Acute Stress Syndrome Stabilization (ASSYST)
ASSYST is a one time session used with clients experiencing high levels of distress due to recent or present adverse experiences such as COVID, divorce, work stress, or illness. Considered psychological first aid, it is a desensitization and stabilization protocol where it decreases the level of anxiety, overwhelm, burnout, or upsetting thoughts. ASSYST is based on EMDR principles and is therapeutic, but is not considered a therapy.
ASSYST is suitable for adults or children and is delivered online or in-person individually or in a group setting. Participants will not need to disclose details of their upset, only the level of disturbance on a scale of 0-10 throughout the workshop.
Cameras are required to be on at all times if participating online. Parents must be nearby in case their child needs support, however parents are not required to be in the room.
This distress reducing protocol is a result of Dr. Jarero's evidence-based research, where he has shown the effectiveness in online, in-person, and group settings. Please see the research references below.
Participants will:
-Learn about the stress response and how it affects mental health in the short and long term.
-Gain basic grounding techniques to help calm the body.
-Participate in the ASSYST protocol using the Butterfly Hug to reduce the stress response linked to the stressful situation.
◦Smyth-Dent, K., Becker, Y., Burns, E., & Givaudan, M. (2021). The Acute Stress Syndrome Stabilization Remote Individual (ASSYST-RI) for TeleMental Health Counseling After Adverse Experiences.Psychology and Behavioral Therapy International Journal, 16(2),1-7.
◦Becker, Y., Estévez, M.E., Pérez, M.C., Osorio, A., Jarero, I., & Givaudan, M. (2021)Longitudinal Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial on the Provision of the Acute Stress Syndrome Stabilization Remote for Groups to General Population in Lockdown During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Psychology and Behavioral Science International Journal, 16(2),1-11