EMDR Therapy and Mindfulness for Trauma-Focused Care

Jamie Marich, Ph.D., LPCC-S, LICDC-CS, REAT, RMT travels internationally teaching on EMDR therapy, trauma, addiction, expressive arts therapy and mindfulness while maintaining a private practice in Warren, OH.Stephen Dansiger, Psy.D., MFT played CBGB and Max’s Kansas City in the late 70’s; drank, played drums in a toy rock band and then got into recovery in the late 80’s; became an international social justice/diversity educator and rocker again in the 90’s; and is now a consultant, trainer, clinician, writer and meditation teacher. Dansiger has become a master EMDR therapist and provider of EMDR Training and Advanced Topics Courses with the Institute for Creative Mindfulness and is a pioneer in the Buddhist recovery field. He is the creator and founder of the MET(T)A Protocol (Mindfulness and EMDR Treatment Template for Agencies) which utilizes Buddhist psychology, mindfulness and EMDR therapy to create an agency's primary clinical practice system. Dansiger is the Head of Health & Wellness Innovation and Partnerships at DropLabs, a leading sound and vibration technology company. He is a Founding Member of the Society for Health Care Innovation, an outgrowth the Master of Health Care Innovation (MHCI) program at the University of Pennsylvania, where he is in the 3rd cohort.

• List of Meditation Practices and Experiential ExercisesForeword by Noah Levine, MAPrefaceJamie’s Journey: EMDR Therapy Offers a New SolutionStephen’s Journey: A Mindful RevelationAcknowledgments1. IntroductionShifting From Trauma-Informed to Trauma-FocusedWhat to Expect From the BookReferences2. Redefining the Paradigm for Trauma-Focused CareA New HopeEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing TherapyMindfulnessThe Fusion of Mindfulness and EMDR TherapyTying It All TogetherQuestions for Reflection and Personal PracticeReferences3. Developing Buddhist Mindfulness Practice for Trauma-Focused CareNo Correct Path to Mindfulness PracticeStarting a Mindfulness PracticeMindfulness of Breath/Sensory GroundingMindfulness of Feeling ToneMindfulness of MindMindfulness of Dharmas/Loving Kindness MeditationWalking MeditationBeginner’s Mind PracticeTying It All TogetherQuestions for Reflection and Personal PracticeResources for Further ExplorationReferences4. An Introduction to the Creative Mindfulness PracticesChoice and Possibility in Mindfulness PracticeYogic Breathing PracticesDiaphragmatic Breathing (Belly Breathing)Complete Breathing (Three-Part or Dirgha Breathing)Ujjayi Breathing (Ocean-Sounding Victory Breath)Lion BreathingAlternate Nostril Breathing (Nadhi Shodnan Pranayama)Clench and Release: A Modified Progressive Muscle Relaxation ExperienceTransforming Day-to-Day Activities Into MeditationEnergetic MassageNoodling: The Art of “Going With” Organic, Expressive MovementThe Expressive Arts as MeditationTying It All TogetherQuestions for Reflection and Personal PracticeResources for Further Exploration5. EMDR Phase 1, Client History—Setting the Tone for Trauma-Focused ServicesA Mindful Approach to HistoryThe Purpose of Phase 1: Definitions From Shapiro and the EMDR International AssociationHonor Possibilities in Phase 1: Gathering Client History in a Mindful WayBest Practices for Clinical InteractionSpecific Strategies for Phase 1, Client HistoryHow to Avoid Badgering a Client With NarrativeSample Case Using Worksheets for History TakingTying It All TogetherQuestions for Reflection and Personal PracticeReferences6. EMDR Phase 2, Preparation in Trauma-Focused CareMindfully Navigating the Preparation PhaseA Trauma-Focused Approach to PreparationThe Broader Context for Healing TraumaFilling Out the Missing PiecesResource Development and InstallationThe Relational Imperative in EMDR TherapyNecessary Skills for Preparation and the Art of Modifying ThemNo Such Thing as “One Size Fits All”Mindfulness and Grounding StrategiesBreathing StrategiesDemonstrating Hyperarousal and ReleaseMultisensory SoothingGuided VisualizationsLight Stream Multisensory Visualization ExerciseTree Grounding Visualization ExerciseModifications for CreativitySimple Container Visualization ExerciseMovement, Expressive Arts, and Identification of Other Recovery CapitalTying It All TogetherQuestions for Reflection and Personal PracticeResources for Further ExplorationReferences7. EMDR Phases 3 to 6: Principles of Mindful Decision MakingMoving on to Phases 3 to 6Clinical Decision-Making PointsAccess of Preparation SkillsPositive Material in the Client’s LifeNature of the Living SituationDrug/Alcohol Use and Psychotropic MedicationSecondary Gains and Related IssuesNumber of Sessions AvailableWillingness to Examine Past Issues and Potential Target AdjustmentsFacilitating a Client’s Journey Through Phases 3 to 6Mindfulness in Phases 3 to 6Phase 3: AssessmentPhase 4: DesensitizationPhase 5: InstallationPhase 6: Body ScanTying It All TogetherQuestions for Reflection and Personal PracticeReferences8. Special Situations in Phases 3 to 6: Mindful Facilitation Through Abreaction, Dissociation, and ResistancePotential Frustrations in EMDR Therapy Phases 3 to 6Maintaining the Calming PresenceQualities of a Good EMDR TherapistMindful Skills for the Journey Through Phases 3 to 6Handling Abreaction and DissociationInterweaves“I Don’t Want to Do EMDR Anymore”Tying It All TogetherQuestions for Reflection and Personal PracticeReferences9. EMDR Phases 7 and 8: Mindfully Approaching What We Often OverlookThe Mindful Practice of TransitionTransitions in EMDR TherapyTransition as Mindfulness Practice: An Exploratory ExercisePhase 7: ClosureLearning From MistakesRitual Release Breathing: A Simple Breath Practice for EMDR ClosureFlicking: A Simple Energy Practice for EMDR ClosureBest Practices for Mindful ClosureClosing and Debriefing a SessionImplementing a Safety Plan for In Between SessionsExtraordinary Circumstances in ClosurePhase 8: ReevaluationReevaluation and the Art of TransitionTracking TargetsThe Importance of Future TemplatesEMDR Therapy Case Conceptualization and Treatment-Plan ReviewTying It All TogetherQuestions for Reflection and Personal PracticeReferences10. Enhancing Your Efficacy as a Therapist: Developing Your Own Mindfulness Practice and Doing Your Own Trauma WorkInteresting TimesMindfulness and EMDR Therapy: Intimately ConnectedMindfulness: A Way of LifeFinding Your Teachers and Your CommunityA Call to Revolutionary ActionTying It All TogetherQuestions for Reflection and Personal PracticeReferencesAppendix: EMDR Clinical Worksheet TemplatesIndex

"The authors, Jamie Marich and Stephen Dansiger, bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in this book which is a thorough manual, exploring the complementarity of EMDR therapy and mindfulness practice in dealing with trauma work. I was struck by the great care and attention taken to meeting the clients in a thoughtful, flexible, creative and caring way."