[laxer12]

This is super random but do any of you do EMDR and wear glasses? I started it with my T last week and I wear glasses so she asked me if I could still see her if I took them off. I'm pretty blind without them but I could see her hand movements fine so I took them off. However, I felt weird the rest of the session not being able to see her facial expressions clearly or make eye contact (I could see her eyes but not where she was looking).

Does it really matter if I wear my glasses or not? I felt like not being able to see clearly put a barrier between us. My previous T used hand tappers and headphones so my eyes were closed half the time anyway. I'm tempted to wear contacts but I've read online that the eye movement can make your eyes really dry with contacts in...

[Out There]

I do EMDR , using headphones and paddles. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't wear your glasses during EMDR - I wear glasses for distance.

I did a few sessions with emdr wearing contacts, didn't dry my eyes out much and I have naturally dry eyes.

[jeremiahgirl]

I wear glasses and did EMDR for several years. Because of my issues of touch, I used sounds for my treatment. I kept my glasses on, because I wanted to see the T (cautious) and didn't feel safe with my eyes closed. Also, I knew the T would be staring at my eyes.

I guess it depends on how you feel without your glasses, if this calms you I'd wear them. If you feel there's a barrier I'd mention that and then choose what best.

[MBM17]

My therapist hasn't mentioned taking my glasses off. I'm always scared that my therapist will be watching me while I have my eyes closed, will be watching me cry or heave sob or barely breathe, etc. Not being able to see him or his expressions would make EMDR impossible for me to emotionally handle because I'd feel too unsafe. I too recommend mentioning it to her.

[jeremiahgirl]

Your T will be watching your eyes, they can tell when your progressing or when something is getting off track by watching your eyes, this is only one indication your doing ok in the process of healing. If you feel confident in not seeing her clearly that's ok. However, my T always wanted me to keep my eyes open and not closed so he could see my progress.