About the Session
There is an increasing awareness of the critical need to understand culture and societal context within trauma intervention. Therapists are challenged to develop new skills that enhance and refine EMDR case conceptualization and treatment approaches. This presentation offers an array of conceptual and practical considerations so therapists can lean into this work with greater confidence. While maintaining curiosity and humility, EMDR therapists can help guide powerful clinical experiences. The term culturally based trauma and adversity (CBTA) is introduced to distinguish nuances of trauma in which social, cultural, or societal circumstances are a primary or secondary contributor to a client’s presenting issues. Sharper recognition of CBTA can better affirm client experiences and improve treatment outcomes. There are many indications that the EMDR community is embracing the overdue need to address CBTA and accentuate culturally based resources, and every EMDR clinician can contribute to these advancements.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will be able to describe 3 or more reasons why it is important to recognize, define and treat the effects of culturally based trauma and adversity (CBTA).
- Participants will be able to describe specific types/themes of culturally based trauma and adversity (CBTA).
- Participants will be able to describe specific ways to integrated cultural and societal experiences in case conceptualization within EMDR therapy.
