From Connection to Survival: A Topography of Our Survival System

Presenter: Mario C Salvador (ALECES, Spain)
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation (Virtual)
Title: From Connection to Survival, a topography of our survival system

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🔬 Presentation Highlights

∙ Theoretical Framework: A trauma-informed methodology grounded in Polyvagal Theory — exploring the shift from connection to survival.
∙ Core Concept: How psychological defenses are organized when social connection fails or becomes harmful.
∙ Topographical Model:

• Upper Level: Social masks and introjects — learned defenses that preserve attachment at the cost of authenticity.

• Middle Level: Archeopsychic defenses — extreme, phobic mechanisms that suppress vulnerability and foster mistrust.

• Lower Level: Exiled and wounded parts of the self, excluded from both internal and relational life.
  ∙ Therapeutic Relationship: Emphasizes the healing power of a safe, reliable therapeutic bond to regulate the nervous system.
  ∙ Compassionate Inner Observer: Integration of self-compassionate mindfulness as a transformative dimension of healing.
  ∙ Clinical Application: Guides therapists in honoring defensive structures while facilitating trauma processing.
  ∙ Outcome: Restoration of compassionate inner connection — activating the brain-body’s self-healing capacity.

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👨‍🏫 About the Speaker

Mario C Salvador is a psychologist and clinical psychology specialist with over 40 years of experience.

∙ Co-Director of ALECES – Institute of Integrative Trauma Psychotherapy (Spain).
∙ President of the Iberian Association of Brainspotting.
∙ Founder of the Ibero-American Association of Psychotrauma (AIBAPT).
∙ International trainer, lecturer, and trauma specialist.
∙ Author of five influential books:

• Beyond the Self: Healing Emotional Trauma and Brainspotting (2016, 2022)

• Who Am I? From Dissociation to Integration (2022)

• The Two Faces of Nina (2024)

• Our Internal Citadel (2025)

• Co-author of The Power of Brainspotting (2018)

His work bridges neuroscience, trauma therapy, attachment theory, and compassionate psychotherapy practices.

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Event: International Conference on Addiction Medicine, Mental Health and Psychiatry
📅 March 23–25, 2026
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