Emotional Resolution Therapy for Anxiety

(CalmER Trial)

Overseen By Summer Mengelkoch, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

Must not be taking: Beta blockers, Benzodiazepines

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Not fluent English, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 9 weeks

150 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether Emotional Resolution (EmRes) therapy can reduce anxiety levels in healthcare workers more effectively than mindfulness-based gratitude exercises. Participants will attend six one-hour sessions over nine weeks, with follow-up assessments to evaluate treatment effectiveness. It targets hospital healthcare workers who experience anxiety and are not currently taking anxiety medication.

As an unphased trial, this study provides healthcare workers the chance to explore innovative therapies for managing anxiety.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are currently taking anxiety medications like Beta Blockers or Benzodiazepines, you cannot participate in this trial.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that Emotional Resolution (EmRes) therapy helps people manage emotions like anxiety and depression by focusing on bodily sensations. This method, known as viscerosomatic quieting, connects the body and mind to address emotional issues. Although specific data on the safety of EmRes is limited, its non-invasive, medication-free nature suggests it is generally safe.

In contrast, mindfulness practices, which this study compares, have a strong safety record. Studies have found that mindfulness-based methods can reduce anxiety and depression without serious side effects. These practices involve concentrating on the present moment to enhance mental well-being.

Both treatments in this study use natural, non-drug approaches to help manage anxiety with minimal risks. However, discussing any concerns with healthcare professionals before joining a trial is always important. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike standard anxiety treatments that often rely on medication or traditional talk therapy, Emotional Resolution Therapy (EmRes) offers a unique approach by focusing on resolving emotional responses at their root. This method aims to help individuals process and integrate unresolved emotional experiences, potentially leading to more lasting changes. Researchers are excited about EmRes because it offers a non-pharmacological option that can be conducted remotely, making it more accessible and convenient for participants. The therapy's structured approach, spread across six sessions via Zoom, also emphasizes personal empowerment and practical emotional management skills.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing anxiety?

Research has shown that Emotional Resolution (EmRes) therapy, one of the treatments under study in this trial, can help reduce anxiety. Studies have found that EmRes enables people to understand the root of their emotions, leading to fewer anxiety symptoms. Participants using EmRes have reported feeling clearer about their emotions and experiencing less anxiety. In one case study, a person no longer met the criteria for generalized anxiety disorder after four months of EmRes therapy. EmRes works through a process called viscero-somatic quieting, which helps the body handle past trauma and emotional issues. ^{1 2 4 5 6}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for healthcare workers over 18 who are fluent in English and currently work in a hospital. They should have a Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) score of more than 5, indicating some level of anxiety, and must be able to give written consent to participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Must be able to provide written informed consent

Must be fluent in English

Must be a current healthcare worker in a hospital

Exclusion Criteria

Unable to provide written informed consent

Not working as a healthcare worker in a hospital

GAD score < 5

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive either Emotional Resolution therapy or mindfulness-based gratitude intervention over six one-hour sessions via Zoom

9 weeks

6 sessions (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in anxiety, stress, and burnout levels after treatment

18 weeks

2 assessments (virtual)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• EmRes
• Mindfulness

Trial Overview The study is testing the effectiveness of Emotional Resolution (EmRes) therapy compared with mindfulness-based gratitude practices in reducing anxiety among healthcare workers.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: EmRes Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

There will be six, one hour, treatment sessions across nine weeks of an Emotional Resolution therapy intervention program, a post treatment assessment, and a follow up assessment three months later. The sessions will occur over zoom with a trained emotional resolution coach.

Group II: Mindfulness Active Control 1 Intervention

There will be six, one hour, treatment sessions across nine weeks of a mindfulness intervention program, a post treatment assessment, and a follow up assessment three months later. The sessions will occur over zoom with a trained member of the study staff.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of California, Los Angeles

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,594

Recruited

10,430,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 17 patients with anxiety and depressive disorders, lower levels of expressive suppression (ES) before undergoing the unified protocol (UP) for cognitive behavioral therapy were linked to greater improvements in anxiety symptoms after treatment.

The results suggest that addressing and improving ES could enhance the effectiveness of the UP, indicating that emotion regulation plays a crucial role in therapy outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Expressive suppression of emotion is a moderator of anxiety in a unified protocol for transdiagnostic treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders: A secondary analysis. Hosogoshi, H., Takebayashi, Y., Ito, M., et al.[2021]

Psychotherapy, particularly through methods like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), can effectively alter emotional distress by activating internal healing processes, especially in conditions like PTSD.

The anterior cingulate cortex is identified as a key brain region involved in the neurobiological mechanisms of psychotherapeutic relief, suggesting that targeted emotional processing can lead to significant improvements in mental health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Psychotherapy as assisted homeostasis: activation of emotional processing mediated by the anterior cingulate cortex. Corrigan, FM.[2004]

In a pilot study with 50 participants, an advanced version of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) significantly reduced both perceived anxiety and state-trait anxiety scores in the experimental group after just one 1-2 hour session.

Participants in the experimental group also showed improved physical performance under anxiety, indicating that the advanced EMDR not only helps in reducing anxiety but may also enhance functioning in stressful situations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing anxiety and enhancing physical performance by using an advanced version of EMDR: a pilot study. Rathschlag, M., Memmert, D.[2022]

Recent studies show that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can effectively eliminate PTSD symptoms in 84 to 100% of single-trauma victims after just three 90-minute sessions, highlighting its rapid efficacy.

The article emphasizes the importance of adhering to specific EMDR protocols and procedures, as misconceptions about the treatment's reliance on eye movements can undermine its clinical validity and effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the anxiety disorders: clinical and research implications of an integrated psychotherapy treatment. Shapiro, F.[2022]

An integrative approach combining Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (PP) offers a new effective method for treating anxiety disorders by focusing on processing and transforming repressed emotions.

The proposed treatment involves three phases: initiating treatment, working through anxiety, and termination, emphasizing emotional processing and insight into personal conflicts rather than traditional exposure to anxiety-inducing situations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treating anxiety disorders by emotion-focused psychodynamic psychotherapy (EFPP)-An integrative, transdiagnostic approach. Beutel, ME., Greenberg, L., Lane, RD., et al.[2019]

Emotion dysregulation is commonly seen in trauma-related disorders and can significantly impact the effectiveness of therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is well-supported for treating PTSD.

Understanding specific patterns of emotion dysregulation can help tailor EMDR treatment to individual patients, suggesting that therapy should adapt to the predominant emotion-regulation strategies present in various posttraumatic disorders.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating neurobiology of emotion regulation and trauma therapy: reflections on EMDR therapy. González, A., Del Río-Casanova, L., Justo-Alonso, A.[2018]

In a study with 41 undergraduate students experiencing test anxiety, those who underwent Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) with eye movements reported significantly lower anxiety levels compared to those who did not use eye movements.

All participants showed a decrease in anxiety regardless of the treatment condition, indicating that EMDR may be effective for reducing anxiety symptoms, but the eye movement component appears to enhance this effect.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in the treatment of test anxiety: a study of the effects of expectancy and eye movement. Gosselin, P., Matthews, WJ.[2019]

In a study involving 26 children with spider phobia, exposure in vivo was found to be the most effective treatment, leading to significant improvements in self-reported fear and behavioral avoidance after just 2.5 hours.

While EMDR showed some effectiveness in reducing self-reported fear, it did not enhance the outcomes of subsequent exposure therapy, indicating that traditional exposure methods are preferable for treating childhood spider phobia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Treating phobic children: effects of EMDR versus exposure. Muris, P., Merckelbach, H., Holdrinet, I., et al.[2019]

The author transformed from a follower of liberal psychoanalysis to a therapist by successfully applying in vivo desensitization techniques on himself to overcome his social and performance anxiety.

He developed rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), a foundational form of cognitive-behavior therapy, which he integrated with emotional-evocative methods to address criticism of his active-directive approach.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Why I (really) became a therapist. Ellis, A.[2005]

In a study involving 12 clients, resolution sessions where clients vividly described problematic situations led to higher emotional arousal and differentiation of feelings compared to non-resolution sessions.

Clients reported an immediate change in mood following these vivid descriptions, suggesting that detailed narrative can enhance emotional processing and support therapeutic outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The relationship between vivid description, emotional arousal, and in-session resolution of problematic reactions. Watson, JC.[2019]

Therapeutic tapping, which combines acupressure with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), has been shown to effectively reduce anxiety symptoms after just one session, indicating its potential as a quick intervention.

The study found that tapping specifically reduced neural responses to angry stimuli, suggesting it may help improve emotion regulation in anxiety patients, while a control intervention (Progressive Muscle Relaxation) primarily affected responses to fearful stimuli.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How Therapeutic Tapping Can Alter Neural Correlates of Emotional Prosody Processing in Anxiety. König, N., Steber, S., Seebacher, J., et al.[2020]

Citations

1. somaticquieting.com somaticquieting.com/conference/CALPCC-2023-10-13-handout.pdf

case study for somatic quieting The study looks at a client who after four months no longer met the criteria for major depressive and generalized anxiety disorders, as diagnosed at the outset ...

2. cedricbertelli.com cedricbertelli.com/

Emotional Resolution with Cedric Bertelli Emotional Resolution (EmRes) uses viscero-somatic quieting to connect to the origin of emotions and resolve issues like anxiety, depression, and anger.

3. emotionalhealthinstitute.org emotionalhealthinstitute.org/emotional-resolution

What Is EmRes? EmRes uses viscero-somatic quieting to help the body integrate past trauma, connect to the origin of difficult emotions, and update outdated predictions.

4. medium.com medium.com/emres/the-efficacy-of-emotional-resolution-emres-in-addressing-debilitating-emotional-patterns-a-1860ab11bd13

The Efficacy of Emotional Resolution® (EmRes®) in ... Through the EmRes process, individuals report greater emotional clarity and a reduction in symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, and ...

5. journal.cqaedu.com journal.cqaedu.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/02-Quantum-Science-Approach-to-Emotional-Resolution-in-the-Vital-Energy-Body-By-Gayathri-Shylesh-1.pdf

Quantum Science Approach to Emotional Resolution ... - Journal This study spotlights viscerosomatic quieting, as an approach to help resolve acute emotional difficulties in depression, anxiety, panic attacks, delusional ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8276649/

Somatic experiencing – effectiveness and key factors of a ... Results: Findings provide preliminary evidence for positive effects of SE on PTSD-related symptoms. Moreover, initial evidence suggests that SE ...