Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Podcast- A Polyvagal Theory Informed Therapy - Episode 23- Impact of screen time on the developing brain - Drs Rachael Sharman and Michael Nagel

Episode 23- Impact of screen time on the developing brain - Drs Rachael Sharman and Michael Nagel

07/22/22 • 84 min

Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Podcast- A Polyvagal Theory Informed Therapy

Please enjoy this interesting discussion about the impact of screen time on the developing brain. I am speaking with Doctors Rachael Sharman and Michael Nagel from the school of Psychology at Sunshine Coast University QLD Australia about their new book Becoming Autistic- How technology is altering the minds of the next generation.
We discuss research about the impact of screen time on attention processing, empathy, "Group Think", body image, mental health, and suicide. We also cover the impact of screen time on developing "Theory of Mind"; dopamine and addiction behavior, and a new concept gaining momentum..... "virtual autism"
My goal for today's conversation is to help increase awareness about the impact of screen time and support for parents, individuals, and communities in starting a conversation about establishing screen time guidelines.
I appreciate the book title is a discussion point in itself! But the content is thought-provoking. Please consider being open to listening before drawing conclusions.
Some of the discussion points you will hear about include:

Why name the book "Becoming Autistic" ....what evidence supports this relationship with screen time?
What is "Virtual Autism?"
How the brain is an experience-dependent organ and develops based on interaction with the environment.....consider the ramifications if that environment is predominately online!
Learn in a very accessible way how the researchers discuss brain development and the impact of screen time
Adolescence is a period of significant brain rewiring....what is actually happening and how screen time impacting this?
Developing "Theory of Mind" is crucial to developing so many human traits such as empathy or the awareness that other people have different points of view......how is this being impacted by screen time?
Self-confidence, body image, interpersonal skills and the impact of social media
Michael shares research that helps empower parents about setting boundaries for device use
What is the Echo Chamber effect?
Internet addiction and cyberbullying
Evidence showing that time in nature helps reverse autistic-like behaviour

I am sure you all agree that the evidence shows a significant impact of screen time on mental health, brain maturation, and physical development. We know that the technology is here to stay but the evidence indicates we need to establish guidelines about its use. There are so many aspects of this discussion we can unpack from a Polyvagal perspective. Just one I will mention today, but will discuss further in another episode, is self-regulation. We as humans develop neural systems for self-regulation via coregulation with a safe other. It is the experience of being engaged and connected with another safe human that builds the neural networks for self-regulation. Engaging with devices blocks this process.
To purchase- access via amazon or other retailers.
Links to Rachael and Michael's research pages:
Rachael Sharman, PhD
Senior Lecturer
Web page: https://www.usc.edu.au/staff-repository/dr-rachael-sharman
Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rachael_Sharman?ev=hdr_xprf

Michael C Nagel, PhD
Associate Professor
[email protected]
https://www.usc.edu.au/staff/associate-professor-michael-nagel

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Why name the book "Becoming Autistic" ....what evidence supports this relationship with screen time?
What is "Virtual Autism?"
How the brain is an experience-dependent organ and develops based on interaction with the environment.....consider the ramifications if that environment is predominately online!
Learn in a very accessible way how the researchers discuss brain development and the impact of screen time
Adolescence is a period of significant brain rewiring....what is actually happening and how screen time impacting this?
Developing "Theory of Mind" is crucial to developing so many human traits such as empathy or the awareness that other people have different points of view......how is this being impacted by screen time?
Self-confidence, body image, interpersonal skills and the impact of social media
Michael shares research that helps empower parents about setting boundaries for device use
What is the Echo Chamber effect?
Internet addiction and cyberbullying
Evidence showing that time in nature helps reverse autistic-like behaviour

Michael C Nagel, PhD
Associate Professor
[email protected]
https://www.usc.edu.au/staff/associate-professor-michael-nagel

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Previous Episode

Episode 21- EMDR, Polyvagal Theory and SSP for Trauma - Panel discussion with EMDR Experts

Welcome everyone to episode 21.
I am so happy to be revisiting the topic of EMDR in today's episode. I last spoke about EMDR in episode number 14 and it is by far the most popular.
So my goal for today is to help listeners, both practitioner and layperson, learn more about the evidence-based EMDR therapy as well as discover how an integrated EMDR/SSP approach may offer an optimal pathway to wellness.
In today's episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with 3 amazing clinicians, Jill Hosey, Eliza Fernandes, and Laurie Belanger, all EMDRIA Approved Consultants. Jill, Eliza, and Laurie are part of a Unyte EMDR think tank for developing guidelines about implementing the SSP within the EMDR therapy approach. Other members of the team who were unable to attend include Nicole Black and Marshall Lyles, both also EMDRIA Approved Consultants.
You will gain a deeper knowledge of EMDR therapy in trauma, the Polyvagal Theory connection, and implementation of the SSP acoustic intervention. Each practitioner shares their passion for supporting their client's journey to wellbeing using an integrated approach of both Safe and Sound Protocol and EMDR therapy.
Before we start a little about my guests-
Jillian Hosey is a Clinical Social Worker and Trauma Therapist who is a founding partner of Healing Therapy Alliance (HTA) and the PsychoSomatic Trauma Initiative in Toronto. She is Course Director, York University, School of Social Work

Laurie M Belanger has been providing services as a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist and is from East Amherst NY.

With her degree in Social Work, Eliza Fernandes has been providing psychotherapy services in Toronto, Canada
Please see below for contact information for each Unyte-EMDR team member.
Some Key Points to listen out for:
What is EMDR therapy- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Current understanding of the role of Bilateral Stimulation- (REM- during sleep; Orienting Response; Parasympathetic system; Working Memory)
EMDR is a memory processing therapy- putting the past in the past
How traumatic memories are stored in the brain
The Adaptive Information processing model
Current symptoms are manifestations of past difficult experiences
EMDR & Polyvagal Theory- PVT provides the bottom-up understanding of how the "body needs to feel safe"
Implementing SSP in the EMDR triphasic approach to trauma
SSP effective in the Preparatory/Stabilization Phase
SSP as a stabilizing resource to help get to the more difficult processing
SSP as a diagnostic tool to help assess "Affect Tolerance"
SSP builds positive affect in preparation for memory processing
SSP during Phase 8 to consolidate gains
SSP Guidelines for EMDR practitioners- set of recommendations and considerations for EMDR therapists
Books and Resources recommendations- EMDR and Somatic Psychology; Neurobiological Foundations for EMDR Practice-(listen in for more great resources!)
I hope everyone enjoys this episode. Such a wonderful group.
To contact me the best email is [email protected] (yes, this is a different email, but it is my main working one so easier to monitor) I love to hear comments or feedback.
Please join our private FB group Safe and Sound Protocol Podcast- A polyvagal Informed Therapy for new learning opportunities and other information shared.
If you liked this episode it would be a great honor if you could share it with a colleague or friend.
Take care,
remember to breathe low, slow, and smile.

Contact Information:

Jill Hosey, [email protected]
Laurie Belanger, lbelangerlcs

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Next Episode

Episode 22- Polyvagal Theory and Yoga for Trauma with Dr Arielle Schwartz

Welcome to episode 22. I have the utmost pleasure of speaking with Dr Arielle Schwartz,
a licensed clinical psychologist located in Boulder, CO. Arielle offers training for therapists, maintains a private practice, and has passions for the outdoors, yoga, and writing. She is the developer of Resilience-Informed Therapy which applies research on trauma recovery to form a strength-based, trauma treatment model that includes Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic (body-centered) psychology, mindfulness-based therapies, and time-tested relational psychotherapy. Arielle has authored a number of books, but today we are focusing our discussion on her work connecting Polyvagal Theory with yoga practice.

Some of the topics or points you will hear in our discussion include:

Arielle's collaboration with Dr Porges
Applied Polyvagal Theory and Yoga Course available via the Polyvagal Institute
Arielle's personal experience with the iLs Focus System
Neuromodulation and yoga practice
"Less is More" the gentle input of yoga- felt sense of opening up and softening
Cervical tightness and forward positioning due to looking down at devices and screen time- impact vagal tone
Polyvagal speaks of the importance of co-regulation with a safe other but we need to be connected to our body...yoga provides that connection
Trauma and stress often create less flexible thinking- yoga facilitates flexibility in the body that fosters flexibility in the mind
Trauma and related conditions such as POTS and Dysautonomia- how yoga can help
Researcher- Jo Miller - facia release and vagal tone
Learn about the importance of our facial system connecting all internal organs, immune and endocrine systems
Psoas muscle= fight/flight muscle - often holds tension from trauma
Therapeutic yoga for trauma- release and unwind held defensive tension with safety
Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery: Applying the Principles of Polyvagal Theory for Self-Discovery, Embodied Healing, and Meaningful Change
New book by Arielle EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology: Interventions to Enhance Embodiment in Trauma Treatment

I hope everyone enjoyed this lovely discussion with Arielle. I feel even more inspired to hit the mat!
To find out more about Arielle's work I will include links to her website in the show notes and our Safe and Sound Protocol Podcast FB page. You can find a link to order her book Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery: Applying the Principles of Polyvagal Theory for Self-Discovery, Embodied Healing, and Meaningful Change on the Safe and Sound Protocol FB page too.
If you liked this episode please share it with a friend, family member, or colleague.
Link to Arielle's Website- https://drarielleschwartz.com/
Breathe slow and low,
Joanne

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