When traumatization continues: The combined use of resource development and installation and EMDR standard protocol in the treatment of children

When children (or adults) in treatment continue to be traumatized, the general rule is to assure that they are safe from further traumatization, before applying the EMDR standard protocol to these experiences. Stopping traumatization is of course always a primary objective, but it is unfortunately not always possible to do so in a complete fashion. Resource Development and Installation (RDI) can be a viable protocol to use in this type of situation. RDI does however have its limitations, as it does not process trauma.

This paper investigates how the EMDR standard protocol can be adopted to situations of continued traumatization, balanced with the use of RDI. This will be illustrated by a case presentation of the treatment of an 11-year old bullied boy. Video tapes of some of the sessions will be shown. A complete session according to the standard protocol, ending up with SUD=0, VoC=7 can not be obtained with continued traumatisation. However, this presentation will illustrate how SUDs can be lowered in relation to specific situations and how there can be a shift in negative cognitions. The presentation will also show how processing can be alternated with RDI, to increase the client’s ability to cope with the ongoing stressful situation. The combination of RDI and standard protocol resulted in positive treatment outcomes.

Conference

English

Bjorn Aasen

Aasen, B. (2007, June). When traumatization continues: The combined use of resource development and installation and EMDR standard protocol in the treatment of children. Presentation at the 8th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Paris, France