Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
ForwardExploring Elsewhere Thought Knowns: New Considerations for Using EMDR Therapy to Treat Dissociation
Important Training Information
Abstract
Over the past twenty years, more attention has been given to the adjunctive use of ‘parts’-informed approaches with EMDR therapy, specifically when treating persons with complex trauma histories. With the introduction and widespread adoption of the Theory of Structural Dissociation of the Personality and Internal Family Systems, much of the focus in the EMDR literature has been upon ‘parts’ therapies that favor working primarily with, and almost exclusively through, ‘Apparently Normal’ and adult self-states, essentially those self-states that are perceived to ‘front’ in daily life. However, there are both conceptual and practical challenges inherent in such an approach, as well as benefits to exploring other, established approaches to ‘parts’ work.
In this presentation, we will discuss both conceptual and practical aspects of a dissociation-informed, EMDR therapy-infused treatment frame by examining different, arguably problematic schools of thought in the EMDR therapy world on treating dissociation; explicating the theory underlying the Watkins’s Ego State Therapy approach as it applies for EMDR therapy; and the potential challenges of prioritizing the needs of adult states to the exclusion of working more directly with other self-states. This will lead us to discussing different manifestations of posttraumatic flashbacks that may be more easily understood through the lens of ‘client as a dynamic self-system’, stressing the importance of clarifying internal dynamics to ensure appropriate use of EMDR therapy methods. Finally, we will consider the value of intentionally ‘mapping’ a client’s self-system and its psychodynamics, and how this practice can enhance treatment outcomes in EMDR therapy when treating persons with dissociative features.
Potential to Distress: No
Timed Outline
Session One
10 Minutes: Introduction
30 Minutes: Schools of Thought: EMDR & Dissociation
35 Minutes: Ego State Therapy with a Capital E-S-T
15 Minutes: Q&A
30 Minutes: Break
Session Two
75 Minutes: Either/Or, or Both-And? Working Only with, and Through, "The Front End"
15 Minutes: Q&A
90 Minutes: Meal Break
Session Three
75 Minutes: Not All Flashbacks are Created Equal
15 Minutes: Q&A
30 Minutes: Break
Session Four
75 Minutes: To Map or Not to Map: That is the Question
15 Minutes: Discussion and Wrap-Up
Target Audience
Intermediate
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Name four proposed schools of thought informing the use of EMDR therapy to treat dissociation
- Briefly summarize the distinction between an ego state and a self-state
- Name at least two reasons that a practitioner may opt to work exclusive through a presumed ‘front part’
- List four different ways that flashbacks may manifest within a self-system.
- Briefly describe basic steps of ‘mapping’ a self-system.
Faculty
D. Michael Coy, MA, LICSW, EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Trainer
D. Michael Coy, MA, LICSW, (he/they) is a 2006 graduate of The Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at the University of Chicago and currently maintains a private practice in Bremerton, Washington, USA.
Michael is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and has served EMDRIA in a number of different volunteer capacities over the years. He has presented on EMDR therapy and dissociation for EMDRIA, ISSTD, and independently, and serves as lead trainer for ISSTD's EMDR therapy basic training, which he helped develop. He co-authored the MID Interpretive Manual, 2nd through 4th Editions, and has updated and managed both the MID Analysis and MID website since 2016. Michael has taught and consulted for hundreds of clinicians, both in the US and internationally, on using the MID for diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment.
Michael was co-author of both an article on screening for dissociation in EMDR therapy that appeared in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research in 2022 and a book chapter on diagnostic instruments for dissociation published in Dissociation and Dissociative Disorders: Past, Present, Future (2nd Edition) in 2022. He is sole author of a chapter on the Autohypnotic Model of Dissociation, which will be part of a forthcoming book on childhood dissociation Michael is currently co-authoring a book on EMDR and dissociation with his frequent collaborator Jennifer Madere. Michael also developed the Introject Decathexis (Id) Protocol, a powerful integrative approach to help unbind perpetrator-identifying states.
Michael was elected to ISSTD’s Board of Directors in 2017, served as Treasurer from 2018 to 2023, and was elected President-Elect for 2024. He was named a Fellow of ISSTD in 2019 and has been honored with a number of awards from the Society, including the Cornelia B. Wilbur Award for Outstanding Clinical Contributions to the Treatment of Dissociative Disorders in 2022.
Accreditation
Available Credit
- 6.00 APAThe International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
- 6.00 ASWB ACEThe International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD), #1744, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/20/2024 – 08/20/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 6.00 continuing education credits.
- 6.00 ISSTD Certificate ProgramThis program is eligible for 6.00 credits in the ISSTD Certificate Program. No certificate of completion is generated for this type of credit.
Register/Take course
Price
Early registration ends May 15, 2025 at 5:00 PM US Eastern Time. Prices will increase for emerging professional and professional/retired rates at that time by $50.
"Your Price" above reflects your final price based on your membership status, career level and any add-ons you choose to add to your registration. Please add this item to your cart and answer the questions on the next page to see your final price.
Please note that it can take up to two full business days for your membership status to update following the creation of your account in this system. You will receive an email once your account has been updated to reflect your membership status. Please wait until your membership status has been updated to register. If your account is not updated in this timeframe, please email cfas@isst-d.org for assistance.
- ISSTD defines a student as those enrolled in a program of study leading to a degree or certification in the mental health field and who have an interest in trauma and dissociation.
- ISSTD defines an emerging professional as mental health professionals who have completed an advanced degree and are in the first three years of their career (or first three years after graduation for researchers).
- If you do not fall into one of the above categories please register as Professional/Retired.
Available Discounts
- These prices are for Tier I countries. For a list of countries by Tier click here. If you are located in a country that falls into Tier II-VI please contact ISSTD at cfas@isst-d.org to receive the appropriate discount code. Canada and the United States are both Tier I countries.
- Group rates are available for groups of five or more from the same hospital, facility, or university. Please email ISSTD HQ for assistance with group rates. For groups of 5-9 the discount is 10% off registration fees, for groups of 10 or more the discount is 15% off registration fees.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing via email or fax. A processing fee of $45 will be charged for cancellations received on or before June 25, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET. No refunds will be issued for no-shows. Refund requests will not be accepted after June 25, 2025. Not all requests will be granted. Substitutions for attendees are accepted until June 30, 2025.
Grievance Policy
ISSTD is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformation with the APA and ASWB grievance procedures.
During this conference, conference organizers, presenters and staff will address any concerns that arise. Every effort will be made to address the concerns during the conference when possible. If these individuals are unable to address the participant’s concerns, the complaints and grievances shall be presented in writing to ISSTD Headquarters at cfas@isst-d.org. These will be forwarded on for review by the Virtual and Regional Conference Committee.
Social Workers: Should social workers have a specific grievance, these grievances will be addressed by D. Michael Coy, LICSW. In situations where the social worker would have a conflict of interest, then, Christine Forner, MSW will review the grievance.
ISSTD strives to resolve grievances in a manner that is in the best interest of the participant. All complaints and grievances are reviewed within 5 working days. Formal grievances are required to be written and emailed as directed above and will be responded to within 15 business days.
Disability Policy (ADA)
We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs. Please contact ISSTD Headquarters via email at cfas@isst-d.org or via phone at 844.994.7783 for assistance.
Registration Contact Information
Email: cfas@isst-d.org
Phone: 844.994.7783
Fax: 888.966.0310