[rainbow8]

This is a strange question, but has anyone who has done EMDR found it to be sexually arousing? I only did it a few times, and now my T wants to try again. I told her the above but she wants to do it anyway. Even if she doesn't tap on my knees, which we did once and it was a disaster, those buzzer thingies, the earphones-- the whole setup is somehow overstimulating.

[purple_fins]

I don't think your question is strange at all-- I think it's interesting.

I have also tried EMDR a couple times and I did NOT like it at all. I'm not sure why though......... felt way overly vulnerable, the therapist was too close physically... I think my mind went into protective mode.
I didn't get anything out of it... but anxiety.

wondering, how you could mentally explore why you interpret it as sexual.... hmmmmm....
the vulnerabilty of it?
the closeness of it?
the strong emotional feelings that are supposed to come from the process?...
any of that apply to you?...(just thought I'd try to help you in self exploration- you don't have to answer here..)

There are so so many different types of therapy... I say, if it doesn't help or even worse-- makes things worse, then one doesn't have to do it.
I had a T. once that wanted me to try hypnosis and I said -- "no way" and that was that-- he respected my stand on that.

I bet your T. would respect how you feel however that may be.

best to you and much luck with this if you go forth.

fins

[MASIMO]

Our EMDR sessions are intense. I dont think about the Therapist when we are doing it. I do like being close to him, but that's all. And, I'm one with definate sexual transference issues.

[rainbow8]

I told me T I am willing to do EMDR again next week. It's been months since we've done it.

purple_fins: I'm not sure why it seems sexual. Maybe all of those points you mentioned. It's intense.

MASIMO: I think it's the intensity. I sometimes confuse intensity with sexual feelings.

I feel safe with my T so I'm not scared about the process. In fact, I'm curious about it and about what will happen when we do it again. I feel better because I told her what I did. She's always so reassuring about everything.

[invisigirl]

I've only just started T, so I have no EMDR experience. I've heard about it, and it does sound rather daunting to me.. I can actually understand how it might provoke those sexual feelings. but, for me, any time I feel physically/emotionally close to someone (usually only with men), my mind automatically goes there. it's rather annoying.

[purple_fins]

Hey good luck next week, Rainbow.

hope you can get some healing from the process.

fins

[rainbow8]

Just want to report here for those reading here and not in the psychotherapy forum. I also would like to discuss EMDR with others who have gone through it. I just don't get it!

I didn't have any sexual reaction this time but my main reaction was that I wanted to smash the buzzer things and upset the whole setup! Later it came to me that I wished I could have held my T's hand instead (which we do sometimes). So my reaction during EMDR was about the EMDR process but it was productive. It told me how much I want the connection to my T and to others, and how I didn't have it the way I wanted in my childhood. The buzzer things were a barrier to the connection, especially touching, that I wanted and needed. Something was a barrier in my childhood too.

I never react to EMDR the way I think you're "supposed to", but my T says there's no right or wrong. It's not about specific trauma, so maybe that's why I get such different thoughts afterwards. It showed I was angry. Is this the kind of results you're supposed to get from EMDR? It stirs things up, doesn't make me feel better.

Has anyone experienced EMDR and had non-typical results, or are there no typical results? I need to so some reading on EMDR and reassure myself. Not that I don't believe T, but when she told me how wonderful I did, I was a bit skeptical.

[purple_fins]

Thanks so much for the update rainbow

I only have limited experience with EMDR-- 3 times, I think. so I'm sorry I can't answer your concerns.
I think the process, for one thing -- is supposed to get a person connected to the "stuffed" emotions.... sounds like that is what happened for you...?....

I commend you on your courage to try it again.
Yipes!-- I was so nervous with EMDR ..... I just don't ever want to do it again.

I hope some others can come and share their views with you.

best to you

fins

[puzzclar]

I have not had that experience but it still could be out there. But you do have to give EMDR a chance to work or things could get worse. Just keep trying different things until you find one that works for you. Sometimes EMDR is not for everyone. Good luck.

[Stanley_19802]

Hello Everyone,

I tried it once, but only got two sessions in before I had to stop. A friend was paying for half the session helping me out as I didn't have enough for the full session. Things changed and my friend couldn't help pay anymore and had to stop. In my case with it, she was having me tap on different spot with my pointing finger and the one next to it both together and then hum 3 times while tapping each area. That was all that was done. No headphones or lights or anything. Guess this was the cheaper version. I didn't feel any better with it myself. But I know everyone gets something different from it. Hope it helps.

-Stanley

[LivingMiracle]

I have had many sessions of EMDR with a trauma specialist, he specialized in front line soldiers (combat trauma) but it worked for my case as well. I was inpatient at the time so it was 5 times a week for a couple of months. He left for overseas and I have yet to find another one like him. EMDR has been the most beneficial for me, but everyone is different.

Like Stanley said I didn't have the head phones nor the lights. We used his finger and sometimes hand shockers when we were covering the deep stuff and I couldn't easily get to my safe place.