Healing Addiction with EMDR Therapy: A Trauma-Focused Guide

Healing Addiction with EMDR is a comprehensive guide to using EMDR therapy for treating addiction. It offers a holistic approach that combines standard EMDR therapy with specialty protocols, and is written by two prominent practitioners and trainers of EMDR therapy. The book focuses on understanding each individual case, and provides a wealth of best practices and strategies for using EMDR therapy to treat addictive disorders. It also includes case studies, "Tips and Tricks from the Field," and practical exercises to reinforce knowledge.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 28 August 2021
Publisher: Springer Publishing Co Inc

This book is a must-read for clinicians who want to provide effective and compassionate care to clients suffering from trauma and addictions. Marich and Dansiger take a comprehensive, integrative, relational, and deeply hopeful approach to therapy, sharing their wisdom and lived experience as skilled clinicians and vulnerable human beings who have struggled with addiction themselves. They benefit greatly from EMDR therapy, and their book offers a roadmap for clinicians to navigate the often convoluted and intricate journey of accompanying clients in their healing process.

The book is divided into three parts: foundational skills, advanced skills, and stabilization strategies. In the first part, the authors provide a comprehensive overview of EMDR therapy, including its history, theory, and clinical applications. They discuss the importance of understanding each individual case through case conceptualization and treatment planning, and they emphasize the need to avoid the simplistic "What protocol should we use?" question. People need to be understood as individual beings, as this is the essence of EMDR Therapy.

In the second part, the authors offer a rich repertoire of foundational and advanced skills for therapists to use in their work with clients. They cover a wide range of topics, including trauma resolution, addiction treatment, working with complex trauma, attachment, and dissociation. The authors provide clear and practical examples of how to apply these skills in different clinical situations, and they offer guidance on how to tailor treatment to each individual client's needs.

The third part of the book focuses on stabilization strategies, which are essential for supporting clients during the early phases of therapy. The authors discuss the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment, managing client anxiety and distress, and addressing any underlying trauma that may be contributing to addiction. They offer a variety of stabilization techniques, including eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and mindfulness-based approaches.

Throughout the book, the authors emphasize the importance of collaboration and teamwork in addiction treatment. They encourage clinicians to work with other healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers, to provide a holistic and comprehensive approach to treatment. They also discuss the importance of addressing the underlying trauma that may be contributing to addiction, and they offer strategies for working with clients who may have experienced multiple traumas or who may be resistant to traditional therapy approaches.

Healing Addiction with EMDR is tailored to support therapists along the different phases of EMDR Therapy. It focuses on understanding each individual case, through case conceptualization and treatment planning, and avoiding the simplistic "What protocol should we use?" question. People need to be understood as individual beings, since this is the essence of EMDR Therapy.

One of the strengths of this book is its holistic approach to addiction treatment. The authors recognize that addiction is not just a physical problem, but a complex issue that involves emotional, psychological, and social factors. They offer a comprehensive treatment plan that includes not only EMDR therapy but also other modalities, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based approaches, and support groups.

Another strength of the book is its emphasis on the importance of self-care for therapists. The authors recognize that working with clients who are suffering from trauma and addiction can be emotionally challenging and draining, and they offer strategies for managing stress and burnout. They also provide guidance on how to maintain a healthy work-life balance and take care of oneself physically and mentally.

Overall, Healing Addiction with EMDR is a comprehensive and innovative guide to addiction treatment that combines standard EMDR therapy with specialty protocols. It is a must-read for clinicians who want to provide effective and compassionate care to clients suffering from trauma and addictions. The authors' wisdom, lived experience, and practical approach to therapy make this book an invaluable resource for anyone working in the field of addiction treatment.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826136060