Do you struggle with how to apply Resourcing (Phase 2 of EMDR) with your complex trauma clients?
Using EMDR Therapy for clients with a history of complex trauma can feel overwhelming. You can tell your clients need more than just the basic Calm Place & Container, but you don’t know what else to do to help promote stabilization and readiness for reprocessing (phase 4).
These are my some of my most commonly used resourcing exercises - check them out and see which ones may work for some of your clients!
Resource Development and Installation
(Andrew Leeds) Helps with clients who struggle with affect tolerance. Watch my video demonstration on how to use this method here.
Ego State Interventions
Parts work!! So helpful in working with clients with complex trauma. Robin Shapiro’s book Easy Ego State Interventions helps to explain how to incorporate this with EMDR
Fraser’s Table
(also called the Conference Table or the Meeting Space) This is helpful for identifying different ego states and facilitating communication and co-consciousness among parts
CIPOS Method
(Jim Knipe) This stands for Constant Installation and Present Orientation to Safety. This is very helpful for clients who struggle with dissociation because it strengthens an individual’s ability to stay present
Resetting Affective Circuits
(Katie O’Shea and Sandra Paulssen) Helpful for clients who have difficulty accessing their emotions or tend to avoid their feelings
Installation of Positive Treatment Goal
(Popky) This is the first part of Popky’s DeTur Protocol and is helpful for all clients who need help with conceptualizing what successful treatment would look like, feel like, etc., therefore, increasing feelings of empowerment and motivation for treatment.
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About the Author
Dana Carretta-Stein is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founder of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling, PLLC, and Carretta Consulting in Scarsdale, NY.
She specializes in clinical psychotherapy to treat children, adolescents and adults with anxiety, behavior and trauma difficulties.
She is a certified EMDR therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant and loves helping EMDR Therapists feel more confident using EMDR Therapy with their clients.