What is ASSYST?

ASSYST is a single-session, evidence-based approach designed to help people who are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or distressed due to recent or ongoing challenges like caregiving, divorce, work stress, grief, or illness. Think of it as psychological first aid that helps lower stress and stabilize emotions without needing to share personal details about the situation.This approach is AIP-informed, meaning it stems from the same lens as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and focuses on how the brain processes and stores information.

 

How does it help?

Research shows that ASSYST can lead to significant reductions in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms following the treatment.

ASSYST can be done individually or in a group setting, such as during a retreat, offering flexibility to meet different needs.

 

What to expect:

Participants are given psychoeducation about stress and the body. During the session, participants simply rate their level of distress on a 0-10 scale as the process unfolds. If the session is online, cameras must stay on, and for children, a parent should be nearby for support (though not necessarily in the room).

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• Learn how stress impacts mental health and ways to manage it.

• Practice grounding techniques to calm the body.

• Use the Butterfly Hug technique as part of the ASSYST protocol to reduce the stress response linked to the upsetting event.