I am aiming to talk about doing EMDR with a different therapist whilst continuing psychotherapy with my current therapist. Have people tried this combo? I am mainly curious because there are a few things i just don't think i can work through via talk therapy namely csa and have only midly hinted at with my current T. Anyway i know its something i need to work through and thought having a seperate space to do this in might help.

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by 502041

I am aiming to talk about doing EMDR with a different therapist whilst continuing psychotherapy with my current therapist. Have people tried this combo? I am mainly curious because there are a few things i just don't think i can work through via talk therapy namely csa and have only midly hinted at with my current T. Anyway i know its something i need to work through and thought having a seperate space to do this in might help.

I did it. It worked pretty well for me. It was far from easy but both Ts helped me navigate. What types of things would you like to know??

[Out There]

I do both and it works well between them - glad you're thinking of giving it a go.

[Seelenna1982]

I began emdr for c-ptsd about 6months ago. Personally I don’t think was ready for it. I’ve never talked to anyone about my childhood traumas before and without working first on just me, the emdr was either a traumatic nightmare sending me off into weeks of dissociation and panic attacks, or I just didn’t engage in the ‘noticing’ of the memories at all and honestly after so much time it’s gone nowhere.
From my experience, I’d say just make sure you see someone who’s really experienced with emdr and complex trauma not just trauma. Working on a single trauma compared to ongoing traumas is very different.
I also would say to make sure you’ve spent a considerable amount of time working on you and your coping skills, comfortable opening up etc, maybe you already have. Emdr is hard work and it’s not pretty. But ive heard wonderful things about it. I will definitely go back to it when I’m ready.

[kecanoe]

Yes, I have done EMDR with one T while also seeing T1. It was helpful. They were ok with it, although at first I had to be pretty assertive about it.

Am I right in thinking you don't actually need to talk about the memory with the EMDR therapist.

My think is EMDR would be processing memories without having to disclose and then I could use usual therapy to ground myself.


I particularly find sharing difficult. I mean I have been with this current therapist for 3 years and have only hinted at CSA, never mentioned i used to self harm. The stuff I am really ashamed of I am nervous that maybe EMDR requires me to be too vulnerable and it won't work/will send too far into regression.

[nottrustin]

Originally Posted by 502041

Am I right in thinking you don't actually need to talk about the memory with the EMDR therapist.

My think is EMDR would be processing memories without having to disclose and then I could use usual therapy to ground myself.


I particularly find sharing difficult. I mean I have been with this current therapist for 3 years and have only hinted at CSA, never mentioned i used to self harm. The stuff I am really ashamed of I am nervous that maybe EMDR requires me to be too vulnerable and it won't work/will send too far into regression.

My Emdr T told me I could give as little or as much detail as I wanted.

The way it worked with me is I discussed everything with T that I had been before starting Emdr. However if outside appointments I was really struggling with what I was working with EMDR t, T would validate what was happening and refer me to talk to Emdr T. In appointments with T she would help me pick up the pieces from the trauma work. The initial plan was I would strictly see Emdr T for Emdr. Howver the reality wad for trust reasons I need to build report with her so sometimes we did Emdr other times we did regular talk therapy.

Then T passed away suddenly so Emdr has become my only therapist. Not currently doing EMDR because we are working through other things.