EMDR Toolbox: Theory and Treatment of Complex PTSD and Dissociation

by Jim Knipe

This innovative resource for therapists trained in Standard EMDR delivers a powerful set of EMDR-based "Tools" - useful strategies for helping difficult-to-treat clients with complex emotional problems. The second edition reflects the author's ongoing efforts to design treatments that can significantly extend the therapeutic power of methods based on an Adaptive Information Processing model. It describes new discoveries that promote effective ways of structuring therapy sessions and refines original treatment procedures that can facilitate and safely accelerate therapeutic progress.

The book provides an overview of the principal issues in treating these complex emotional problems and describes highly effective methodologies with a wide variety of clinical presentations that originate in or include disturbing traumatic memories. It also describes how to integrate specific EMDR-related interventions with other psychotherapeutic treatments. Each intervention is examined in detail with accompanying transcripts, client drawings, and case studies illustrating the nuances and variations in intervention application. Bolstered by supporting theory and current research, the book also discusses how the concepts and vocabulary of other models of dissociation translate directly into EMDR's Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) language.

New to the Second Edition:

Describes new strategies and refinements of standard methods for treatment of clients with complex emotional problems
Includes two completely new chapters, "Internal Healing Dialogue" and "Case Example: treating the problem of 'attachment to the perpetrator'"
Provides new case examples on childhood sexual abuse
Offers new sections on treating chronic defensive shame, the importance of "fast" vs "slow" thinking processes, and new applications of "Loving Eyes" procedures

Key Features:
Written by an EMDRIA-designated "Master Clinician"
Delivers successful treatments alternatives for difficult-to-treat clients
Provides a theoretical framework to guide assessment and treatment of clients with complex PTSD
Includes specific AIP tools, verbatim therapy scripts, client drawings, and case studies
Discusses each intervention in detail, illustrating the nuances and variation in different applications

Genres: Psychology, Counselling, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Professional Development

328 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most helpful EMDR related book I have read to date. Should be required reading for all EMDR-trained therapists!

[Bradley the social worker · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a new EMDR therapist, I found this book incredibly helpful in validating that traditional, single-incident EMDR does not work for most clients, especially those with complex trauma. Knipe provides many tools to help clients establish safety and get to a place where they can actively process disturbing events with bilateral stimulation. Borrowing from IFS and ego-state therapy, Knipe explores the complexity of the human psyche and why we do the things we do. His toolkit provides an opportunity for discovery and making the treatment model work for the client (as opposed to vice versa).

[Bethany Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m literally trying not to highlight this entire book. It seems like every line holds important truth and useful information. I’ve been treating and studying PTSD for years and decided to read this to deepen my EMDR practice… it’s knocking my socks off! I’m learning new things left and right from this book. Incredible. So, so good! Get the book!

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so easy to read, I read it like fiction. Well written and very useful in terms of helpful EMDR interventions.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that gives you a different look in how to handle some difficult trauma cases. The author goes into great detail and transcribes actual sessions which I appreciate and make it more real!

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any EMDR therapist. His explanations of various tools, interventions, and interweaves is fantastic and so helpful, and his case studies are also extremely valuable.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful book. This helped me get a much better handle on the scope of EMDR. I already feel more adaptive and helpful in my practice after a few days using techniques outlined here.

[Jillybb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for handouts for patients.

[Caleb Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is integral for any EMDR therapist who wants to propel their knowledge of EMDR and better help their clients. So happy I read it.

[Priscilla Arinze · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book was a little to technical for my taste, I appreciate how insightful it is and how it was able to intertwine the IFS modality with EMDR.

[BrekkfastAtTiffanys]

Read as a supplement to completing EMDR training

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for any EMDR clinician and any clinician whose clients have complex PTSD/developmental trauma. The techniques in this book are practical, easy to learn and effective! I attended a two-day training with the author while reading the book; since then, I've been using the techniques in this book almost daily. I've witnessed meaningful shifts in how my clients think and feel about themselves, their relationships and their experiences. Excellent, excellent resource!