Full Course Description

The Power of Attunement: Introduction to Relational EMDR

Program Information

Outline

The Formulation of EMDR – Initial Focus on Trauma

PTSD diagnosis – 1980, EMD developed – 1989
Changing paradigms of long term treatment
Subsequent generalization beyond specific trauma treatment
Memory networks and early developmental influences

Adaptive Information Processing Model

Maladaptive storing of negative experiences – related areas of confusion
- Misattribution of responsibility
- Absent sense of safety
- Confusion related to power and control

Effect of Triggers Beneath Cognitive Levels of Processing – Limitations of Understanding and Coping

Transformative nature of EMDR on automatic responses
Mapping of emotional landscape – unpredictability of connections

Basic Elements of Developing EMDR Interventions

Review of trauma history, identifying related behaviors, clarifying connections
Identifying images, rating disturbance levels, defining positive outcome
Desensitization of memories and related sensations
Assess outcome, address remaining triggers

Relational EMDR

Integrating current interpersonal experience with effects of prior trauma
Restorative experience of emotions in the therapeutic interaction – corrective reprocessing
Use of therapeutic self beyond technical interventions – engaging client strengths

Overview of Four Upcoming Case Presentations – Process of Attunement, Individualizing Protocols

Objectives

Determine which symptoms are particularly responsive to improvement through EMDR interventions.
Develop and implement basic EMDR interventions for intrusive memories of past experiences.
Articulate methods of integrating Relational EMDR with traditional EMDR approaches to ameliorate the impact of pervasive attachment disruptions.

Copyright : 21/04/2018

Relational EMDR Approach to Working with Shame, Overwhelm and Clinical Impasse

Program Information

Outline

Mary Clinical Video Demonstration – Relational EMDR

Client in treatment for three years, has made progress but struggles with full engagement in treatment and reaching personal goals

Identifying and Addressing Treatment Impasse – Aligning with Client Goals

Assessment of client inner experience – true sense of self absent
Approaching relationship with therapist flexibility
Attunement to verbal and nonverbal interaction

The Work Before the Work

Assessing client capacity for work and willingness to change
Bringing therapist experience into shared relationship

Following the Connection and Finding the Memory

The experiential elements of the EMDR approach
Diverging from standard EMDR protocols

Making an Explicit Contract to Target Vulnerable Content

Setting benchmarks and goals
Following spontaneous linkages

Formal Processing – Emotional Shifts and Integration

Resolution from maladaptive to reality based self-perceptions
Combining EMDR, relational and imagery techniques

Objectives

Utilize clinical demonstration to inform relational EMDR case conceptualization for therapeutic impasse
Determine the impact of personal history on barriers to treatment
Implement experiential interventions to improve clinical outcome

Copyright : 11/05/2018

Using Relational EMDR to Address Anger, Trauma, and a Violent History

Program Information

Outline

Carlos Clinical Video Demonstration – Creating Connections Client in Treatment for Fears of Losing Control Client with History of Violence as Victim and Perpetrator

Now working to adapt – protect a more stable lifestyle and relationship with son
Facing aggressive triggers at work – seeking more effective coping abilities

Identifying and Addressing Treatment Impasse – Challenges of Rage

Assessment of client inner experience – making a safe connection, frequent checks
Approaching relationship with therapist attunement, normalizing affect
Particular attunement to nonverbal interaction

Threat or Safety Messages Are Often Nonverbally Communicated The Work Before the Work

Assessing client capacity for work and willingness to change
- Identifying regret and remorse as elements of change
- Reframing desire for control from control of others to control of self
- Accurately perceiving client’s current abilities and motivations
Utilizing EMDR technology to improve therapist engagement
Addressing safety while processing powerful emotional content

Following the Connection and Finding the Memory

Identifying nodal memory – rape of cousin
Creating a contract to travel together into difficult content
Asking permission, checking client status, giving control

Formal Processing – Identifying and Clarifying Current Emotional Experience

Modifying standard protocols to enhance cognitive engagement
Attending to and releasing sadness
Following unexpected connections – utility of repeated checking for permission

Assessing Progress and Outcome – Checking the Work

Replacing maladaptive conclusions about self with adaptive conclusions
Replacing childhood perceptions of trauma with adult processing

Objectives

Utilize clinical demonstration to inform case conceptualization for client raised in high threat environment
Determine the impact of vulnerability and rage on barriers to treatment
Modify standard EMDR treatment protocols to improve client engagement

Copyright : 12/05/2018

Relational EMDR for Working with Shock Trauma, Depression, and Suicide Ideation

Program Information

Outline

Gloria Clinical Video Demonstration – Creating Supportive

Holding Environment

Client in Treatment for Repeated Severe Losses

Client with History of Losing Two Children to Suicide, Depressed and Suicidal Herself

History of childhood trauma and abuse, several hospitalizations for depression

Now Working to Find a Purpose to Live

Concern that image of daughter hanging may be an overwhelming memory/image

Identifying and Addressing Treatment Impasse – Challenges of Containment and Trust

Assessment of client inner experience – making a safe connection, frequent checks
Approaching relationship with decreased verbalizations, increased physical contact

The Work Before the Work

Assessing client capacity for work and willingness to change
- Expanding perspective beyond personal for the work – family related goals
  - Taking control of process - breaking the generational cycle
  - Importance of therapist transparency and authenticity
- Establishing a contract for the work

Formal Processing – Desensitization Intervention

Identifying initial reaction to traumatic event – failure to process
Easing client into the unprocessed moment
Engaging body as well as mind into the processing
Ongoing assessment of client tolerance – methods of providing increased support
Facilitating painful processing – utility of reassurance and repeated checking for permission
Managing and processing physical symptoms – making the implicit explicit

Carrying It Forward

Finding Meaning in The Experience – Reframing the Pain

Integrating the Experience – Understanding the Emotions, Finding Identity

Developing A Vision for The Future

Assessing Progress and Outcome – Checking the Work

Replacing childhood perceptions of trauma with adult processing

Objectives

Utilize clinical demonstration to develop intervention strategies for client facing multiple losses and treatment resistant depression
Articulate methods for identifying purpose for client who has lost a sense of meaning
Modify standard EMDR treatment protocols to integrate touch and physical contact into therapy

Copyright : 16/05/2018

Using Relational EMDR to Overcome Traumatic Stress

Program Information

Outline

Amy Clinical Video Demonstration – Turning Focus from Client to Therapist

Modifying approach to meet each client

Therapist Addressing Triggered Responses from Client in Treatment

Therapist in ongoing supervision – becoming stuck in the process
Triggers disrupting implementation of standard EMDR protocols
Symptoms of hypervigilance, uncertainty, past focus

Now working to identify personal blocks to the process

Concern that focus on client may be overlooking actual impediments to the work
Identifying historical antecedents to present circumstances
Importance of therapist being willing to undergo the same therapeutic experience as that being asked of the client.

Identifying and Addressing Treatment Impasse – Losing Focus and Efficacy

Client an over controlled, over functioning, repetitive individual
Allowing client increased responsibility and direction of the therapeutic process
Skipping steps in establishing collaboration

The Work Before the Work – Therapist Amy, “I Forgot Everything I Know”

Therapist as colleague and client – developing shared understanding for treatment
Assessing her capacity for work and willingness to change
Following the connection – Therapist experiencing past-present collision
Finding the memory – Intrusive influence of personal history
Establishing a contract for the work – alliance and permission
Identifying adaptive conclusion – defining successful outcome

Formal Processing – Clarifying Elements of Personal Trauma History

Identifying initial reaction to traumatic event – “I’m in this alone”
Clarifying encoding at the time of the event
Utility of technological EMDR supports
Managing and processing hopelessness and panic – moving to adult perspective
Employing cognitive interweaving intervention

Assessing Progress and Outcome – Checking the Work

Assessing congruence of belief and physical experience of memory
Addressing remaining cognitive dissonance to solidify therapeutic resolution
Identifying impact of responses on client work
Establishing a plan and goals for successful responses going forward

Second Generation EMDR – Application Beyond Symptom Relief

Review of Case Examples Presented – Trusting the Process

Objectives

Utilize clinical demonstration to develop intervention strategies for therapist triggered and disrupted by client content.
Integrate therapist responses effectively into clinical treatment interventions
Articulate methods to apply EMDR treatment interventions to therapists as well as clients

Copyright : 25/05/2018

BONUS: The Many Faces of EMDR: Harnessing a Broad-Based Approach to Change

Program Information

Outline

Trauma Often Occurs in Childhood

Personal Experiences

Developmental Trauma

Capacities to Resolve Trauma are Overwhelmed

Dissociative Processes

Complex trauma

Affect Dysregulation

Self Esteem

Difficulty in Relationships

Conclusions about the Self

Shifting the Way a Memory is Stored

Images of A Parent’s Denial of Trauma Stored in Brain

Inadequately Processed

Easily Triggered

Lack of Connection Between Information and Feelings

Emotional Hijack

EMDR As Integrative Therapy

Clinical Research

Present is Informed by the Past

State Specific Emotions

Adaptive Information Processing System in Brain

Orienting Response

REM Activity

Brain Processes in Present Time while Reflecting on Negative Experience

Use of Dual Awareness Increases Capacity to Feel More Stable

Creating Appropriate Responses and Exploring Personal Capacities

Focus of Present Experiences and Changing These

Objectives

Determine the implications of nodal experiences as they relate to shaping clients’ current symptoms.
Analyze clinical strategies to identify predominant themes in clients’ lives that underlie their current symptomology.
Integrate the adaptive information-processing model of EMDR with other therapeutic interventions used within a clinical setting.

BONUS: Mastering the Craft of Treating Trauma: Four Core Skills

Program Information

Objectives

Manage the clinical demands of working with developmental trauma using the core clinical skills.
Develop the clinical implications of trauma as they manifest in the consulting room and in the client’s life.
Analyze the history of client’s significant attachments as it relates to case conceptualization.
Analyze the efficacy of the four core clinician skills in relation to assessment and treatment planning.

Outline

Working Definition of Trauma
- Trauma Memory
- Triggers
Identifying and working with the by-products of trauma as they manifest in the consulting room and the client’s life.
Evaluate client readiness and motivation for desired change
Evaluate client skills necessary for effective trauma treatment
Explore history of significant attachments
Navigate the unique clinical demands of working with developmental trauma
- Core Clinical Skills

BONUS: Advances in Trauma Treatment Today Expert Panel

This Forum will offer fresh perspectives on how our basic understanding of trauma has developed since PTSD first became accepted as official diagnosis 30 years ago. Each presenter offers a 20-minute presentation in the compelling TED Talk style followed by the opportunity for further exchange and exploration with the audience.

What Really Works in Trauma Therapy: Searching for Commonalities among the Acronym Therapies:Donald Meichenbaum, PhD
Whatever Happened to Family Therapy?: Recovering Our Systemic View of Trauma: Mary Jo Barrett, MSW
Treating Multiply Traumatized Youth: An Evidence-Based Approach to an Overlooked Treatment Population:John Briere, PhD
Addictions and Trauma:Addictions as both the Problem . . . and the Solution:Janina Fisher, PhD

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze the clinical implications of complex trauma in youth.
Articulate strategies for clients struggling with addictions to improve treatment outcomes.

Outline

Introduction to trauma panel and "flash forum" structure
Expert 20-minute panelist presentations
Audience pairing up and discussing of panel topics
Panelist answering of audience questions