Given that war has been center stage in a very different way for the past 2 years, first in Ukraine and now in Israel and Gaza, those of us in the field of trauma who specialize in treating combat veterans and first responders need to include humanitarian aid workers and war correspondents as populations deserving of our focus and skills. Both groups are also vulnerable to Moral Injury as a natural consequence of their jobs. This session will begin with a review of relevant aspects of PTSD, Complex PTSD and Military Moral Injury and how they are distinctly different manifestations of experience; expand to include the risks, challenges and resilience factors pertinent to working as civilians in war zones; and demonstrate how to assess for, set up, and conduct a Moral Injury repair session with a humanitarian aid worker using EMDR therapy with specific cognitive interweaves.

As EMDR therapists, many of us understand the importance of the mind-body connection to our clients' ability to experience Adaptive Information Processing during reprocessing phases. However, we may have a more difficult time conceptualizing the importance of a mind, body AND Earth-or Eco-Somatic-approach to the holistic container of healing that includes not only the client but also the therapist, the therapy office, and even the surrounding natural environment. We often forget that the Earth/Nature is even an option to be included in the EMDR process. This training will provide therapists with information about an Eco-Somatic approach to EMDR, with focus on supporting the client's window of tolerance, dual awareness, and ability to maintain enough regulation to get through extended EMDR intensive sessions up to 5 hours in length. It is expected the participants have pre-existing knowledge around Polyvagal Theory and somatic therapy.

Addictions and compulsions are temporarily effective but problematic solutions in escaping the pain of traumatic memory. Most trauma clients will present for treatment with one or more addictive behaviors. EMDR will reprocess underlying trauma, which will reduce the need to self-medicate, but before that happens there are many points of intervention on the road to addiction treatment to shore up clients for EMDR reprocessing. This talk will demonstrate how many different types of resourcing interventions and the standard EMDR protocol can be used to address: motivation for change; stabilization including affect regulation; craving and triggers for use; reprocessing of relapse memories and root causes of addiction; addiction shame; engagement in broader support for sobriety; and identifying and strengthening adaptive coping mechanisms in place of addictive behaviors. Specific resourcing techniques will be identified and described, and case material will illustrate addiction interventions for all 8 EMDR phases and all three prongs.

Approximately 80% of individuals who contracted the COVID-19 virus experience “long-haul” symptoms. The Central Nervous System (CNS) and Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) appear to play a significant role in the development and maintenance of Long-COVID symptoms. Long-COVID symptoms that can be connected to the CNS include fatigue, brain fog, headache, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, dizziness, and dysautonomia. Long-COVID symptoms that can be connected to the PNS include muscle weakness, myalgias (muscle aches and pains), hyposmia (loss of smell), hypogeusia (lack of taste), hearing loss/tinnitus, and sensorimotor deficits. A qualitative literature review, as well as quantitative case study questionnaires, provide evidence that the COVID-19 virus resembles a physiological trauma. Therefore, it is proposed that Long-COVID symptoms represent physiological Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Quantitative case study questionnaires and qualitative observations demonstrate that Long-COVID nervous system related symptoms can be effectively treated with EMDR therapy.

Presentation 1: Online EMDR for Suicidal Ideation: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Presentation 2: Knowledge of EMDR and Child Sexual Abuse: Results of a Scoping Review
Presentation 3: Perspectives of the Effectiveness of EMDR in Telehealth for PTSD Patients
Presentation 4: Brief Group EMDR Safety Platform Therapy: Outcome Follow-up to Perpetrator

This presentation will explore the 8 phases of the EMDR Standard Protocol to help couples/clients feel empowered and capable of learning how not only to address trauma-related issues, but how to take care of their emotional needs outside of the therapeutic environment. By incorporating EMDR into working with couples, clients are able to develop adaptive responses to their triggers and learn that they don’t have to be “stuck in the pain” forever. Clinicians will learn how to access resourcing skills to improve their clients’ emotional needs. In this presentation, we will explore how EMDR helps clients feel empowered, as well as how to support clinicians in how to treat couple-related issues in a trauma-informed approach.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is gaining recognition as a potent treatment option supported by multiple FDA-approved research studies, ongoing federal research expansion efforts, state legalization efforts, and the availability of ketamine-assisted therapy in most of the US and Canada. There's a notable intersection between clients who may benefit from both EMDR and psychedelic-assisted therapies. Utilizing the psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy (HRIT) framework, EMDR therapists may begin to integrate a client's aspirations for independent psychedelic therapy within the standard 8-phase protocol and broader treatment strategy. As clients are increasingly seeking out psychedelic-assisted therapies, empowering EMDR therapists with the knowledge and skills for a psychedelic HRIT treatment approach can break down barriers, minimize risk, enhance inclusivity, and cater to the diverse needs of clients. The presentation includes important ethical and clinical considerations for integrating the standard 8 phase, 3 pronged EMDR protocol with a psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy approach.

This session introduces 'Hip Hop Harmony,' an innovative approach that integrates EMDR with Hip Hop Therapy techniques. The presentation will explore how the multifaceted elements of Hip Hop, including its rhythms and lyrics, can enhance EMDR therapy for clients facing issues like incarceration, community violence, and historical trauma. This introduction aims to illuminate the potential of Hip Hop Therapy in bolstering emotional processing and resilience. Attendees will gain insights into the foundational principles of Hip Hop Therapy, its cultural significance, and thoughtful integration into EMDR. The session emphasizes cultural sensitivity and inclusivity, showcasing how this unique combination can open new pathways in trauma treatment and provide a culturally attuned healing experience.

Most brain injuries (82.5%) are classified as mild, 8% moderate, 1% severe. Supposed military experts and civilian providers have misconceptions about TBI diagnosis, outcomes, recovery, and management of symptoms. Neuroimaging can detect changes in white matter impacting neural pathways responsible for changes in behaviors and cognitive functioning. White matter damage affects brain function and neural network connectivity to other regions of the brain; information can get lost as signals to the other hemisphere are disrupted. Memory, decision making, impulse control, motor functions, learning, pain, and moods are all affected by TBIs. Recovery and deficits are related to the duration of loss of consciousness, the location and number of the injuries, and white matter abnormalities. Grey matter is where processing is concluded. It makes up 40% of our brain, consumes 94% of our oxygen, and is responsible for the 5 senses, muscle control, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, hunger, thirst, etc.