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The MET(T)A Protocol: Mindfulness and EMDR Treatment Template for Agencies.

Stephen Dansiger, Roshni Chabra, Lauren Emmel, Justine Kovacs

Substance Abuse December 1, 2020 DOI: 10.1177/1178221820977483 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Interventions Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy Mindfulness Ethical mindfulness practices MET(T)A Protocol
Topics Meditation PTSD
Keywords Trauma Substance use disorders Buddhist psychology Emdr therapy Metta protocol
Key points Argues that a trauma-focused approach is needed to treat substance use disorders and proposes the MET(T)A Protocol, which integrates mindfulness and ethical mindfulness practices with the 8 phases of EMDR therapy, as a primary psychotherapy for SUDs. The authors describe the protocol's procedures and provide clinical examples, contending it warrants further study.

Abstract

Evidence indicating the relationship between trauma and substance use disorders (SUDs), in addition to relapse and treatment retention rates for this population, suggests there is a need for a trauma-focused solution to treat SUDs. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been studied extensively as an effective approach for treating trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The research evaluating its treatment for other mental health disorders such as SUDs is promising. Merging mindfulness and ethical mindfulness practices with EMDR therapy lends additional evidence-based elements to make the case for this integrative system of treatment to be studied as a trauma-focused primary psychotherapy to treat SUDs. The resulting treatment, the MET(T)A Protocol (Mindfulness and EMDR Treatment Template for Agencies), has been created to address the need for a trauma-focused solution to treat SUDs. Procedures of the MET(T)A Protocol as applied in each of the 8 phases of EMDR therapy are described in detail. Clinical examples are provided to explain the application of the MET(T)A Protocol.

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