EMDR

my t wants to try emdr on me. i would love to hear stories and peoples experience with it .

**** EMDR.

i've done it 2x for phobias, it isn't bad, some hate it i guess but so far it's been alright.

I've had a good experience with EMDR relieving the panic and anxiousness for a part of me.

We were doing EMDR for another part and it feels like it got too "real" and something stepped in and shut it down.

I don't know if that makes sense or not for you, where you are at.

I do believe it helps and I've experienced it for a part of me. I don't really know what to say about the other attempt.

You could give it a try. I don't believe it would be bad.

I wanted to add that the second time that it didn't help, didn't hurt my progress.

I just didn't find the release and unburdening.

I am starting it in August. Would also be interested in info.

I do well with EMDR - for serious trauma I think it's needed. I know some people don't like it or do well with it. I'm not surprised your T has suggested it Granite as your trauma is so severe , talking helps but doesn't always get all of it. My EMDR T is a consultant clinical psychologist with over 10 years experience. I experienced changes in the underlying neural pathways , and they'd been like that for over 50 years. No , it's never too late , it's only what we're feeling " now ". But it is hard work. I don't often say too much as I'm quite a private person , but I had a " Mother " that wasn't really and things stem from it still. So I hope that encourages you Granite and anyone else who's interested.

I agree with OutThere, but you already knew that

I tried it for a few months, and it was interesting, but for me, I had no real trauma to focus on, so I eventually quit.

That being said, I think it is pretty important to find a good, qualified EMDR-T. My T that referred me to her said she waited a long time to tell me that she wanted me to try it because she was waiting for a good EMDR-T to come into town.

I know your T IS trained in it, so it is a moot point...but still.

My current T brought it up a couple of sessions ago (why T's, WHY?!), and I was all like "Oh, remember, I've already tried it! And it didn't work!" haha.

I really hope you try. By the way--you don't just jump in and do it. I had many "regular" sessions before I ever did EMDR. There is a whole process of setting the client up to be ready for it, and to know when it is safe to do it, so it doesn't completely trigger you.

I have never tried it before but I am meeting with am EMDR on Tuesday. I am nervous but hppeful.

I found EMDR helpful. I have not experienced a sudden, radical change because of EMDR, but it did, session by session, result in gradual improvement.

I like it because I don't have to talk about/remember in detail things from the past that I would prefer stay in the past. I can just remember the feeling and then let it process. I don't have to share all of the places my brain goes, and when t pauses to see how I am doing, I can be as general or specific as I want.

I like it because I have not formed an intense attachment to either of the t's that I have done EMDR with. I look forward to sessions, and sometimes will note something going on during the week that I want to address with EMDR, but other than that, I don't think about the t during the week. It is way, way less distressing for me than the more talk therapy oriented ts I have seen because I just don't have the NEED for them. The relationship is far less complicated.

I also like it because I feel like I am in control of how deep I go. I can stop it at any time or I can ask to switch to resourcing.

I know it doesn't work for everybody, but I definitely have had a positive experience with it.

But in all seriousness...

Some have found EMDR helpful. Some have found it REALLY helpful. It's evidence based. I have no insight into the do's, but here's some don't's:

DON'T commence treatment in a state of ambivalence

DON'T commence treatment with an inexperienced clinician

DON'T commence treatment unless you can be really honest with your T. Like, "for some ****ed-up reason I'm transposing your face onto my abuse memories and now you freak me out"-level honest.

DON'T commence treatment unless you can tolerate BLS (bilateral stimulation). Practice it, make sure you're cool with it before getting to actual trauma.

DON'T commence treatment if life factors (job, relationship, finances, etc) are likely to make it difficult to continue treatment

DON'T commence treatment without finishing treatment.

My two cents....

Granite, the bolded parts are the reasons why I think you would do well with EMDR.