Nervous System Regulation Intervention and Program
This Program consists of one live ASSYST Protocol Intervention either in person or online and a 7 Day Program accessible through the GetHealthie App.
We offer this program monthly. Check www.zenandhealth.net/Events for information about upcoming sessions and to sign up.
Why are we offering this Intervention?
Many of us will experience at least one significant, negative life event that leaves us feeling scared, threatened, and in distress. We may call this trauma, critical incidents, or adverse experiences. These events tell your mind and body to protect you through your fight, flight, or freeze response. Afterwards, it can be incredibly difficult for your body to return to a state of relaxation or calm. It can take up to 4-8 weeks for those residual traumatic stress symptoms to subside on their own. These symptoms may include sudden and unwelcomed flashbacks, nightmares, unpleasant emotions, or suddenly feeling as if it were happening again. Sometimes, those symptoms struggle to go away on their own. This can lead to the development of Acute Stress Disorder or Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. With the use of the
ASSYST, we can promote healing in the mind and body to immediately reduce distressing symptoms right after a traumatic event and help prevent the development of stress disorders.
Overview
The ASSYST (Acute Stress Syndrome Stabilization) is an evidence-based protocol, created by Dr. Ignacio Jarero, effective for individuals and groups that have experienced a traumatic event. This procedure can be done in person and online. It can also be used with individuals anticipating a potentially traumatic event, such as impending war. It is ideally done within days of the event but it can be done at later times as well. With its roots in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), it uses Bilateral Stimulation to help the brain begin the healing process it may be struggling to do on its own. You should be feeling much more calm and relaxed by the end of the protocol. And it usually takes less than an hour!
What will happen during the Intervention?
The therapist will usually follow a script to ensure they follow the protocol properly for treatment fidelity. They will help you recognize how distress is being held in your mind and body. This may include sensory input (such as not being able to forget the sounds or smells experienced) or through a memory (a specific part of the event). The therapist will then use Bilateral Stimulation to help your brain process the event better, which reduces your distress! They will regularly check in on how you are feeling and can give feedback for additional ways to reduce your distress throughout the process. Your therapist will also help ensure you have follow up care with a licensed clinician to continue to process the event.
Who can Benefit
The ASSYST is designed and researched to be effective with individuals who are currently experiencing significant distress related to a critical incident or adverse experience. These experiences may include a car crash, community violence, domestic violence, or incidents at higher risk jobs, such as first responders. You may be struggling to go to work/school or engage with those around you. It may disrupt your sleep and lead you to feel on edge all of the time. The great news, however, is that this protocol works! Maribel M. Dugas, LCSW and the Therapists at Zen and Health can help you in the immediate aftermath of a crisis situation using this ASSYST protocol. It can be done within hours of a traumatic event or even up to months later!