On-demand webinar
Unyte Health hosted three special guests in this Clinical Conversations webinar: Dr. Stephen Porges, originator of the Polyvagal Theory and creator of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP); Rebecca Kase, LCSW, Approved EMDR Consultant and Trainer; and Rotem Brayer, M.Ed., LPC, and Approved EMDR Consultant.
This session brought together leaders in Polyvagal Theory and EMDR as they discuss how the practical application of Polyvagal Theory — the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) — can work alongside the EMDR model to support safety and increase treatment readiness. You can expect to learn how EMDR functions within the context of Polyvagal Theory and examine how the therapeutic relationship looks between these two modalities.
We also dove into the autonomic nervous system, preparation hierarchy, building resilience and Phase 2 of EMDR. We explored questions like:
- What is Phase 2 and its role in the EMDR protocol?
- How can the SSP function as a gold standard of Phase 2?
- How does the SSP build resilience in the autonomic nervous system?
The SSP can help therapists develop a foundation of safety at the neurophysiological level, giving their clients greater capacity to engage in the healing process. This session will provide advice for therapists who are interested in Polyvagal-informed therapy and SSP adoption.
Visit this page on our website to learn more about how the SSP and EMDR can work together.
Dr. Stephen W. Porges
Originator of the Polyvagal Theory and creator of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. He served as president of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award. He is the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems. He is the creator of a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol ™ , which is used by more than 3,000 therapists to improve spontaneous social engagement, reduce hearing sensitivities, and improve language processing.
Rebecca Kase
LCSW, Approved EMDR Consultant and Trainer
Rebecca Kase, LCSW, is an EMDR consultant and trainer. She is the owner of Kase & CO Training and Consulting, an EMDR and trauma training company. She is also the author of Polyvagal informed EMDR: A Neuro-Informed Approach to Healing and the Applied Polyvagal Theory Flipchart. Rebecca facilitates EMDR training and advanced clinical training for psychotherapists. She is a keynote speaker and voice of inspiration, teaching others how to befriend their nervous system and how to be humble and brave.
Rotem Brayer
M.Ed., LPC, Approved EMDR Consultant
Rotem Brayer is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a specialty in trauma therapy. With a dedication to healing and a wealth of counseling experience, Rotem has gained recognition as a respected leader in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. As the founder of The EMDR Learning Community, Rotem has cultivated a nurturing environment where EMDR therapists come together to expand their knowledge and skills. Through this platform, he provides insights into EMDR therapy and its synergies with other therapeutic modalities, empowering clinicians to elevate their practice and foster profound change in their clients. In his private practice, Rotem treats individual clients, taking an “EMDR first” approach. Rotem is also the author of “The Art and Science of EMDR: Helping Clinicians Bridge The Path From Protocol to Practice,” a guide for clinicians seeking to deepen their understanding of EMDR and refine their therapeutic skills.
