Treating implicit trauma: a quasi-experimental study comparing the EMDR Therapy Standard Protocol with a ‘Blind 2 Therapist’ version within a trauma capacity building project in Northern Iraq

Psychological trauma is a silent epidemic which presents as a global public health issue, often in the form of post- traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is an empirically supported treatment intervention for PTSD and has been used as part of trauma-capacity building, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). For some survivor’s, their trauma experiences cannot be spoken of: they may be alluded to, suggested and though not directly expressed. There are several factors as to why these implicit trauma experiences are ‘unspoken’, for example, when the trauma involves a deep-rooted sense of shame or guilt, a distorted sense of over-responsibility or when to speak of the trauma engenders fear of retribution, reprisal and consequence. This paper will explore the effectiveness of using two protocol variations of EMDR Therapy—standard versus a ‘Blind 2 Therapist’ protocol version as part of a quasi-experimental study which took place in Northern Iraq. The study contains two projects and subsequently tested several hypotheses regarding safety, effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the ‘Blind 2 Therapist’ protocol within EMDR Therapy. Results indicated support for the B2T protocol intervention with various trauma populations including Yezidi survivors of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)—also known as Daesh

Escucha México, Estrategias gráficas y cultura auditiva. Primavera 2022

Durante Primavera 2022, el equipo de PAP Escucha México trabajó en diferentes proyectos con el objetivo de crear conciencia y sensibilizar sobre temáticas relacionadas a la cultura y discapacidad auditiva y el ruido excesivo en Guadalajara. A través de diferentes fuentes y medios de apoyo logramos transmitir la problemática a la comunidad, esto con el propósito de crecer el conocimiento que se tiene de la cultura auditiva. Los proyectos individuales que participan dentro del PAP son Cruzada Contra el Ruido, Clínica Mariana Anaya Doll, Iniciativa México Cubrebocas Transparente, Brankia, redes sociales del PAP Escucha México, Universidad Incluyente ITESO y la planeación del 4to Encuentro Internacional de Cultura Auditiva.Cada uno de estos se enfoca en temáticas diferentes sin embargo todos engloban las mencionadas al inicio.ITESO, A.C

Interactions Between Epilepsy and Plasticity

Undoubtedly, one of the most interesting topics in the field of neuroscience is the ability of the central nervous system to respond to different stimuli (normal or pathological) by modifying its structure and function, either transiently or permanently, by generating neural cells and new connections in a process known as neuroplasticity. According to the large amount of evidence reported in the literature, many stimuli, such as environmental pressures, changes in the internal dynamic steady state of the organism and even injuries or illnesses (e.g., epilepsy) may induce neuroplasticity. Epilepsy and neuroplasticity seem to be closely related, as the two processes could positively affect one another. Thus, in this review, we analysed some neuroplastic changes triggered in the hippocampus in response to seizure-induced neuronal damage and how these changes could lead to the establishment of temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common type of focal human epilepsy

The current status of EMDR therapy, specific target areas, and goals for the future

While eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is considered an evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults, there are differences as to how various international treatment guidelines judge the strength of this evidence base. Furthermore, in areas other than adult PTSD, major guidelines differ even more as to the strength of the evidence base and when to use EMDR. In 2019, the “Council of Scholars: the Future of EMDR Therapy Project” was initiated. Several working groups were established, with one assigned to the focus area “research.” This article is a product of that working group. Firstly the group concluded that there were five areas where there was some base that EMDR was effective but more data was needed to increase the likelihood that it would be considered in future international treatment guidelines. These areas were PTSD in children and adolescents, early EMDR interventions, combat PTSD, unipolar depression, and chronic pain. In addition, research into costeffectiveness of EMDR therapy was identified as one of the priorities. A hierarchical system was used for classifying and rating evidence in the focus areas. After assessing the 120 outcome studies pertaining to the focus areas we conclude that for two of the areas (i.e., PTSD in children and adolescents and EMDR early interventions research) the strength of the evidence is rated at the highest level, whereas the other areas obtain the second highest level. Some general recommendations for improving the quality of future research on the effectiveness of EMDR therapy are formulated