Background: Variations of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) have been used to treat a range of symptoms, including negative body image. In this workshop attendees will learn EMDR principles and techniques as applied to negative body image in eating disorders, as well as the neurobiology behind the effectiveness of EMDR in this population. This presentation is appropriate for clinicians with and without previous EMDR training. Attendees will leave this session with a step-by-step process from history taking and creating safety to reprocessing to address negative body image symptoms in clients with eating disorders. Video excerpts and in-session demonstrations will be utilized.
Objectives: 1. Describe the effectiveness of EMDR in the treatment of eating disorders and negative body image. 2. Explain the proposed neurobiological process behind EMDR in the treatment of negative body image. 3. Apply EMDR (and other affective) techniques in the treatment of negative body image.
SIEGFRIED & PARRIS 2018
I. Why EMDR for body image (BI)? EMDR may allow client to systematically reprocess negative memories associated with BI and create a neuro-template to apply to distressing future BI events.
a. Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model: Current maladaptive reactions are function of past negative experiences that were ineffectively processed and stored.
b. Three Pronged Protocol
i. Past
ii. Present
iii. Future
II. EMDR as applied to BI in EDs
a. History Taking
i. Assess for attachment style, which may impact client’s window of emotional tolerance and capacity for resource installation.
ii. Assess for family messages around food/body, which may provide groundwork for touchstone memories related to negative BI.
iii. Floatback technique: Assists client in accessing memories associated with the current presenting problem.
b. Preparation: Clients with EDs often have narrow windows of emotional tolerance, and as such may require more “front-loading” and preparation for EMDR.
i. Affect Management Techniques in Preparation for EMDR
1. Modulation Model
2. Brain Lock techniques
ii. Safe Place/Calm Place: Assists clients in working in present with negative experience. Allows clinician to assess for client’s ability to shift from negative state to positive state, which will be necessary for processing phase.
iii. Comprehensive Resource Installation & Psychological Resource Development and Installation
iv. Somatic Interweave and Somatic Resourcing
c. Assessment:
i. Negative and Positive Cognitions: Assess for negative and positive cognitions. Negative cognitions are by-product of maladaptively-stored past experiences. Positive cognitions are outcomes of successful reprocessing.
ii. SUDS for distress related to experience
iii. VOC (Validity of Positive Cognition)
d. Reprocessing/Desensitization: Reprocess target memory and associated experiences to create adaptive resolution. This section will be discussed with EMDR and Non-EMDR affective processing options (for those not trained in EMDR)
i. May be necessary to use “trauma fragments” to titrate reprocessing in clients with EDs.
ii. ED myths and Blocking Beliefs
e. Installation: Purpose of this phase is to strengthen the connection of the positive memory to the reprocessed target memory.
f. Body Scan: After completed processing, check for residual body sensations that need additional processing.
g. Closure
III. Conclusion and Future Directions
Dr. Nicole Siegfried is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist and Supervisor. She is a Clinical Director with Castlewood Treatment Centers and their National Director of Eating Disorder Program Development. She previously served as an Associate Professor of Psychology at Samford University and is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is the founding president of the Alabama iaedp Regional Chapter. She is co-developer of the Body Embrace Program.
Amber is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, and Certified Eating Disorders Specialist. Amber has worked with eating disorders at all levels of care, and currently has a thriving outpatient practice in addition to her work as primary therapist at Castlewood Treatment Centers. Amber has specialized training and experience in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Prolonged Exposure. Amber is co-developer of the Body Embrace Program and is committed to helping clients rediscover their sense of self and reconnect with their values and purpose to drive them toward recovery.
