One suicide death exposes many people to a potentially traumatizing experience and increases their risk of dying by suicide and other mental health outcomes. Innovations in EMDR early intervention are research-validated for the reduction of a range of trauma symptoms. This presentation describes the use of early EMDR intervention for suicide loss survivors in groups and individually. Cases of longer-term treatment will be discussed as postvention. EMDR practitioners will learn best practices in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention so that practitioners can serve the unique needs of loss survivors with all that EMDR has to offer. Learning Objectives Participants will…
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Many EMDR therapists struggle when it comes to applying the Standard Protocol with some Complex Trauma cases. Some of the difficulties are related to deciding how to proceed with trauma work when cases do not seem stable enough. EMDR therapy is a flexible approach that allows for creativity in the therapeutic work. The work with traumatic memories may be implemented safely from the early stages of therapy, if we can identify possible indicators of readiness and blocks in each client. This workshop will illustrate specific micro-processing techniques that both increase client stabilization and allow working with traumatic memories safely. Three…
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How do we help children and teens make sense of the internal fragmentation of dissociation? This session will focus on using playful, creative, and somatic strategies to support a titrated approach to EMDR preparation and processing phases for these young people. Interventions that borrow play therapy modalities such as fantasy, puppets, sand tray, and expressive materials, can help us work with the “parts of self” and defensive adaptations within dissociation to move from the preparation to processing phases of EMDR in a developmental sensitive way, even applicable with some adult clients. An active and flexible approach to EMDR makes us…
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Addiction is a complex issue with both individual and systemic roots. When considering the use of EMDR therapy with individuals who struggle with compulsive behaviors or substance abuse the question most frequently asked is “Can I use EMDR therapy with this client?” The answer is not simple as it is grounded in a personalized case conceptualization process that carefully considers each client. And because these individuals may interface with various treatment settings—ranging from short-term inpatient, residential, outpatient, and environments linked to the legal system—the case conceptualization process also must include the limitations, realities or norms of each setting. The presentation…
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Discover the power of embodiment practices in this immersive workshop designed to enhance your therapeutic techniques and personal growth. Embodiment practices encompass a range of techniques that focus on the mind-body connection through self-awareness, mindfulness, and body-based approaches. Learn how to create synchronicity between the mind and body for healing, emotional wellness, and peace of mind. Dive deep into mind-body approaches, exploring the latest research and opportunities for integrating embodiment practices into EMDR therapy. We will examine the rich cultural heritage of these practices and explore specific techniques that support trauma healing. You will leave with a toolkit of techniques…
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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…
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Standard Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) protocols for the treatment of anxiety will be presented within the context of the Adaptive Information Processing model (AIP). The primary focus will be on the treatment of anxiety, general anxiety disorder, panic disorder and phobias, based on clinical research and practice. Lean how to integrate anxiety disorder treatments such as interoceptive exposure, psychoeducation, mindfulness, relaxation training, breathing retraining, cognitive techniques, adaptive information processing, and exposure and response prevention with this population. This treatment also integrates the use of future template and behavioral feedback for success in reducing anxiety symptoms. Case examples will…
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Recent studies demonstrate that psychedelic-assisted therapy can enhance trained ‘psychotherapists’ ability to heal and integrate trauma. Currently, ketamine is the only legal psychedelic medication in the United States. Find out about specific protocols integrating Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with ketamine-assisted therapy. Administering ketamine at mid-range sub-anesthetic doses to complement the eight phases of the EMDR protocol can amplify the efficacy of trauma treatment. While clinicians must undergo specialized training in both psychedelic-assisted therapy and EMDR before using this approach, this presentation provides an overview of this innovative trauma therapy method. It introduces attendees to the exciting synergistic potential…
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Two questions have driven my orientation to therapy: “How does our nature work, and how can we best work with that nature?” This has led me to find ways of working that align with the organic movement and integration of people’s mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual natures. This alignment gives therapists confidence to be in “not knowing” and fully engage emerging dynamics to truly “trust the process.” The observation that we all have a natural drive toward completion and resolution is foundational for effectively working with “process.” Activation into states of overwhelm can exceed ’clients’ resilience and compromise this natural…
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The challenges of ’today’s world are many, and understanding and addressing trauma is essential for building resilient individuals and communities. Complex presentations of trauma can cause challenges for EMDR therapists. Phase-oriented treatment serves as an excellent guide to structure the work with clients suffering from complex trauma-related disorders. Many trauma therapists struggle when it comes to applying the Standard Protocol, especially when deciding how to proceed with trauma work since some cases never seem stable enough. EMDR therapists may implement a progressive approach in working with traumatic memories may safely. This presentation will describe the key aspects that EMDR therapy…
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November 6 - November 14