Child and Adolescent Complex Trauma Conference: Using the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) with EMDR therapy for children and youth

This workshop will focus on the use of the SSP within Phase 2 of EMDR Therapy, as a means of providing an adjunctive tool for therapists that addresses the impact of complex trauma on the autonomic nervous system and assists children and youth with accessing a physiological state that is beneficial to inner well-being and positive engagement with others.  Through this shift in physiological state, children and youth are able to access an inner grounded state of calm, safety, and connection, which can facilitate growth and learning in therapy.  Complexities of complex trauma treatment that focuses on poor positive affect tolerance will be explored in cases where additional preparation is needed before children and youth are able to tolerate positive affect and states of calm in the body induced by the SSP. The SSP is rooted in Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory and promotes a neural platform for health, growth and restoration.

Speaker bio:

Jillian is an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDR Consultant in Training (CIT) under the supervision of Ana Gomez, MC, LPC and has extensive experience providing comprehensive assessment and treatment to children and youth who are struggling with experiences of trauma, PTSD and complex PTSD, attachment and developmental trauma, and symptoms of dissociation/dissociative disorders. Jillian practices out of Toronto, Canada and places value on the mind-body connection and an integrative approach to healing.  She is a founding partner of the Healing Therapy Alliance (HTA) in Toronto, a collective of integrative Psychotherapists, Wellness Therapists, and Addictions Counselors in Toronto, Canada that values a collaborative, team-based approach to healing the whole person and is grounded in neuroscience and trauma-specific, evidence informed practices.