The 90 min session for EMDR is standard. The reason is to allow that grounding time before you leave. EMDR is very tough work. But WOW can it work!!!!

T will know how to let you bring up one specific event or feeling that is currently triggering you the most. Then you let T know how it makes you feel about yourself. T will guide you through the emotions and memories. Do not force it at all. Just allow whatever it is to come out honestly.

T will do the work to keep the train on the track and not follow too many side roads. They record those side roads and you can visit them at a following session.

Then T will do things to help guide you into transforming the negative cognition you stated into a positive one. For example, if the negative is "I am powerless," T will have you decide on the positive you want to be the reality such as "I am able to stand up for myself."

T will end the session with the grounding activities. The first part of the EMDR work is supposed to be having the client establish their special safe place. This is a place where your mind goes at the end of EMDR to ground. Mine is a special spot on the beach. We have a locked chest there that we put in it all the unresolved bad things that may have come up that we did not get to clear that session. I put the thoughts in that chest and lock it up then toss it into the ocean where it is guarded by sharks. I do not get anything out of the chest durring the week. If the bad stuff tries to come back up, I see it going back into the chest. The next EMDR session my T goes into the water for me and retrieves the chest. He open it together and I take out what I need to work on for that session.

After we have everything put away, my T plays me relaxing ocean sounds. He makes sure I am safe to drive and if I am still a little ungrounded, he invites me to sit in his waiting room until I am safe and for me to know he is right there.

It is very brave of you to start this work for healing.