EMDR and addiction: the Dutch EMDR and addiction protocol

Addiction is difficult to treat. An individual case conceptualization (CC) often contains multiple factors that explain in their connection the maintenance of the maladaptive behavior. Factors that can be targeted by EMDR are - among others - a) the ongoing influence of aversive childhood experiences (ACE’s), b) extreme positive memories of drug use c) positive image’s of future use (positive flashforwards), d) disempowering memories of relapse e) negative representations of a sober life, etcetera. The Dutch EMDR and Addiction Protocol (Hornsveld & Markus, 2014) consists of a series of EMDR interventions, designed to tackle these issues. The protocol is now being tested in a large Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) at IrisZorg, the Netherlands*. In the present workshop the authors will share their experiences with the protocol in clients with different kind of dependencies. Video-segments of therapy sessions will demonstrate possibilities and pitfalls. Participants will practice some interventions in role-playing exercises.

Conference

English

Wiebren Markus
Hellen Hornsveld

Markus, W., & Hornsveld, H. (2016, June). EMDR and addiction: the Dutch EMDR and addiction protocol. Presentation at the at the 17th EMDR Europe Association Conference, The Hague