[sw628]

I couldn't find the EMDR thread that was started a while back. Today T said that as part of her trauma training this semester, she would like to work on using EMDR with me. Can anyone help me out with what to expect? We haven't gone near my trauma issues so it scares me to even think about it. Any advice would be appreciated. I know I could find scholarly articles however nothing beats the actual experience.

[Ellexa]

I did 2 sessions a couple of months ago but it did not do much because of inner resistance. At that point I was not ready to let go of my pain. Tomorrow I'm going back to doing EMDR. This time I want to go all the way.
I work on my abandonment issues ("i'm not worthy", etc)

You can ask me questions, I'd be glad to share my experience.

I do it almost every week with my T for trauma issues and I believe in it's valuable benefits for treating trauma issues. But it is a very powerful tool . I admit I would be very hesitant if I knew I was one of the first of a T's clients doing EMDR. Is this T a new one to the field or is it just the EMDR that is new with her?

[moonrise]

I had one session of EMDR with a highly trained therapist. It wasn't for me. She used glasses with lights, and for some reason I freaked out, felt like I was trapped in a dark room. I know some people use tapping, or light bars. There are so many different ways of doing it.

Looking back, I know I wasn't in the right place to do trauma work. I simply wasn't stable enough.

I hope you'll post about how it goes. EMDR is something I've thought about doing in the future, once I get my head straightened out a bit more.

[peaches100]

Hello,

I've done EMDR a few times, and I have trouble tolerating the emotional pain that arises. After an EMDR session, I often ended up spiraling down and not being able to function well in the following days. My t has told me that the problem is that i have dissociated self states and do not have enough coping skills to tolerate distress yet. So we are working on DBT skills more before trying it again.

[sw628]

Hey everyone Thanks for the responses and much needed advice

My T has been in her private practice for a year and a half however has been in and out of counseling centers for about 9 yrs. This would be her first try with EMDR stuff. She is undergoing her own EMDR sessions for the next 6 months. I'm a little apprehensive since she is so new to this. I won't be jumping into anything as I feel she doesn't have all of the skills yet. She also just became an LCSW ( previously a LMSW). She mentioned that we would spend 6-9 months preparing for EMDR I wonder if i will still be in therapy for that long as I'm preparing fro graduate school and such. I'll keep everyone posted!

[sw628]

Originally Posted by peaches100

Hello,

I've done EMDR a few times, and I have trouble tolerating the emotional pain that arises. After an EMDR session, I often ended up spiraling down and not being able to function well in the following days. My t has told me that the problem is that i have dissociated self states and do not have enough coping skills to tolerate distress yet. So we are working on DBT skills more before trying it again.

Hi Peaches
I have a strange feeling that this is what might happen to me since i've avoided even talking about my trauma issues. I also suffer from PTSD so I'm certain EMDR will be need to wait a while until i can develop adequate coping skills

[sw628]

Originally Posted by exoticflower

I do it almost every week with my T for trauma issues and I believe in it's valuable benefits for treating trauma issues. But it is a very powerful tool . I admit I would be very hesitant if I knew I was one of the first of a T's clients doing EMDR. Is this T a new one to the field or is it just the EMDR that is new with her?

Hi exotic

It was acutally your thread that i was looking for a few days ago I know that EMDR is a huge part of your healing. I can also see how helpful it is to you. T is still very new to EMDR so i don't quite trust that she knows what she is doing just yet. I'll keep talking about it with her.

Hi SW,

I know I blabber a lot here sometimes, but you can click on my name and look under status and find all my threads that I start or comment on.

It took me a long time to get to the place I have with my T in order to trust her enough to do EMDR. We are just now getting into the hard stuff after a year.

I know what you mean about wondering how long you will be in therapy. When I first started, my first T said 6 mo. was all I need, well that was 5 years ago. lol

Always remember you don't have to do anything you feel you are not ready for.
I am very happy your T is getting this training but If you have some deep trauma stuff or multiple trauma stuff, I wouldn't do it with her till she has more therapy experience and EMDR experience. There are levels of EMDR, and level 2 deals with the most complicated issues revolving around EMDR training. I wouldn't do EMDR with a T who has any less than that, especially in trauma stuff. But that is just what I think.

[Ellexa]

exoticflower

How do you guys feel after EMDR sessions? Do you feel OK or do you feel physically exhausted?

I feel lots of stuff depending how intense the session went. Normally I feel exhausted the first and 2nd day and then on the 3rd day something in me changes. Why the 3rd day , I don't know. But usually I see things differently or have a new insight on an issue we did for EMDR.
This last time this week, the first day and right after my session I felt all this energy swirling through out my body (this is a first) The 2nd day- some swirling but felt a little agitated or just unsettled. The 3rd day-lots of deep grief all day 4th day felt invincible like Mario. Plus so far, I feel I released and healed a lot of stuff because I feel better than I did when I had my appointment.
Don't know if that helps.... but overall I feel a little bit better and sometimes a lot better about the issues we dealt with than before. The issues don't seem as upsetting or charged as before (or triggering)

[Ellexa]

exoticflower

Thank you for sharing. EMDR seems to be really working for you. I bet it feels great to be invincible like Mario

I was wondering how you feel right after the session? The reason I'm asking - I talked to one therapist who uses EMDR in her practice, and she was surprised to hear that I feel quite rested right after the sessions. She said her clients say they feel tired like after a good gym workout.

So, it got me thinking if my therapist is going EMDR right. She is relatively new to it.