Screening and/or assessment for dissociative symptoms is essential prior to implementation of desensitization and reprocessing of past or recent traumatic memory material. However, many clinicians find their use of the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES)and other commonly used tools to be “clunky” or ineffective, and either miss the point of the screening process or find it detracts from the goal and focus of their intervention and the client’s treatment needs. An array of available screening and assessment tools will be reviewed to allow participants to assess what may fit their setting, expertise, presenting issue, the person’s known history of symptoms and treatment, and the scope or duration of treatment that the client is explicitly seeking. When the ‘right sized’ tool is selected, appropriate implementation is the next step. This presentation will supply the opportunity for participants to refine and deepen their skills in determining levels of readiness for EMDR therapy in non-standard contexts. Discussion will include tips regarding how to use screening tools most effectively and efficiently alongside information gathered from the client and/or collateral contacts to determine whether or how itis safe to proceed with any EMDR intervention or protocol.

*Disclaimer: Please note this video contains difficult subject matters related to trauma.