OVERVIEW

Addressing Substance Use Disorders and Behavioral Addictions with EMDR Therapy is organized by Hope Payson, EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and will be held from Jan 10 - 17, 2025.

Description:
This live webinar (January 10, 11 & 17, 2025) will explore the use of EMDR in the treatment of substance use disorders and behavioral addictions – specifically with clients who are not yet abstinent or new to recovery – by discussing the unique treatment considerations that arise during each phase of the EMDR protocol when treating this population. Common risk factors and assessment issues, addiction specific resources and preparation work, how to address and desensitize triggers, urges, cravings, avoidance defenses and “positive feeling states”, and the use of the standard EMDR protocol in the treatment of addiction are all taught and highlighted with literature review, case example, demonstration, practicum, video clips, and discussion. No modification of phases 3-6 of the standard EMDR protocol are being proposed.

Goals and Objectives, participants will be able to:

Describe how trauma symptoms increase vulnerability to addiction.
Explain the basic findings of the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) Study.
Identify history taking questions that can be used to assess readiness for trauma processing.
Describe how to use motivational interviewing techniques in the history taking Phase of EMDR therapy.
Identify the common resourcing needs of persons with histories of complex trauma and addiction.
Identify at least 2 addiction specific stabilization options to use in Phase 2 of EMDR therapy.
Describe the steps involved in addressing and desensitizing cravings, urges and triggers related to substance/behavioral addictions.
Explain the term: maladaptive positive feeling state.
Identify how to address the maladaptive “positive” feelings, body sensations or irrational cognitions linked to addictions.
Describe when addressing underlying trauma using Standard Protocol EMDR would be appropriate.
Describe when the use of Addiction Protocols would be appropriate.
Identify treatment planning options, and common negative and positive cognitions.
Apply EMDR therapy to address common treatment barriers.