Grief and EMDR

Grief is a universal experience, yet clinicians often receive little training in addressing it. In this seminar, Krista Helman introduces the framework behind the EMDR-GRIEF protocol, a holistic approach integrating EMDR to address grief-related trauma, attachment injuries, past and ongoing losses, and After-Death Communication (ADC). This presentation explores the roots of grief and how EMDR can support meaning-making and healing within the grieving process. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of the protocol and its application in clinical practice. The EMDR-GRIEF protocol adapts the eight-phase EMDR model to address the complexities of mourning and grief, emphasizing the reconstruction of the assumptive world. Rooted in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, this protocol emphasizes how positive memories serve as the bridge to grief integration. By addressing the pain of grief and other blocks to accessing adaptive information, EMDR-GRIEF helps remap the internal representation of the loss in space, time, and attachment, fostering a renewed sense of connection and orientation. A defining feature of EMDR-GRIEF is its integration of potential After-Death Communication (ADC) within the ENRICHMENT phase, normalizing and embracing this natural human experience. Research shows that ADC cultivates a continued bond with the deceased and supports grief recovery. This scientifically and therapeutically significant component enhances the protocol’s ability to address the existential and relational dimensions of loss, offering a comprehensive approach to grief integration.

Conference

English

Krista Helman

Helman, K. (2025, March). Grief and EMDR. Presentation at the EMDR Canada Annual Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia