Upcoming Seminars

Please select the blue "View & Purchase" button below next to the event you wish to attend.

Course Information

EMDR and IFS of the Brain

Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) offers a tangible means of exploring the self. The brain also has “parts” and is its own family system. The Adaptive Information Processing Model (AIP) also offers a tangible explanation of how the parts of the brain work together to take in, digest and store information along with input from chemicals and the nervous systems. Understanding the role of EMDR and IFS is important in order to normalize a client’s experiences and symptoms and offer options for a clear path to healing that are efficient and effective. Utilizing mindful resources for “parts” (IFS) and processing stuck experiences (EMDR) not only helps the brain heal but it offers the client a better understanding of self, which allows them to nurture and work with self and provide a holistic healing experience. We will accomplish these tasks via discussion, handouts, practicum and a client video.
 

Presenter


Kriss Jarecki, LCSWR and Samuel Gary Johnson, MA, BCC, NCC, ACS, LPC

Bio – Kriss Jarecki
Kriss Jarecki, LCSWR has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1987. She is an EMDR Consultant and trainer for Progressive Counting and EMDR. Kriss currently serves on the EMDR International Association Board of Directors and was a member of the EMDRIA Standards and Training Committee for four years. She served as a co-regional coordinator for the WNY EMDR Regional Network for 10 years and worked for 7 years as a field instructor for the University of Buffalo School of Social Work in New York. Kriss currently has a private practice serving children through adults and treats challenges such as PTSD, self-injurious behaviors, depression, anxiety, phobias, and adjustment issues. She has over ten years’ experience as a clinician and supervisor in the field of chemical dependency. She has published articles in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, Traumatology and Counselling and Psychotherapy Research.

Bio – Sam Johnson
Samuel G. Johnson, MA, BCC, NCC, ACS, LPC. He has worked in such varied fields as infant mental health, older adult mental health, residential treatment, inpatient, outpatient, community mental health, clinical supervision, university settings, and private practice.

 

Agenda

9:00 - 11:00 am - Teaching AIP. How the brain uses chemicals and parts of itself to digest experiences, what happens when information gets “stuck” and symptoms that emerge. Review the Polyvagal Theory and utilizing mindfulness as a means of healing. How EMDR provides mindfulness while accessing maladaptive information to bring a holistic healing experience. Discussion, visuals, handouts will be provided.

11:00 - 11:15 am - Break

11:15 am - 1:15 pm - The role of EMDR and IFS in working with the protective system and addressing protector fears (attachment and attunement). Discussion, handouts, and demonstration. 

1:15 - 1:45 pm - Lunch

1:45 - 3:15 pm - Learn and practice Parts on the Team and more mindfulness exercises to use in preparation for and cognitive interweaves during trauma work with therapies such as EMDR. We will do this via Discussion, video and practicum

3:15 - 3:30 pm - Break

3:30 - 5:00 pm - Direct access with protectors (IFS) and utilizing protectors during processing. We will do this via discussion and group practicum.

Total = 7 CEs

 

 

Learning Objectives

1.    Define the parts of the brain and how processing experiences happens (AIP)

2.    Assemble and express symptoms of too much or too little cortisol

3.   Apply a beginning understanding of how therapies such as EMDR access and work through “stuck” information in order to calm the LIMBIC system, heal the hippocampus and regulate the nervous systems (Polyvagal theory and EMDR)

4.    Demonstrate at least 3 mindful activities and how EMDR and IFS can be used together to enhance mindfulness 

5.    Apply the Positive Parts of the Team exercise (used as a preparation resource and an interweave during processing

6.    Differentiate when to use direct access or insight with parts (IFS) and when to apply therapies such as EMDR.

7.    Integrate working with the protective system with entrenched systems (IFS and EMDR)

 

-There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.

- For questions or concerns, please contact Kriss Jarecki at harmonyhearth64@gmail.com