An EMDR Strategy for Healing Attachment Trauma

© Alison Teal, MFT, 2017
An EMDR Strategy for Healing Attachment Trauma
© Alison Teal, MFT, 2017

NOW OPEN: Super Resourcing Institute

In an effort to share Super Resourcing with a wider range of clinicians and clients, Alison Teal is thrilled to launch the Super Resourcing Institute (SRI).  SRI offers a range of webinars, trainings, and certifications that teach therapists to utilize the modality in whatever capacity they see fit for their client populations.

We are currently accepting applications to become a Super Resourcing clinician, and individual & group consultations are now available.  For additional information, please visit our website.

What is Super Resourcing?

Super Resourcing (SR) is an innovative expansion of Phase Two of EMDR.  This protocol offers clients an effective and time-efficient resolution of attachment wounding.  Distressing symptoms are reduced without having to process trauma directly.  Consequently, this makes Super Resourcing an excellent choice for clients who struggle with trauma work.  Additionally, it invites the development of a new positive personal narrative; the past is finally where it belongs – in the past.

How does it work?

Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) is a key factor in understanding the efficacy of EMDR Therapy. EMDR focuses on three neurological information storage forms: sensation, emotion, and cognition. When all three negative neural networks are identified, linked with a distressing memory target, and activated with Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), the consequence is a more complete and time-efficient resolution of disturbance. The development of SR resulted from the discovery that the AIP model is just as effective in potentiating positive sensations, emotions, and cognitions as it is in resolving traumatic experiences and all of its associated negative sensations, emotions, and cognitions. When SR is combined with elements of Attachment and Internal Family Systems theories, it maximizes healing, attachment repair, and the creation of new and more positive neural networks. Positive neurological integration occurs not only with emotions, sensations, and cognitions but also within distressed parts of the psyche.

SR focuses on healing the part who experienced the distress rather than focusing on the distress itself. A systemic experience of well-being allows dissociation and fragmentation to heal and an experience of present-time wholeness becomes possible.

Super Resourcing is based on EMDR research and its theoretical underpinnings, but is turned “inside out.”

An effective EMDR session ends with a positive cognition installation whereas Super Resourcing starts with positive installations, i.e., targeting and processing positive images, sensations, emotions and cognitions. There is a large body of research on the power of positive imagery and visualization. It has been found that imagination has a direct influence on perception; positive imagery has the power to change the way we think about and experience trauma.

In a study conducted by the Karolinska Institutet, published in the scientific journal, Current Biology, the findings detail how imagination can alter mind-brain function. This finding, along with the conclusion of many mind / brain researchers, is the foundation of Super Resourcing. SR, however, takes positive imagery a step further; Adaptive Information Processing and Bilateral Stimulation potentiate the positive matrix and a more fully embodied and integrated positive network is neurologically developed.

A new paradigm

EMDR, as well as many other trauma methodologies, are based on the assumption that reprocessing traumatic memories is necessary for their resolution.  Although this is an effective approach in many instances, SR provides an alternative for many clients; healing and resolution are possible without re-experiencing and reprocessing the original trauma.

SR frequently takes the trauma out of trauma work.  Additionally, it opens the door for a wider range of clients — clients for whom EMDR is contraindicated due to poor ego strength or inability to self-regulate, as well as those suffering from more severe dissociation and fragmentation stemming from complex trauma.

Interested in becoming a Super Resourcing Therapist?

Super Resourcing Institute offers several levels of training for professionals in the healing arts field.  Once certified, members of the Super Resourcing Institute can receive the opportunity to be listed on our website for referrals to reach a wider range of clients and offer webinars to other prospective members of the organization.

With six applications and fourteen benefits, Super Resourcing can be applied in many contexts.  Please visit the website below to learn more.

What is Super Resourcing?

Super Resourcing (SR) is an innovative expansion of Phase Two of EMDR.  This protocol  offers your clients an effective and time efficient resolution of attachment wounding.  Distressing symptoms are reduced without having to process trauma directly.  Consequently, this makes Super Resourcing an excellent choice for clients who struggle with trauma work.  Additionally, it invites the development of a new positive personal narrative;  the past is finally where it belongs – in the past.

How does it work?

Accelerated Information Processing (AIP) is a key factor in understanding the efficacy of EMDR Therapy. EMDR focuses on three neurological information storage forms — sensation, emotion and cognition. When all three negative neural networks are identified, linked with a distressing memory target and activated with Bilateral Stimulation (BLS), the consequence is a more complete and time-efficient resolution of disturbance. The development of Super Resourcing (SR) resulted from my discovery that the AIP model is just as effective in potentiating positive sensations, emotions and cognitions as it is in resolving traumatic experiences and all of its associated negative sensations, emotions and cognitions. When SR is combined with elements of Attachment and Internal Family Systems theories, it maximizes healing, attachment repair and the creation of new and more positive neural networks. Positive neurological integration occurs not only with emotions, sensations and cognitions but also within distressed parts of the psyche. SR  focuses on healing the part who experienced the distress rather than focusing on the distress itself. A systemic experience of well-being allows dissociation and fragmentation to heal and an experience of present-time wholeness becomes possible.

Super Resourcing is based on EMDR research and its theoretical underpinnings, but is turned “inside out.”

An effective EMDR session ends with a positive cognition installation whereas Super Resourcing starts with positive installations by targeting and processing positive images, sensations, emotions and cognitions. There is a large body of research on the power of positive imagery and visualization. Researchers in Sweden have found that imagination has a direct influence on perception, i.e., positive imagery has the power to change the way we think about and experience trauma. In this study from the Karolinska Institutet, published in the scientific journal, Current Biology, the findings detail how imagination can alter mind-brain function. This finding, along with the conclusion of many mind/brain researchers is the foundation of Super Resourcing. SR, however, takes positive imagery a step further; Accelerated Information Processing and Bilateral Stimulation potentiate the positive matrix and a more fully embodied and integrated positive network is neurologically developed.

A new paradigm

EMDR, as well as many other trauma methodologies, are based on the assumption that reprocessing traumatic memories is necessary for their resolution. Although this is an effective approach in many instances, SR provides an alternative for many clients; healing and resolution are possible without re-experiencing and reprocessing the original trauma. SR  frequently takes the trauma out of trauma work. Additionally, it opens the door for a wider range of clients — clients for whom EMDR is contraindicated due to poor ego strength, inability to self-regulate as well as those suffering from more severe dissociation and fragmentation, stemming from complex trauma.

Consultation and Training
Now Available

To inquire about individual or group consultation, or trainings for your organization, please contact me.

Conclusion

SR is based on the principles of EMDR and, by extension, has been the subject of comprehensive research as to its efficacy. SR relies on the Adaptive Information Processing model which results in Rapid Free Association. SR expands the resource phase of EMDR and provides a way of reducing the trauma inherent in trauma processing. By resourcing the person who experienced the distress, one’s relationship to the distress is altered. Wounded parts that emerge in the session are fully resourced and invited into the positive field for attachment repair. Fully resourced clients experience greater well-being, more optimism, and more reliable personal agency when facing the challenges in their lives.

Both clients and clinicians report positive results; they feel that it augments the healing of attachment wounds and complex trauma in a time-efficient manner. It has also decreased the level of trauma experienced throughout the process of trauma work.  SR is also a valuable methodology for non-EMDR clinicians, particularly those who serve clients in compromised circumstances, such as hospice pastors, nurses, teachers, and Human Resource employees.

Attributions

Super Resourcing has its roots in the brilliant work and thinking of Francine Shapiro, who developed EMDR. I feel gratitude for having studied directly with her and for the trailblazing work she did which resulted in EMDR taking its rightful place as a legitimate and effective trauma methodology. I have also been strongly influenced by the many clinicians who took Shapiro’s work and adapted it for special populations and issues.

Attachment wounding and healing have become a popular issue of focus in the psychology world.  I have great appreciation and respect for those who evolved Francine’s work to more specifically address developmental wounding: Landry Wildwind, Shirley Jean Schmidt, and Laurel Parnell.  Additionally, I wish to acknowledge the work of Janina Fisher, who deepened my understanding of structural dissociation and taught me how to procedurally switch my clinical focus of attention from the trauma itself toward the client who experienced it.  Additionally, I appreciate my many consultees who used SR with their clients and provided me with much feedback in the early days of its development.

Conclusion

SR is based on the principles of EMDR and by extension, has been the subject of comprehensive research as to its efficacy. SR relies on the Accelerated Information Processing model and resulting in Rapid Free Association. SR expands the resource phase of EMDR and provides a way of reducing the trauma inherent in trauma processing. By resourcing the person who experienced the distress, one’s relationship to the distress is altered. Wounded parts which emerge in the session are fully resourced and invited into the positive field for attachment repair. Fully resourced clients experience greater well-being, more optimism and more reliable personal agency when facing the challenges in their lives.

I have been using SR with my clients with great success. I have taught this protocol to numerous EMDR consultees and colleagues who report positive results. They feel it has augmented the healing of attachment wounds and complex trauma in a time efficient manner. It has also decreased the level of trauma experienced in the process of doing trauma work. I have taught SR to some non-EMDR clinicians, who found it to be a valuable addition to their practice. Additionally, I have taught SR to non-clinicians who serve people in compromised circumstances, i.e., in addition to licensed psychotherapists, a hospice pastor who successfully uses it with his clients and his clients’ families as well as a home care nurse who uses it with her patients.

Attributions

Super Resourcing has its roots in the brilliant work and thinking of Francine Shapiro who developed EMDR. I feel gratitude for having studied with her and for the trail blazing work she did which resulted in EMDR taking its rightful place as a legitimate and effective trauma methodology. I have also been strongly influenced by the many clinicians who took Shapiro’s work and adapted it for special populations and issues. Attachment wounding and healing has become a popular issue of focus in the psychology world. I have great appreciation and respect for those who evolved Francine’s work to more specifically address developmental wounding: Landry Wildwind, Shirley Jean Schmidt and Laurel Parnell. Additionally, I wish to acknowledge the work of Janina Fisher. She deepened my understanding of structural dissociation and taught me how to procedurally switch my clinical focus of attention from the trauma to the client who experienced it.