On June 20th, our Tuesday Tea with Touchstone guest, Jasmine Adams, LCSW, PMH-C, discussed complex trauma and the eight phased Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) protocol. Here's a quick recap of Jasmine's insightful talk:

1. Understanding Complex Trauma It is crucial for practitioners to truly understand complex trauma in order to provide effective EMDR therapy. This involves understanding the effects of ongoing betrayal, neglect, and abuse, and how these experiences can lead to a variety of symptoms, such as dissociation and emotional dysregulation.

2. The Role of the Therapeutic Relationship A strong therapeutic relationship can provide a corrective experience, wherein clients feel heard, seen, and valued. It can also serve as a platform for clients to explore their trauma and begin the healing process.

3. The Importance of Safety and Stabilization The first two phases of the EMDR protocol, History Taking and Preparation, play a critical role in working with complex trauma. These phases focus on creating safety and stabilization, which are essential before moving on to the trauma processing phases.

4. Adapting EMDR to Client Needs EMDR needs to be adapted to the specific needs of individual with complex trauma. The pace of therapy and choice of targets need to be carefully tailored to each client.

5. Incorporating Anti-Oppression Principles Incorporating anti-oppression principles into EMDR therapy is of the utmost importance. This involves understanding and addressing the impacts of systemic and institutionalized oppression on clients' mental health and being mindful of power dynamics within the therapeutic relationship.

6. Peer Consultation and Continuing Education Jasmine emphasized the importance of peer consultation and continuing education. She offers a variety of consultation groups, including those specifically for BIPOC clinicians, an anti-oppression EMDR consultation group, and a general consultation group.

7. Support for BIPOC Clinicians Jasmine spoke to the support that BIPOC clinicians provide to their clients and to each other. As a BIPOC clinician herself, she understands the unique challenges faced by these communities and takes steps to create specific platforms for these individuals.

This session served as an invaluable resource for EMDR practitioners, offering insight into the application of the EMDR protocol for clients with complex trauma, promoting the importance of inclusivity, and encouraging ongoing education and peer consultation. For further queries or a deeper dive into these topics, Jasmine Adams encourages practitioners to reach out to her directly.

Are you an EMDR trained therapist looking for consultation as you integrate EMDR into your practice? Learn more about Jasmine's consultation services!

If you missed the live event, don't worry! You can still view the recording and slides:

Looking to continue the conversation and connect with other providers? Don't miss our next Tuesday Tea on July 18, 2023 with Jenna Cohen, LCSW, PMH-C!