Two weeks ago, I didn’t know what the ASSYST protocol was. Being a passionate learner, I enrolled in a training by the brilliant Dr. Ignacio in Tennessee. Before I took this training as a counselor, I was only vaguely familiar that this was something considered advanced training. In the process of working toward my EMDR certification, I’ve met many brilliant EMDR consultants and trainers who have shaped and guided my journey through EMDR learning. I sat through two full days of this training with Dr. Ignacio, presented through Scaling Up, and it totally blew my mind.

According to Dr. Ignacio (“Nacho”), who is a front-liner with TRN (Trauma Relief Network) in the fight against healing unprocessed trauma in the world, Dr. Ignacio and his wife Lucy developed this technique named ASSYST and EMDR PRECI, which was later endorsed by the founder of EMDR, Dr. Francine Shapiro.

Let me help you understand what ASSYST accomplishes. ASSYST is an Acute Trauma Treatment protocol, which helps stabilize a victim’s symptoms after they’ve experienced a critical incident or recent trauma. When trauma happens, the limbic system (the emotional brain) gets activated and a pathogenic memory is created as a result. Dr. Ignacio describes a pathogenic memory as raw, unprocessed, and isolated. In an effort to prevent the development of acute symptoms, ASSYST is administered to victims of recent trauma and ongoing stress to help with memory consolidation — the intention being that these unprocessed memories don’t develop into more severe symptomology.

ASSYST has many other uses. It can be used for stabilization of recent trauma, and to help with intrusive symptoms of trauma. Additionally, ASSYST can be used as a precursor to EMDR therapy. One of its most frequent applications is through TRN’s relief efforts in different war-torn countries and areas affected by recent natural disasters. Most often, survivors are in a state of shock, and many go on to develop acute symptomology. With the help of this protocol, we’re able to help de-escalate the adverse symptomology and prevent the worsening of symptoms.

If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My email is hina@thehealinglighttherapy.com.