Tools of the trade

The EMDR Approach to Psychotherapy is anchored by the Adaptive Information Processing Model. The Adaptive Information Processing Model is grounded on the theory that experiences, at their inception, are composed of sensory input, thoughts, emotions, and sensations. These experiences, along with all their associated components, become memories. These experiences shape our attitudes, behaviors and perceptions of self. When language is available, a core belief, which encapsulates all the components of that memory, becomes affixed to that memory. Once a memory is established, experiences of similar composition cluster to the initial memory, and over time memory networks develop. The Adaptive Information Processing Model suggests that as new experiences are added to the memory network, that memory network upgrades itself, adding more adaptive perspectives and discarding the now no longer useful information. With each upgrade, our attitudes, behaviors and perceptions of self are also upgraded in an adaptive manner.

The Adaptive Information Processing Model further suggests that when information is dysfunctionally stored, while additional experiences may cluster around the initial memory, that memory, and its growing memory network continues operating from its initial perspective. As such, emotions, sensations, attitudes, behaviors, do not have access to additional adaptive information. That memory network cannot be upgraded with new information. Therefore, that memory network continues to operate based upon its past learned core belief and perceptions. In this case, while the responses were adaptive at its inception, the responses now, are no longer functional. In some cases, the responses are now considered maladaptive or dysfunctional. Interventions are necessary to help link maladaptively stored memory network with more adaptive, current memory networks. In many cases, EMDR reprocessing is necessary to help facilitate the linkage and transmutation of the dysfunctionally stored memory network with existing, adaptive memory networks.

This workshop will assist participants in understanding the various tools available to them within the EMDR Approach and AIP perspective. These will include client presentations, targeting sequence plans and the consideration of additional tools to help facilitate case conceptualization and treatment.

Conference

English

Roy Kiessling

Kiessling, R. (2011, April). Tools of the trade. Plenary presented at the 7th Western Mass EMDRIA Regional Network Spring Conference, Amherst, MA