach follows the child’s lead, using participatory play to develop new skills and process traumatic experiences.

How does SMART support caregivers and parents?

• Caregivers are directly involved in the treatment, which may include being involved in the SMART therapy and also separate consultation sessions.
• Caregivers are supported to better understand their child’s experiences and the impact on them.
• Increased Tolerance: Enhances caregivers’ windows of tolerance and self-regulatory capacity.
• Co-regulation Skills: Builds caregivers’ co-regulation skills and rhythms of relationship with their children from the bottom-up.
• Empathy Building: Increases empathy and understanding for caregiver challenges through SMART consultation videotape review.
• Practical Strategies: Provides strategies and regulation toolboxes easily integrated into daily routines at home, in the community, and in educational and residential care settings.

Evidence-Informed Approach

SMART is listed as a Promising Practice by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)for child trauma treatments.  Promising Practices refer to programs that include measurable results and report successful outcomes, however, there is not yet enough research evidence to prove that this program or process will be effective across a wide range of settings and people.

This is a beginning level course and a prerequisite for all future SMART courses and on-going consultation appropriate for Mental Health professionals, Social Workers, Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health Nurses, & Psychiatrists.