[rep97]

Has anyone tried EMDR here?

Do you actually talk about the trauma during emdr or not? That is what I wanna know.

[pattijane]

Originally Posted by rep97

Has anyone tried EMDR here?

Do you actually talk about the trauma during emdr or not? That is what I wanna know.

Not necessarily!! One of the brilliant aspects of EMDR therapy is that it's possible to work on a trauma or other problem WITHOUT speaking about it. This is one of the reasons it's so useful for trauma survivors, Vets in particular.

As a recently retired psychologist, I used EMDR therapy as my primary psychotherapy treatment and I've also personally had EMDR therapy for anxiety, panic, grief, and “small t” trauma. As a client, EMDR worked extremely well and also really fast. As an EMDR therapist, and in my (now retired) role as a facilitator who trained other therapists in EMDR therapy (certified by the EMDR International Association and trained by the EMDR Institute, both of which I strongly recommend in an EMDR therapist) I have used EMDR therapy successfully with panic disorders, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, body image, phobias, distressing memories, bad dreams, and many other problems. It's a very gentle method with no significant "down-side" so that in the hands of a professional EMDR therapist, there should be no freak-outs or worsening of day-to-day functioning.

One of the initial phases (Phase 2) in EMDR therapy involves preparing for memory processing or desensitization (memory processing or desensitization - phases 3-6 - is often what is referred to as "EMDR" which is actually an 8-phase method of psychotherapy). In this phase resources are "front-loaded" so that you have a "floor" or "container" to help with processing the really hard stuff, as well as creating strategies if you're triggered in everyday life. In Phase 2 you learn a lot of great coping strategies and self-soothing techniques which you can use during EMDR processing or anytime you feel the need. This phase is as essential as every phase of the standard EMDR therapy protocol!

In phase 2 you learn how to access a “Safe or Calm Place” which you can use at ANY TIME during EMDR processing (or on your own) if it feels scary, or too emotional, too intense. One of the key assets of EMDR therapy is that YOU, the client, are in control NOW, even though you weren’t in the past, during traumatic events and/or panic/anxiety, or whatever disturbance(s) on which you’re working. You NEVER need re-live an experience or go into great detail, ever! You NEVER need to go through the entire memory. YOU can decide to keep the lights (or the alternating sounds and/or tactile pulsars, or the waving hand, or any method of bilateral stimulation that feels okay to you) going, or stop them, whichever helps titrate – measure and adjust the balance or “dose“ of the processing. During EMDR processing there are regular “breaks” and you can control when and how many but the therapist should be stopping the bilateral stimulation every 25-50 passes of the lights to ask you to take a deep breath and say just a bit of what you’re noticing, anything different, any changes. (The stimulation should not be kept on continuously, because there are specific procedures that need to be followed to process the memory). The breaks help keep a “foot in the present” while you’re processing the past. Again, and I can’t say this enough, YOU ARE IN CHARGE so YOU can make the process tolerable. And your therapist should be experienced in the EMDR therapy techniques that help make it the gentlest and safest way to detoxify bad life experiences and build resources.

Grounding exercises are essential. You can use some of the techniques in Dr. Shapiro's new book "Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR." Dr. Shapiro is the founder/creator of EMDR but all the proceeds from the book go to two charities: the EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program and the EMDR Research Foundation). The book is an easy read, helps you understand what's "pushing" your feelings and behavior, helps you connect the dots from past experiences to current life. Also gives lots of really helpful ways that are used during EMDR therapy to calm disturbing thoughts and feelings.

Pacing and dosing are critically important. So if you ever feel that EMDR processing is too intense then it might be time to go back over all the resources that should be used both IN session and BETWEEN sessions.

Many organizations, professional associations, departments of health of many countries, the US Dept. of Defense, and the VA, all have given their "stamp of approval" to EMDR therapy. There are 35 randomized controlled (and 20 nonrandomized) studies that have been conducted on EMDR therapy in the treatment of trauma, and many more on other psychological and physical conditions.

[rep97]

That doesn't sound too good. I need to talk about the trauma in a safe evironment with a threapist I trust and have a good relatinship.

Emdr sounds alot like brainspotting. And brainspotting didn't do anything for me. I am going to stick to talk therapy.

I would give it a shot (actually, I really wish I could give it another shot).

EMDR did more for me than any other type of therapy, and in barely any time. I did it in rehab and wasnt able to find someone to do it with afterwards (nor had the financial stuff).

You do talk about the trauma... but not as a story. Just in chunks. I am so analytical that I often find that I am turning the trauma into the story I think the T wants. Doing this I could just let go with my memories and have feelings when they came up and stop if they were too much...

The physical aspect (eg, tapping my feet as if to run), also made me move through the trauma whereas I had wasted so much of my life just telling people.

It was more like sharing, moving past, than just talking, though we did talk. We also talked after the EMDR about what had happened and more of like typical therapy.

I so wish I could do it again!

[GypsyNinjaGizmo]

I appreciate the info you shared about EMDR. I just recently began this with my therapist. I have been struggling. We started it and went to phase 2, but my disassociation got even worse, and my emotions were all over the place. We decided to take it really slow, so I am just beginning to work on my safe places. I feel like this process is going to take forever. I do like the idea of this, and body awareness, because I do disassociate so bad, but it is still discouraging. I am hopeful though.