Course Description

Approximately 80% of individuals who contracted the COVID-19 virus experience “long-haul” symptoms. The Central Nervous System (CNS) and Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) appear to play a significant role in the development and maintenance of Long-COVID symptoms. Long-COVID symptoms that can be connected to the CNS include fatigue, brain fog, headache, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, dizziness, and dysautonomia. Long-COVID symptoms that can be connected to the PNS include muscle weakness, myalgias (muscle aches and pains), hyposmia (loss of smell), hypogeusia (lack of taste), hearing loss/tinnitus, and sensorimotor deficits. A qualitative literature review, as well as quantitative case study questionnaires, provide evidence that the COVID-19 virus resembles a physiological trauma. Therefore, it is proposed that Long-COVID symptoms represent physiological Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Quantitative case study questionnaires and qualitative observations demonstrate that Long-COVID nervous system related symptoms can be effectively treated with EMDR therapy.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to identify 3 or more Long-COVID symptoms that can be connected to the Central and/or Parasympathetic Nervous System.
2. Participants will be able to explain similarities between Long-COVID symptoms and PTSD symptoms.
3. Participants will be able to describe client outcomes of EMDR therapy treatment for nervous system related Long-COVID symptoms.

Presenter(s)

Lizy Wiggins, LCSW

Lizy Wiggins, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and an EMDR Certified Therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and EMDRIA Approved Trainer. She is the founder and executive director of EMDR Restorative Consulting, LLC. She provides both EMDR Basic Training and Advanced EMDR Training, virtually and in person. Lizy is also the founder and executive director of EMDR Restorative Therapy, PLLC. She is in the midst of a case study investigating the efficacy of EMDR in treating Long-COVID symptoms with her co-author, Ricky Greenwald, PsyD. Her specialties include polyvagal theory, dissociation, and EMDR intensives.

Ricky Greenwald, Psy.D.

Ricky Greenwald, Psy.D., is a practicing clinical psychologist working with children, teens, adults, and families since 1985. He is the Trauma Institute & Child Trauma Institute’s founder, executive director, and chair of faculty. Dr. Greenwald is an affiliate full professor at the SUNY University at Buffalo School of Social Work and was previously assistant clinical professor and director of training for the child trauma program at Mount Sinai School of Medicine (NYC), Department of Psychiatry. He is a fellow of the American Psychological Association, Division 56 (Trauma).

Jenny Rydberg, M.Sc., Ph.D. candidate

Jenny Rydberg, M.Sc., is a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist working in private practice with clients with complex trauma and dissociative disorders. She is a PhD candidate and a lecturer in psychology at the University of Lorraine in France. Additionally, Jenny is Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research and an Associate Editor of the European Journal of Trauma and Dissociation. She provides consultation in psychotherapy integration in the field of attachment, dissociative, and posttraumatic disorders.