McKell and tulips30, it could be that your presenting problems don't require the specific techniques of ego state therapy or EMDR. Both of these are frequently used in trauma work, so maybe the shoe just doesn't fit. Or these specific techniques are not part of your therapist's toolbox. I think each T has their favorites that work for them in therapy. For example, when my T and I analyze dreams, we use the Gestalt dreamwork approach. But other T's may use other techniques for dream analysis.

My former T did not use any of these techniques. We were strictly talk therapy, chatting about the current problems I was facing and never going beneath the surface. She never asked about my childhood, relations with mother and father, etc. It was very behavior oriented--what concrete steps can I take in my life to make things better (e.g. expanding my circle of supportive friends and family, getting more sleep and exercise, etc.). After about 9 months with her, we ran out of steam because I wasn't progressing and I needed someone with a bigger toolset. So I found someone with a different approach.

I actually don't think I have seen all my T's techniques. I have mentioned here before my curiosity about some of the Shaman-like "tools" in his office. What does he do with that stuff? Once when I was having a hard time getting him to engage with me (I couldn't pull him away from his computer), I asked him what that brass receptacle was with the plush pillow-hearts in it (all different shapes and sizes). He invited me to hold one of the hearts and look at it, but he didn't explain anything! I held it the rest of the session, but didn't push the topic--I guess he will tell me someday when and if he wants to. When the time is right (if ever).

I think if what you are doing in therapy is working for you, then you may not need more eclectic techniques. The T will bring them out if he is capable, when the time is right. I bet if I had asked my former T (the behaviorist) about ego state therapy, she might have looked at me and said "whaaatt?" Or maybe she would have been dismissive.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
So far we are just trying to hold a detailed conversation with out me floating off.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">McKell, it is a huge accomplishment to be able to learn to do that!

McKell, in what context did your T mention an ego state?

Some cool parts I remember about ego state therapy: my T taught my executive self how to "rescue" my little girl ego state when she was in danger. Very healing. My T would ask me questions about my little girl ego state. What is she feeling? Can you tell her such and such? I would then relay her answers to him. "She says that she is scared because..." etc. My little girl never spoke directly to him, but relied on me to pass on her message. Sometimes he would speak directly to her, or sometimes use me as an intermediary. It was totally cool. If anyone doubts that this works, or thinks that it is all fantasy, you have only to experience the immediate knowledge of your little girl ego state answering the questions and you will know. My ego states sometimes make appearances in my dreams (this is what helped T initially identify my 5 year old girl ego state last year).

I was reading at a website last night about a type of family therapy that grew out of ego state therapy. It was really fascinating. It is called "The Internal Family Systems Model." They grouped the ego state like personas into 3 types: the managers, the exiles, and the firefighters. There is also an executive as in the ego state model, but they call it simply "the self."
http://www.selfleadership.org/ifsmodel.asp