Enhancing EMDR Therapy with Neurofeedback Technologies

In typical EMDR therapy many clients present with complex trauma including dysregulated feelings, physical symptoms, dysfunctional relationships, and a fragile nervous system. Researchers in the field of neuroscience such as Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score) and Dr. Ruth Lanius are fascinated with the way neurofeedback can make changes in traumatized brains. This presentation would first discuss traditional, linear neurofeedback which has been used for trauma research and how it is designed to work with the brain. A description of NeurOptimal Nonlinear Dynamical Neurofeedback® would be introduced and how it interfaces with the brain to support the nervous system. A short comparison of the two types of neurofeedback and how they work to improve EMDR therapy would be included next in the workshop. EMDR case examples would conclude the presentation to show how neurofeedback supports the trauma healing process in the brain facilitating more elegant EMDR therapy.

Learning objectives:

1. List four ways that traditional linear neurofeedback works to make changes in how the brain is functioning.
2. Explain how NeurOptimal Nonlinear Dynamical Neurofeedback® works to increase resilience and flexibility in the CNS
3. Identify four ways that utilizing NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback contributes to client stability and gets them ready for EMDR processing
4. Describe five ways NeurOptimal® increases the Window of Tolerance leading to enhanced EMDR processing.

Percentage of EMDR Content: 50%