[Banjolin]

Has anyone here actually been through EMDR therapy? My therapist has been suggesting it to me for a while. I initially didn't want to do it because I'd have to see another therapist and I didn't want to do that. Now, my therapist is going through the training so I will be able to do it with him. I have a lot of fears around it through, emdr scares me the same way talking about it does. I don't want to go there, I don't want to face those things. I know though, that facing the hard things is necessary in accepting them, I'm just scared. The only reason I feel open to doing it is because I trust my t and he genuinely thinks it could help me with the areas I'm still struggling.

If you've done it, can you tell me about what it was like to focus in the stimulation and be present with an aweful memory at the same time? I feel like I wouldn't be able to help closing my eyes or covering my face while thinking about it...
And of course any general stuff on your experience.

Thanks

[geez]

EMDR isn't for everyone. In some instances it did help reduce my anxiety and fear in a particular situation.

The other time I tried it, it didn't work.

I've done EMDR with two different T's

It can be emotional but It was worth it because it helped me in the end. I also noticed I was completely relaxed and tired after my appointments (except for one time when it didn't work).

Let us know how your treatment goes!

[MoxieDoxie]

EMDR works but for specific things. Thye stopped my nightmares, stopped memories having such a visual and emotional charge. He has also used EMDR to install positive things I have done that I normally could not like ask for my needs to be met, or if I found the confidence or courage to do something then he would instal that. This would help with boosting confidence and self esteem. Did not fix all my problems but sure did help take some barriers away.

[rainbow8]

I used to do EMDR with my T but I don't think it worked so well for me. It did help with my fear of fire and lighting matches. I used buzzers that I held in my hand so T encouraged me to keep my eyes closed while we did it. I always thought I was doing EMDR wrong but my T told me there is no right or wrong about the process. I was also very tired after an EMDR session and usually slept better that night. It was a weird experience but was not traumatic for me.

Good luck. If you trust your T, it will be fine.

[pattijane]

Originally Posted by Banjolin

Has anyone here actually been through EMDR therapy? My therapist has been suggesting it to me for a while. I initially didn't want to do it because I'd have to see another therapist and I didn't want to do that. Now, my therapist is going through the training so I will be able to do it with him. I have a lot of fears around it through, emdr scares me the same way talking about it does. I don't want to go there, I don't want to face those things. I know though, that facing the hard things is necessary in accepting them, I'm just scared. The only reason I feel open to doing it is because I trust my t and he genuinely thinks it could help me with the areas I'm still struggling.

If you've done it, can you tell me about what it was like to focus in the stimulation and be present with an aweful memory at the same time? I feel like I wouldn't be able to help closing my eyes or covering my face while thinking about it...
And of course any general stuff on your experience.

Thanks

I use 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 role as a facilitator who trains 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.

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. 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. Your therapist can use a variety of techniques to make painful processing less painful, like suggesting you turn the scene in your mind to black and white, lower the volume, or, erect a bullet-proof glass wall between you and the painful scene, or, imagine the abuser speaking in a Donald Duck voice... and so forth. There are a lot of these kinds of "interventions" that ease the processing. They are called "cognitive interweaves" that your therapist can use, and that also can help bring your adult self's perspective into the work (or even an imaginary Adult Perspective). Such interweaves are based around issues of Safety, Responsibility, and Choice. So therapist questions like "are you safe now?" or "who was responsible? and "do you have more choices now?" are all very helpful in moving the processing along.

You might want to take a look at a description of EMDR therapy: EMDR Network

The biggest upside to EMDR for me was that, while traditional talk therapy needs you to "dive" into the memory, with EMDR you simply "stare at the ocean" and watch what comes up. So you don't "drown". Also, you don't have to voice the things you don't want to voice (e.g. because you're embarassed or because it's scary).

I sincerely hope that whatever method you choose will end up working.

[Ellahmae]

Yes. This is why I am all for EMDR.

Patti also described it brilliantly I couldn't have said it better.

Originally Posted by Breadfish

The biggest upside to EMDR for me was that, while traditional talk therapy needs you to "dive" into the memory, with EMDR you simply "stare at the ocean" and watch what comes up. So you don't "drown". Also, you don't have to voice the things you don't want to voice (e.g. because you're embarassed or because it's scary).

I sincerely hope that whatever method you choose will end up working.