From Complex Trauma to Dissociation and Psychoses. EMDR and ICoNN Model

As a specialist in ‘EMDR therapy for schizophrenia and psychoses’ research is sparse: there is a need for further critical examination and peer review. Case-reports and studies describe its success in these DSM diagnosable illnesses and these findings are consistent internationally. My study of and clinical experience with past trauma, when identified as an etiological factor to psychoses, and treated with EMDR therapy showed functional improvement clinically. EMDR therapy safely and effectively treats people with psychotic experiences, without causing destabilization. Psychotic phenomena can be tracked back to access suitable targets for reprocessing. The ICoNN method proposes modifications enabling the identification of targets. This AIP-informed understanding of psychoses explains pathology: guides therapeutic endeavour and is predictive of outcome. However, the more one explores the history and phenomenological development of DSM nosology for these conditions, the more we see the great overlap with disorders of complex trauma and dissociation. This course is an in-depth exploration of the treatment of complex trauma, dissociation and psychotic disorders and it builds upon a solid foundation of the ‘need to know’ aspects of psychological trauma, including its bio-psycho-social aspects.