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Course Description​

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This clinically focused program provides therapists with practical, immediately applicable interventions

for working with trauma-related dissociation and EMDR Therapy.

 

Trauma-related dissociation can significantly complicate EMDR therapy, often disrupting processing, limiting access to affect, or leading to destabilization if not properly addressed. This program is designed to help EMDR clinicians recognize, assess, and effectively work with dissociation across all eight phases of EMDR therapy, while intentionally integrating top-down and bottom-up strategies (somatic, sensory, and nervous system–informed). Attendees will learn how dissociation impacts information processing, affect regulation, implicit memory, and treatment engagement, as well as identify dissociative responses as they emerge in session.

 

Participants will learn to recognize dissociative responses as they emerge throughout the 8 phases of EMDR, differentiate dissociation from resistance or disengagement, and adapt clinical communication through pacing, grounding, and explicit interventions. Emphasis is placed on phase-oriented, trauma-informed decision-making and flexibly shifting strategies between top-down and bottom-up approaches based on moment-to-moment assessment of client readiness, capacities needed, and nervous system cues. For instance, imaginal work depends on a client’s ability to imagine and symbolize, while somatic work requires tolerance of bodily sensations. Additionally, implicit and nonverbal communication between therapist and client, as well as among dissociative parts, plays a crucial role. Such communication is often expressed through patterns of emotions, facial expressions, movements, sensations, and relational enactments, rather than through
words. Recognizing and understanding these signals is essential to strengthening the therapeutic alliance and supporting integration.

 

By examining case examples and developing structured intervention plans, clinicians will acquire practical strategies to minimize diagnostic misunderstandings, support client stabilization, alleviate dissociative symptoms, and enhance attunement, engagement, and overall treatment outcomes.

 

1. History Taking – Identifying trauma-related dissociation, structural adaptations, and treatment readiness.

2. Preparation – Strengthening stabilization, resourcing, and nervous system regulation using both top-down and bottom-up approaches.

3. Assessment – Modifying target selection and negative/positive cognitions when dissociation is present.

4. Desensitization – Maintaining dual attention and preventing shutdown or flooding during bilateral stimulation.

5. Installation – Supporting integration of adaptive beliefs when parts or dissociative barriers interfere.

6. Body Scan – Working somatically with dissociative responses and incomplete processing.

7. Closure – Ensuring containment, grounding, and client stability at session end.

8. Reevaluation – Assessing integration, dissociative symptoms, and treatment progression over time.

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Through clinical discussion, case examples, and practical strategies, participants will leave with increased confidence in adapting EMDR therapy for clients with trauma-related dissociation, enhancing safety, effectiveness, and long-term integration.

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Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:​

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• Identify at least two (2) key features of trauma-related dissociation

• Explain how dissociative processes may present across the eight phases of EMDR therapy.

• Compare between top-down and bottom-up interventions and explain the clinical rationale for integrating both approaches when working with dissociative clients.

• Apply at least four (4) phase-specific modifications to the EMDR protocol to enhance safety, stabilization, and dual awareness for clients experiencing dissociation.

• Analyze client readiness by recognizing dissociative indicators during history taking and preparation phases.

• Demonstrate at least two (2) strategies for maintaining engagement and preventing shutdown, flooding, or fragmentation during desensitization and body-based processing.

• Analyze treatment progress and integration by identifying dissociative responses during reevaluation and determining appropriate next steps in EMDR treatment.

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The Envision Difference

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100 % online:  Develop your skills from the comfort of your home or office via Zoom.

Live Q & A:  Ask questions during the live Q & A with the presenter and participants.

1 YEAR access:  Your registration comes with 1 year of access to the recorded program and to any materials the presenter has made available. Once you finish the program's requirements, you can receive a certificate with CEs for home study learning. *Exception applies, see CE section below