EMDR: Containment and closure

Containment involves a great deal more than pretty little exercises that help the client drive home safely. This workshop will focus on the importance of containment in EMDR and its role in helping clients with the affect regulation that is necessary for trauma reprocessing. Containment work in Phase 2 can help the client develop this necessary dual attention skill (proof of requisite affect regulation). We will also look at containment in EMDR’s Phase 7 (Closure). An AIP-informed rational for containment will be offered, with supporting research. By learning an array of strategies for containing negative affect, participants will increase their ability to both prepare clients for 11-step protocols and properly close incomplete. Experiential exercises will enable participants to practice at least one new method for use with clients.

Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will identify the importance of containment in EMDR and its implications with respect to dual attention and trauma reprocessing 2. Participants will identify some key strategies for completing Phase 2 (Preparation) with respect to building the affect regulation skill necessary for maintaining dual awareness during trauma reprocessing (Phases 3-7) 3. Participants will be able to define and describe the essentials of Phase 7 (Closure) of the EMDR protocol, in particular, the need to ensure containment of remaining negative affect in the case of incomplete protocols. 4. Participants will develop knowledge of several effective closure methods 5. Participants will acquire mastery of at least one new closure method through practicum experience

Conference

English

Barbara Horne

Horne, B. (2012, April). EMDR: Containment and closure. Presentation at the EMDR Canada Annual Conference, Montreal, QC