Using EMDR Therapy in the Comprehensive Treatment of Addictions – Mountain Time – Julie Miller

Course Description

Addiction is widespread in the Western world, with the United States and Canada experiencing the highest in the Western Hemisphere. EMDR therapy can improve outcomes for clients with addictions. In this advanced specialty application workshop, participants will learn how to confidently support clients with addictions and make a meaningful impact on their recovery journey. They will learn to conceptualize addiction at a practical level and develop a comprehensive roadmap with the client through the Adaptive Information processing model (AIP). They will learn to integrate EMDR therapy with other treatment modalities to address addictions and co-occurring difficulties of all kinds. Participants will utilize EMDR protocols and appropriate stabilization to avoid relapse. They will prioritize treatment protocols based on presenting traumas and mental health issues. They will learn to tailor treatment to each client’s needs using specialized resourcing exercises demonstrated during training via interactive breakout groups.

Learning Objectives

Day 1

• Describe the etiology of chemical and process addictions from the AIP perspective
• List 2 research studies exhibiting the effectiveness of EMDR therapy with addictions
• Describe the steps to develop a treatment plan from the AIP perspective for addiction clients using Phase 1 of the EMDR 8-phase protocol
• Identify 3 challenges specific to addiction treatment
• Identify 3 unique resource options to help prepare addiction clients for use with EMDR therapy
• Describe how to treat comorbidities/dual diagnoses with EMDR therapy
• Describe the use of ego state therapy for attachment wounds/relationship struggles as triggers for relapse

Day 2

• Describe addiction from an avoidance model
• Describe how to identify resources and triggers from this model
• Describe addiction from the positive feeling state model
• Describe how to identify positive feeling states and underlying unprocessed adverse experiences
• Describe addiction from a dysfunctional memory network model
• Describe how to identify dysfunctionally stored addiction memories from this model
• Describe the use of attachment work to treat addiction clients
• Describe the use of EMDR group protocols with addiction clients
• Identify the steps to determine when to use a specific protocol

Topics Covered

• Defining addiction: Is it a disease? A symptom of complex trauma? An attachment disorder? A disorder of memory?
• Research on the use of EMDR therapy with addiction and co-occurring disorders
• Resources/preparation exercises specifically designed to address challenges in treating addiction
• Using addiction-focused EMDR protocols in an individual setting
•  Using group protocols for addiction  When to use specific protocols

The Agenda:

Day 1

8:00 – 8:30 AM: Registration

8:30 – 10:00 AM: Defining addiction – Does it matter?

• Research on the use of EMDR therapy with addictions
• Treatment as usual and adding EMDR therapy
• Case Conceptualization and treatment planning with the AIP model
• Video demonstration of treatment planning from AIP/Addiction perspective

10:00 – 10:15 AM: Break

10:15 – 12:00 PM: Challenges specific to addiction population

• Unique resource options to help prepare addiction clients for EMDR therapy
• Video demonstration of “Future Healthy Sober Self”
• Treating comorbidities/dual diagnosis with EMDR therapy: Depression; Anxiety; PTSD
• Relationship difficulties (attachment)
• Self-worth

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:45 PM: Group EMDR for addiction (resourcing)

• Group EMDR for reprocessing (GTEP IGTP etc.)
• Ego state/memory network resourcing and processing therapy for addiction/attachment issues
• Video demonstration: parts/ego state work for addiction
• Positive feeling states & strategies for meeting assured survival needs

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM: Break
3:00 PM – 4:45 PM:

• Breakout groups:
• Treatment planning exercise with vignette
• Discuss which resourcing options might be necessary for vignette client
• Practice unique resource options (minimum of 2 per participant in triad)

4:45 PM – 5:00 PM: Q&A

Day 2

8:00 – 8:30 AM: Zoom room available

8:30 – 10:00 AM: The Feeling State Addiction Protocol

10:00 – 10:15 AM: Break

10:15 – 12:00 PM: The Feeling State Addiction Protocol & video demonstration

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:45 PM:

• CravEX Protocol & video demonstration
• DeTUR Protocol & video demonstration

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM: Break

3:00 PM -4:00 PM: Break out groups:

• Practice identification of positive feeling states and underlying unprocessed adverse experiences
• Practice resourcing section of DeTUR Protocol
• Practice group resourcing

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: When do I use which protocol?

• Q & A

Requirements

Completion of an EMDRIA Approved Basic Training. If you did not receive your EMDR Basic Training from the EMDR Institute, you will be asked to provide proof of completion (certificate of completion) of an EMDRIA Approved Basic Training.