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#1
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I've read on this site a lot of how much EMDR has helped so many of you. Unfortunately I was not able to find a EMDR T in my area. I will be paying out of pocket and husband makes too much for me to be eligible for any free/low-cost services.
Is it still a good idea for me to contact a T who lists the following for treatment orientation: existential, humanistic, integrative, psychodynamic, and trauma focused? Did any of you benefit seeing a this type of T for trauma? I guess I just want to make sure my $170/hr doesn't go to waste. |
#2
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I have PTSD and do not do EMDR. There are many effective treatments for PTSD, and you do not have to do EMDR if you don't want to or if it isn't available in your area. What's more important is finding a T who is trauma specialized.
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HazelGirl PTSD, Depression, ADHD, Anxiety Propranolol 10mg as needed for anxiety, Wellbutrin XL 150mg |
#3
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I would go with the T who is the best overall in credentials that you feel comfortable with. EMDR can be effective with PTSD, but if you don't have PTSD symptoms, then you needn't feel you must find a T who offers it. There are many ways to heal trauma; what's most important is finding the combination of approach and personality you are comfortable with.
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#4
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The two treatment modalities that have the most evidence for their efficacy are Prolonged Exposure, and Cognitive Processing Therapy - this is what they practice at VA's.
Research indicates that what is effective about EMDR is the prolonged exposure component. |
#5
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I am in psychodynamic therapy for trauma (diagnosed with PTSD along with some other things... Mostly cured now
![]() It worked for me. However, and this is a big however, it takes time- I pay out of pocket too, twice a week for just over 7years now and I still am not finished... The cost of therapy should be something you can work in to your monthly budget. Modalities are of significance but I think that the most important thing is how you and your T "click"- been to several Ts till I found one I didnt hate ![]() |
#6
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Never had EMDR. Worked mostly with a behavioral T and am also mostly cured now. It does take time to work through and lots of time and practice to get past those old messages we tell ourselves because of what we went through.
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#7
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I started trauma therapy more than 20 years ago before EMDR was invented. I remember thinking how silly it was that some people believed waving a finger in front of your face was going to cure me of the effects of CSA. I don't think it's silly any more (I think the research is clear that it has benefits for many people), but when I had a re-activation of my PTSD four years ago (after 15 years w/o therapy) I went back for talk therapy. My current T is very eclectic, if I had to label him, I'd say humanistic-psychodynamic-mindfulness.
I think that EMDR is worth trying if you have access to it, but I do not believe even its strongest proponents believe it's a panacea for all trauma. |
#8
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I have never done EMDR. My therapist actually bought it up a few years ago when there was an article in the newspaper about a couple of new therapists to the area who specialized in it. She has read great things and thought it might help me. However, she also understood when I said I don't have it in me to discuss this with another person. EMDR is suppose to be pretty quick (at least according to the article) however, I told her it wouldn't be quick as it would take me a long time to get to the point where I could trust the other person and myself enough to get to the point where I can discuss my history. She never brought the subject up again.
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#9
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I have complex PTSD. My t is perfect for me, and she doesn't do emdr.
Also, I hear it's a great technique for individual trauma experiences, but that other techniques need to be used for numerous, ongoing, interpersonal trauma. I've read emdr works really well for dealing with a specific trauma, but it doesn't work when numerous traumas are involved. There are different techniques used, like those listed by the T you've found. You can only try and see if it fits with you. Best of luck. |
#10
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Quote:
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#11
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Quote:
While Prolonged Exposure is effective in the treatment of trauma, it requires 1-2 hours of daily homework while EMDR does not require any homework and has a significantly lower "drop-out" rate. And EMDR therapy's effectiveness has been shown to be related to many other aspects besides some exposure. Also, EMDR therapy is NOT prolonged exposure because there are regular breaks and dosing of processing. The VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) & Department of Defense (2004). VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Post-Traumatic Stress. Washington, DC. (see: VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guidelines Home) EMDR was one of four therapies recommended and given the highest level of evidence. Actually, there are 35 randomized controlled (and 20 nonrandomized) studies that have been conducted on EMDR therapy in the treatment of trauma. And more excellent research now on the role of eye movements, mechanism of action, and other Randomized Controlled Studies, not only on trauma and PTSD, but also on the use of EMDR therapy with generalized anxiety disorder, treatment of distressful experiences that fail to meet the criteria for PTSD, dental phobia, depression, body dysmorphic disorder, chronic phantom limb pain, panic disorder with agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and peer verbal abuse. Many organizations, professional associations, departments of health in many countries, the US Dept. of Defense, and the VA, all have given their "stamp of approval" to EMDR therapy. The World Health Organization has published Guidelines for the management of conditions that are specifically related to stress: Trauma-focused CBT and EMDR are the only psychotherapies recommended for children, adolescents and adults with PTSD. “Like CBT with a trauma focus, EMDR aims to reduce subjective distress and strengthen adaptive cognitions related to the traumatic event. Unlike CBT with a trauma focus, EMDR does not involve (a) detailed descriptions of the event, (b) direct challenging of beliefs, (c) extended exposure, or (d) homework." (Geneva, WHO, 2013, p.1) |
#12
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EMDR does have data supporting it's effectiveness over talk therapy for treatment of trauma. Since you don't seem to have access to one though, a CBT T with a trauma focus might be a good choice. If finances are an issue I think CBT with a highly specialized T would give you the most value since if it works for you, it tends to be quicker. Talk therapy can take a long time, which may or may not matter to you.
One piece of advice that I've gotten and found very valid is to look for a T who has a shorter list of specialties and approaches. The longer their list of specialties, the less specialized the T really is. Last edited by Lauliza; Jan 02, 2015 at 11:21 AM. |
#13
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Thanks for all the advice everyone.
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