Mindfulness, EMDR therapy, and Telehealth: Lessons from the MET(T)A Protocol (Part Two)

Now that we are some weeks into the pandemic and the shelter in place order here in Los Angeles, I see a more determined focus in those around me. I am part of what is happening here in LA, but because we are all connected over the internet more than anywhere else at this time, I am also a part of the global community of healers that desperately wants to help. We are compelled to do this all while experiencing our own feelings whether they be anxiety, despair, grief or even revived post traumatic symptomatology.

At times like this, I find myself grateful to have found EMDR Therapy and trauma focused therapy in general. A trauma focused approach makes sense to me during “normal” times, and now in the midst of a collective trauma, I find it makes sense to more and more people, clinicians and clients alike.

Many of my colleagues were filled with some understandable panic as we were called to switch to telehealth, an unknown domain for many, and for others a place fraught with anxiety regarding the safety and health of our clients.

The answer that I have proposed and continue to propose is that we lean into our experience with the 8 Phase Protocol, the AIP model along with the various modalities, therapies and orientations that we have woven into EMDR therapy. As an EMDR trainer, I am always suggesting that my trainees consider the possibility of using EMDR as a complete psychotherapy, thus leveraging the power of Janet’s Three Stage Model of trauma treatment and Dr. Shapiro’s structured, focused, and fully integrative approach to healing. If there is one thing that has helped me personally and professionally at a time like this, it is any structure at all. The most powerful of those structures are those that directly provide guideposts and pathways to healing.

So even if going forward the clinician plans on a more adjunctive or now-and-then use of EMDR, my suggestion would be to change that frame at least for the immediate future and throughout any transition made to telehealth. Embrace EMDR therapy as the complete psychotherapy that it is, lean into the protocols, particularly the 8 Phase Standard Protocol, and make any adjustments that are called for when delivering through telehealth.

I presented on EMDR as a Complete Psychotherapy at the 2019 EMDRIA Conference, and I presented a webinar two weeks ago on the lessons I have learned from the MET(T)A Protocol (Mindfulness and EMDR Treatment Template for Agencies) that can inform our work in telehealth. I will save my thoughts on some of the adjustments within the protocols that are necessary for Telehealth for a subsequent blog.

Until then... Keep Calm and Do EMDR Therapy.

Click HERE for Part One of this series on Mindfulness, EMDR Therapy & Telehealth