Honoring Clients Where They Are: The Innovative Integration of IFS and EMDR

Course overview

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Internal Family Systems (IFS) are both well-established evidenced-based approaches that address multiple clinical issues including treating trauma and complex trauma. Integrating these two models provides enhanced benefit to clients that may struggle in traditional EMDR. In this webinar, Dr. Fatter will discuss the theoretical underpinnings, common principles as well as the differing approaches to trauma treatment of each model. Dr. Fatter will describe the proposed mechanisms of change of each model including explaining both model's use of the neurophysiological process of memory reconsolidation. With almost 20 years of experience in EMDR and as a seasoned IFS consultant, Dr. Fatter will provide nuanced IFS-informed interventions to use at each phase of the eight phases of EMDR treatment to maintain fidelity to the EMDR traditional protocol. Practical IFS-oriented interventions to use during preparation and resource development will be explored. Common examples of when clients experience blocked trauma processing in EMDR and ways IFS interventions can help clients return to trauma processing will be discussed. Ethical considerations, risks and limitations will also be reviewed in integrating these two models. Case examples and an experiential of a practical IFS intervention will be explored.