Carol Forgash

ABSTRACT This article is an excerpt from Healing the Heart of Trauma and Dissociation with EMDR and Ego State Therapy (edited by Carol Forgash and Margaret Copeley, 2007, pp. 1–59). The preparation phase of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is very important in the therapy of multiply traumatized clients with complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociative symptoms. EMDR clinicians who treat clients with complex trauma will benefit from learning specific readiness and stabilization interventions that are inherent to Phase 1 of a well-accepted phased trauma-treatment model. Extending the preparation phase of EMDR by including these interventions provides sequential steps for the development of symptom-management skills and increased stability. Additional focus is placed on helping clients work with their ego state system to develop boundaries, cooperative goals, and healthier attachment styles. Following an individually tailored preparation phase, the processing of long-held traumatic memory material becomes possible.

ABSTRACT Supervision de cas est une nouvelle rubrique régulière du Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, où un thérapeute demande de l'aide au sujet d'un cas difficile et où des réponses sont apportées par trois experts. Dans cet article, Amy Robbins (Atlanta, Géorgie), une thérapeute certifiée de la désensibilisation et du retraitement par les mouvements oculaires (EMDR) décrit brièvement le cas difficile d'une femme enceinte qui souhaite traiter un traumatisme subi au cours d'une tornade. La clinicienne demande s'il est indiqué de faire de l'EMDR et quels sont les précautions qu'elle devrait avoir à l'esprit. Le premier expert, Carol Forgash, fournit des informations générales sur la grossesse et la psychothérapie et expose les considérations, les soucis et les contre-indications relatifs au traitement EMDR dans ce cas. Elle recommande que, si le choix se porte sur le traitement EMDR, le thérapeute utilise le protocole de traumas récents pour cibler spécifiquement les souvenirs traumatiques de l'épisode récent de la tornade. Le second expert, Andrew Leeds, commente l'absence d'essais contrôlés randomisés (ECR) ou d'autres rapports scientifiques explorant la sécurité du traitement EMDR chez les femmes enceintes. Il estime que les femmes enceintes présentant des symptômes de stress post- traumatique doivent comprendre qu'il y a de fortes chances pour que l'EMDR améliore leur qualité de vie et que les risques d'effets indésirables sur la stabilité de la grossesse sont probablement faibles, mais qu'ils demeurent cependant inconnus. Le troisième expert, Claire Stramrood, explique que les rares études de cas ayant évalué l'EMDR pendant la grossesse ont rapporté des effets positifs, mais qu'elles concernaient des femmes souffrant d'un état de stress post-traumatique (ESPT) suivant un accouchement. Elle fait valoir qu'après consultation de l'obstétricien, une fois que les femmes ont été informées des risques et bénéfices potentiels, et qu'elles ont donné leur consentement éclairé, elles doivent être en mesure de choisir de commencer ou non la thérapie EMDR au cours de leur grossesse.

This article addresses the medical issues presented by women who were sexually abused in childhood and provides a detailed and direct link between the existing literature and its implications for the medical system. A profile of the sexual abuse survivor is given, including child sexual abuse (CSA) characteristics and sequelae that influence the adult female survivor's health. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is outlined as part of a complex interplay of physiological and psychological symptomatology that can compromise the CSA survivor's ability to access health care treatment and forge a positive provider/patient relationship. This article emphasizes that effective treatment with sexual abuse survivors must include interdisciplinary collaboration among health care professionals. Management of the CSA patient, a case vignette illustrating salient themes, and finally, guidelines for the health care practitioner are presented.

ABSTRACT How does one understand the tragedy of a child who has spina bifida and the impact of this on family life? How can parents of such a child be engaged in a therapeutic relationship either in group or individual treatment so they can explore the multitude and complexity of problems and feelings related to bearing a child who will be disabled throughout his life? How can the families be helped to cope with the constant requirement of time and money as well as the physical and emotional energies expended in the care of this child? How can the chronic worry, frustration, and despair about the childs future be eased? How are the other children in the family affected by the illness of their sibling? The human problems associated with this tragic birth defect led to an effort to develop social work services for the families involved in a Spina Bifido Clinic. This paper is a description of experiences in engaging the parents of these children in group treatment. the ralities that were found to mitigate against such a program, and the kind of group services that did in fact enhance the social functioning of these families.