Introduction to Neural Desensitization and Integration Training: Tools to Integrate EMDR, Somatic, and Other Approaches to Trauma – Jennifer Sweeton

Several evidence-informed approaches to trauma can be immensely helpful to clients. However, many of these therapies are either rigid and overly prescriptive, making it difficult to stay client-centered, or vague, mainly rooted in theory.

Neural Desensitization and Integration Training (NDIT) is a module-based, exposure, trauma-focused approach to therapy for PTSD that integrates elements from EMDR, multichannel eye movement integration, prolonged exposure, IFS, and somatic therapies. The main goal of NDIT is to help clients titrate into processing traumatic material, so that flooding and retraumatization are minimized. NDIT is also evidence-informed and flexible, which encourages clinicians to create individualized, client-focused trauma treatment plans that can be easily integrated with other therapies.

Additionally, NDIT focuses on what clients do outside of session, and ways to facilitate progress though homework exercises. This one-day training will introduce you to basic trauma processing skills of NDIT, that you can begin incorporating into your practice right away.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this workshop, the learner will be able to:

State at least three components of neural networks.
Name at least three brain areas impacted by psychological trauma.
Describe why bilateral movement can facilitate desensitization to distressing thoughts, fears, or memories.
Identify two ways to alter visual or auditory memory components that decreases their intensity during imaginal exposure.
State the three steps of memory reconsolidation.

Schedule

Rough Schedule/Agenda:

9-9:30am: Introduction to NDIT, and Trauma Treatment Roadmap

Building the alliance
Reconnecting with the Body
Regulating the Stress Response
Strengthening the Mind
Processing Trauma

9:30-10:30am: Neuroscience of trauma, PTSD, and psychotherapy

The Trauma Treatment Roadmap is based on how the brain processes information, learns, re-learns, and changes. The five steps aim to facilitate therapeutic brain change in the five main regions of the brain impacted by trauma:

Amygdala
Hippocampus
Insula
Cingulate cortex
Prefrontal cortex

10:30-10:45am: Break

10:45-11:00am: Three Ways to Change the Brain

Bottom-Up Techniques
Top-Down Techniques
Horizontal Techniques

11:00-11:10am: Rules of Neuroplasticity

11:10-11:30am: The Five Modules of Neural Desensitization and Integration Training: Specific Techniques and Contraindications

11:30-11:45am: Introduction to Neural Networks

11:45am-12:00pm: Memory Reconsolidation Steps and Concepts

12:00-1:00pm: Lunch

1:00-1:30: Identifying Trauma Treatment Targets, How to Create a Trauma Profile

1:30-2:00pm: Selecting Targets for Trauma Processing (moments in time, not entire memory)

2:00-2:10pm: Somatic Targets for Trauma Processing

2:10-2:30pm: Creating Trauma Narratives (thinking of the memory in its entirety)

2:30-2:45pm: Break

2:45-3:30pm: Skills for Fast Desensitization

Bilateral movements and stimulation
Stress response regulation
Psychological distancing
Skills integration

3:30-3:50pm: Creating a Trauma Processing Plan

3:50-4:00pm: Distress Thermometer and SUDS

4:00-4:20pm: Demonstration

4:20-4:30pm: Wrap up/conclusion

About the Speaker

Originally trained as a neuroscientist, Dr. Jennifer Sweeton is a clinical and forensic psychologist, Amazon #1 best-selling author, and internationally-recognized expert on trauma and the neuroscience of mental health. She is the author of the Trauma Treatment Toolbox, the Train Your Brain Card Deck: 100 Techniques to Heal Trauma and Build Resiliency, Eight Key Brain Areas of Mental Health and Illness, and the forthcoming Traumatic Stress Recovery Workbook: 40 Brain-Changing Techniques You Can Use Right Now to Treat Symptoms of PTSD and Start Feeling Better. Dr. Sweeton completed her doctoral training at the Stanford University School of Medicine, the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, and the National Center for PTSD. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree in affective neuroscience from Stanford University, and studied behavioral genetics at Harvard University. Dr. Sweeton resides in the greater Kansas City area, where she owns a group private practice, and holds an adjunct faculty appointment at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Sweeton offers clinical and forensic psychological services, and is a sought-after trauma and neuroscience expert who has trained more than 20,000 mental health professionals in all 50 US states and over 20 countries.

CPD/CE

CPD & CE credits available: 6

How do I receive these credits?

The participant must pass the multiple-choice test with a minimum score of 80%. There is a maximum of three attempts to achieve this.

The post-test is included in the price of the training.

Does my regulatory body accept the credits?

The CPD & CE credits awarded can be used towards your declaration to any governing regulatory body in your state or country, provided the content is relevant to your discipline.

Our trainings are accredited by:

– The CPD Group, London
– Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
– Australian Counselling Association