Virtual EMDR: Safe, Simple and Straightforward Approaches to Adapting EMDR to Telehealth

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Handouts/Brochure

Speaker

Sarah Freeze, LCSW Related seminars and products

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Sarah Freeze, LCSW is a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker in private practice based out of Denver, CO. She is a certified EMDR therapist, and her practice includes psychotherapy, consultation, and teaching. She specializes in treating trauma/PTSD and utilizes EMDR, psychodynamic, relational, and Sandtray therapies. Her passion is working with adults who have experienced childhood abuse, neglect and emotional non-recognition, using a person-centered and culturally informed framework. Beyond her private practice, Sarah has clinical experience in community and agency settings, working with children and adults who have experienced sexual abuse, sexual assault, physical abuse, and domestic violence. With a strong background, she takes great care in applying clinical research into practice. Discover more at sarahfreezelcsw.com.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Sarah Freeze maintains a private practice. She is a consultant with Evergreen. Sarah Freeze receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Sarah Freeze American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work and EMDR International Association.

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Objectives

1. Compare remote intensive trauma-focused treatment models for PTSD and complex PTSD.
2. Examine the preliminary research on the effectiveness of remote EMDR therapy in treating PTSD and complex PTSD.
3. Evaluate the safety measures implemented in home-based telehealth for intensive treatment.
4. Identify key factors influencing the clinician and patient experience in delivering and receiving remote EMDR therapy.
5. Assess clients to determine the appropriateness of using EMDR in virtual sessions.
6. Analyze the 8 Phases of the EDMR protocol and determine how clinicians can integrate proper adaptations for use in a virtual environment.
7. Identify the barriers and risks associated with virtual EMDR.
8. Use strategies that can help foster the critical connection between client and therapist in online therapy.
9. Utilize applications and online resources for conducting bilateral stimulation remotely with clients.
10. Apply techniques to assist clients in de-escalating trauma associated triggers via telehealth.
11. Analyze how clinicians can account for cultural difference and physical environments to maximize the effectiveness of therapy via telehealth.
12. Administer assessments to individuals participating in internet-based EMDR to measure changes in symptoms and overall mental health.

Outline

The 8 Phases of EMDR and Essential EMDR Resources

• History
• Preparation
• Assessment
• Desensitization
• Installation
• Body scan
• Closure
• Re-evaluation
• Review of resources (calm place, container, ICON, etc.)

Assess the Appropriateness of Virtual EMDR for Clients

• Establishing safety
• Creating Resources
• Dual awareness options
• Informed consent

Common Barriers to Virtual EMDR Treatment

• Keeping a consistent environment
• Distractions
• Checking on physical responses
• Safety in the environment

Ways to Increase Attunement in Virtual EMDR Sessions

• Accounting for cultural differences and physical environments
• How to create close proximity with your camera
• Attuned breathing on virtual platforms

Eye Movement Resources for Telehealth Practitioners Using EMDR

• Bi-lateral stimulation and its importance in the EMDR process
• Dual attention methods (eye movements, tapping, tappers, sound)
• Bilateral stimulation via video
• Butterfly hug
• Congruent tapping
• Sound pulses
• Other eye movement strategies
• Apps and BLS online resources

Addressing Safety in Virtual EMDR:

• How to Manage the Potential Risks of Not Being There In-Person
• Establishing a visually safe environment
• Crisis intervention and safety plans
• Managing/assessing for relapse or maladaptive coping

EMDR for Direct Treatment of Traumatic Memories via Telehealth

• Attachment-based interventions in a disconnected world
• Interweaves for blocked processing
• Treating grief and loss
• Creating connection through parts work
• Working with isolation
• Creating empowerment and self-efficacy from a distance platform

Attachment-Based Trauma and Parts Work with Virtual EMDR

• How attachment styles impact processing
• Identifying the different roles that ‘parts’ play in traumatic healing and survival
• How to utilize and acknowledge ‘parts’ in EMDR processing
• Interventions and techniques to bring ‘parts’ forward for healing
• Techniques and tools for working with addicted ‘parts’ during EMDR

Limitations, Risks, and Further Research

• Current research on telehealth with EMDR
• Addressing barriers and potential risks with telehealth and EMDR
• Making the most of risks and limitations for successful treatment outcomes

Target Audience

• Counselors
• Social Workers
• Marriage & Family Therapists
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Addiction Counselors
• Therapists
• Psych Nurses
• Case Mangers
• Other Mental Health Professionals