Video 032 CIPOS or children

Use this solution

To access and safely treat:

·       During the preparation phase with children to reduce the intensity of disturbing memories and help overcome fears of traumatic memories.  It is used prior to commencing the standard EMDR protocol.

·     Children with a history of poor attachment. They can have a narrower window of tolerance and may require more intensive work with this protocol to achieve an appropriate level of resilience in order to be able to use EMDR for trauma processing.

Originator:

Eckers, D. (2010). The method of constant installation of present orientation and safety (CIPOS) for children. In M. Luber (Ed.) Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) scripted protocols: Special populations (pp. 51-58). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co

Video production

Matthew Davies Media Ltd, Llanidloes, Powys. www.matthewmedia.com

What this covers

This video demonstrates the use of Constant Installation of Present Orientation and safety (CIPOS) with Olivia, a child who had been in a car accident in which her father had been very badly injured.  Olivia had flashbacks about the accident and was reluctant to process the memories.

 

It shows how to install a strong basic feeling of security.  From this, the child focuses on the memory of a traumatic experience for a defined and controlled period of time.  Drawings that the child produced were used both for the safe place and the traumatic memory. Once completed, the child achieved a level of resilience needed to work with EMDR.

How long

11.34 minutes

Related videos

See Video 001, which demonstrates  CIPOS for adults.

Go to ‘Take-away’?

For Aide mémoire to use in a client session.

Take-Away Section

+ Wrap up

+ Aide Mémoire

Aide mémoire for the CIPOS adapted protocol for children (Eckers, 2009) You can copy and paste this text into a Word document, and can edit it, adding any additional text you might find helpful.

  1. Let the child draw or paint a picture of the disturbing memory (it is best not to ask for feelings or sensations at this point). Turn the drawing face down.

  2. Choose one of three ‘safety’ alternatives with the child:

    • identify a positive past experience
    • create a drawing of a safe place

    • engage in a physical game.

      Identify feelings and body sensations associated with their choice, Then install the good feelings with slow BLS.

  3. Turn the trauma memory drawing to face upwards for 3 seconds (count audibly backwards – child can join in this), turn it face down again. Praise the child for their courage.

  4. Repeat the positive safety alternative chosen and install the good feeling with slow BLS.
  5. Repeat the sequence of trauma memory exposure, positive safety alternative and installation two more times.
  6. Check how the child is feeling - “How does it feel now when you look at the drawing of the memory?”
  7. If the child indicates feeling safe, gradually increase exposure time to the drawing of the disturbing memory. Repeat point 6 above each time you extend exposure time. Pay close attention to how the child is reacting during installation with BLS.
  8. When you get to 10 seconds exposure or when you observe the child feels safe, try the EMDR protocol.
  9. If overwhelm persists, try putting distance between the child and the trauma memory by having them hold a soft toy and addressing questions to the toy rather than directly to the child.
ChildrenRichard Worthing-DaviesComment