“Integrating Yoga Therapy Techniques in EMDR: Meditation” introduces a pioneering approach to safely and effectively incorporate meditation into phases 3, 5, and 7 of the EMDR process. It addresses a common challenge experienced by therapists and clients: discomfort during or after EMDR sessions, typically arising when disturbing material emerges in Phase 4. By strategically integrating specific meditation techniques aimed at fostering cognitive defusion and enhancing neuroplasticity, therapists can effectively address such challenges intrinsic to the EMDR process. Drawing on the neuroscience of meditation and Polyvagal Theory, the course provides a rationale for creating a safe and accessible meditation experience for beginners, especially for highly sensitive trauma clients who may struggle with interoception. Koshic Theory serves as a holistic assessment tool for selecting and tailoring interventions to each client’s unique needs. By the end, participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of when, how, and when not to employ meditation within the EMDR process through a blend of theory, experiential learning, and practical application.
Course Format:
Self-paced online learning with approximately three hours of video instruction, demonstrations, and guided practices. You have one year to complete the course.
CE Credit:
3 CT-NASW CECs
This program has been approved for Continuing Education Credit Hours by the National Association of Social Workers, CT and meets the continuing education criteria for CT Social Work Licensure renewal. Approval also meets the continuing
education criteria for CT LMSWs, LMFTs, LPCs, and licensed psychologists.
Tuition:
$49. Course content is available for one year after purchase.
Instructor:
Christine Saari, MA, C-IAYT with contributions from Rachel Dash-Dougherty, LCSW, RYT-200
About Your Instructors
Christine Saari, MA, C-IAYT
Director, ClinicAlly Trained™ | Co-Founder, Yoga Therapy Associates
Christine Saari, MA, C-IAYT, is an author, educator, and yoga therapist dedicated to bridging yoga therapy and mental health care. As Director of ClinicAlly Trained™, she develops specialized continuing education and yoga teacher training programs for clinicians who want to integrate evidence-based somatic and breath-based interventions into therapy practice.
Christine’s clinical background centers on supporting individuals living with anxiety, trauma, depression, and cancer. As a breast cancer survivor, she brings lived experience and clinical expertise together with genuine compassion, recognizing both the depth of suffering people carry and the practical tools that support real healing.
As co-founder of Yoga Therapy Associates and ClinicAlly Trained™, Christine envisions a professional platform where yoga therapy and behavioral health meet. Her work emphasizes elevating best practices, strengthening ethical standards, and ensuring that yoga therapy is represented with the same rigor and accountability expected in clinical disciplines.
Through a partnership between Yoga Therapy Associates and the Held Center for Healing, Christine helped develop the EMbody Trauma Recovery Program, an IOP alternative for individuals recovering from addiction and trauma that combines EMDR and yoga therapy. She has also presented multiple times at Smilow Cancer Center at Yale New Haven Hospital on yoga therapy for emotional and physical recovery. In addition, she provides continuing education for DMHAS, the Connecticut Women’s Consortium, and EMDRIA’s national webinar catalog, teaching clinicians how to integrate yoga therapy and breathwork into trauma treatment.
Christine’s writing and teaching reflect a deep commitment to professionalizing yoga therapy, making it accessible, research-informed, and relevant to the realities of modern clinical practice.
Learn more about Christine’s work at www.yogatherapyassociates.com/about/christine-yoga-therapist and explore her specialized programs for therapists at www.clinicallytrained.com.
Rachel Dash-Dougherty, LCSW, RYT-200
Rachel is a seasoned talk therapist with over 14 years of experience, serving clients through her private practice at The Grounded Therapist in East Lyme, CT. Driven by a passion for holistic healing and mental wellness, Rachel specializes in anxiety, eating disorders, and women’s issues. She recognizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in the healing process and integrates cutting-edge therapeutic approaches into her practice. Rachel is deeply passionate about yoga therapeutics and its transformative potential in mental health treatment. She incorporates yoga-based techniques such as mindfulness, breathwork, and somatic awareness into her sessions. Rachel collaborates with Yoga Therapy Associates to provide continuing education.