I work with trauma complexity as it intersects with dissociation. The approaches needed to work with this population require titration methods to safely approach the traumas. Standard protocol is the goal, but cannot be used straight off the bat with these populations without extreme abreaction, usually scaring them away from the treatment.

I use a lot of work from Doloros Mosquera and Jim Knipe in working with a highly defensive system. This can look like phobias: phobias of the therapeutic relationships, phobias of memories, phobias of feeling certain emotions. EMDR is used in small chunks to "chip away" pieces to get to the trauma reprocessing in a safer, more effective manner.

​

 When bringing in art therapy, it allows for the brain to use non verbal communication and "representations of" instead of direct imagery. However, there are some very important things to know about before you start bringing art into the equation. I teach how to integrate art through the 8 Phases and 3 prongs of EMDR, according to the level of severity of CPTSD and dissociative levels. In addition it is extremely helpful for resourcing. 

​

The work is very non linear and there is a lot of clinical discernment that needs to be used! EMDR is creative! That's why I love it. It's just important to know how to integrate the creativity while maintaining the integrity of the approach. The very best way to learn this is through consultation. I still meet once a month with a group of consultants who work with DID, as well as run the DID support group so I can continue to learn from my clients. It's always the most beneficial when fresh eyes can look at a case. And I love doing it :)