Authors
Sergio GIURINA^1,2,3,
¹Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Association of Australia (EMDRAA)
²Australian Association of Psychologists inc (AAPi)
³Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Background and Aims
Many patients experience difficulties maintaining a safe place (selfregulation).This intervention based on Somatic Therapies “reverse engineers” simple therapeutic procedures, by taking a few seconds for patients when responding to panic attacks and heightened anxiety levels. The aim is to find ways of integrating more effective self-regulation and introspection activity during EMDR. This simple therapeutic procedure (The Emotional Safety Switch) reduces panic, anxiety and/or distress within short time periods.

Methods
At the first assessment patients were asked for consent to being taught the Emotional Safety Switch; a somatic activity aimed at increasing self regulation by simple posture changes

Results
Two hundred and twenty-three patients agreed to be included: Females: n= 108, (48%); Males: n=115, (52%). Ages ranged between 8 to 86 years (mean 42.4 years (SD±17.5)). Pre and post intervention self-rated Subjective Units of Distress scale (SUDs) indicated a reduction in post-SUDs score of 66.9%. No statistical difference between age or gender was noted. Once established the “muscle memory” of the Emotional Safety Switch integrates into EMDR, resulting in fewer sets and number of sessions required.

Conclusions
The Emotional Safety Switch shows promise as an effective intervention that teaches individuals a simple postural change that can help with more effective self-regulation and introspection activity pre, during, and post EMDR.

Learning objectives
1. The Emotional Safety Switch is an effective and efficient alternative to safe place protocol
2. The Emotional Safety Switch can be unitized between sets of BLS
3. The Emotional Safety Switch continues to consolidate the progress made during EMDR post treatment.
4. The Emotional Safety Switch continues potentially eliminates any adverse reactions post EMDR treatment.
5. The Emotional Safety Switch continues to consolidate the progress made during EMDR post treatment.
6. The Emotional Safety Switch can be utilized as part of the assessment process and preparation for EMDR

Authors
Domna Ventouratou¹,
Maria Kopakaki²,
Maria Skordou^3
1 Institute for Trauma Treatment GP, Kountouriotou 63, 11146 Galatsi, Athens
²Private Practice,Metamorphoseos 51, 15234 Chalandri, Athens, Greece
³Private Practice, Asklipiou 144, 11471 Athens, Greece (APS)

Background and Aims
Client symptoms or core beliefs sometimes cannot be attributed only to personal traumatic experiences, appearing instead to be linked to unresolved ancestral burdens, transmitted through emotional dynamics and implicit communication within families. This presentation introduces a
specialized EMDR protocol specifically tailored to address intergenerational trauma, inspired by the work of Katharina Drexler [1], Natalie Robinson [2] and Mark Brayne [3].

Methods
The application and impact of the protocol will be illustrated through case presentations. Generational traumas, possibly linked to current symptoms or difficulties, are identified by employing genograms and intergenerationally focused history-taking. They are then addressed
only after the client has completed processing of related primary traumatic experiences. During the implementation of the intergenerational EMDR protocol, the ancestral ego part is invited to “see through the eyes” of the client and process traumatic events, to achieve unburdening and facilitate emotional relief and healing.

Results
The case studies presented showcase how addressing ancestral burdens can aid in achieving emotional balance, symptom reduction and the construction of a new, coherent narrative about the self in the context of the family and the ancestral lineage.

Conclusions
Clients can deepen emotional healing by processing generational emotional wounds with an innovative EMDR protocol, combining the AIP perspective with an ego state approach.

Learning objectives
1. Understand how inherited traumas can influence clients emotionally and behaviorally
2. Get introduced to an EMDR protocol specifically tailored to address intergenerational trauma
3. Explore case studies demonstrating improving clients’ emotional well-being by unburdening ancestral introjects

References
[1] Drexler K. Erlebte Wunder. Stuttgart: Klett-Cotta Verlag; 2017.
[2] Robinson N. Legacy Attuned EMDR Therapy: Toward a Coherent Narrative. In: Nickerson M, editor. Cultural Competence and Healing. New York: Springer Publishing Company; 2017. p. 147-160.
[3] Brayne M. Unleash Your EMDR: Release the Magic: A Guidebook for Attachment-Informed, Integrative, Transpersonal EMDR [Kindle edition]; 2022.