EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy
You can learn about this therapy here
From the website.. "EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR therapy people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brains information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR therapy training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes."
Has anyone had experience with this type of therapy before? How has it been for you?
Is this a type of therapy that you might consider in your search for recovery?
@BurningEmber This is a therapy that is being used a lot here in the UK especially with ptsd and complex ptsd. There have been a few studies conducted on the short term benefits of using this therapeutic approach with clients with trauma issues but there is little at the moment research wise, to suggest a long term benefit which I am certainly interested in hearing about. I know someone personally who is currently receiving this, but Im not sure she feels it is of use to her presently. I have been party to her frustrations at feeling its not working for her and not solving anything which is why it would be good to hear from others who perhaps have experienced EMDR and as to whether they feel it has benefitted them not only short term but long term and how this has.
Thanks for posting Ember :)
@dancingRainbow45
youre welcome! And interesting. I'm also interested in hearing what people feel about this.
My therapist is planning to do this with me. I have learned that it does not work well if you dissociate a lot. If you can't stay in your body, you can't integrate the emotions. So, we are stalled until I learn how to stay more present and grounded instead of zoning out every time the going gets tough. This could take a while. :/
@KatieMoon1
ah! Wow. That makes sense. Good luck!
@KatieMoon1 EMDR protocol can be adapted and used with those with dissociative disorders but it needs to be done by a skilled therapist. Most of the early part of work in EMDR with a client who is dissociative is focused on stablisation. Learning grounding techniques, learning about the window of tolerance and how to work within this, learning to stay present etc working on breathing exercises etc. Only when the client and therapist feels they can move to the next stage without the client becoming dissociative, unable to keep themselves grounded in the here and now can the therapy continue
@dancingRainbow45
Thank you. Yes, this is basically where we are at right now. My therapist said this stage can take a very long time. :/
I am currently utilizing this type of therapy (EMDR) along with the more traditional methods. The sessions are never the same and there are days when I am just not able to handle it (thus my therapist is able to use other methods as well).
I find that it is helpful in that I can go through some of the memories, feelings, emotions on my own term and not have to share more than I am ready for. My thoughts will wander a lot too and at times that leads to different discussions than what was planned - but I am learning that can be part of it and it is not wrong.
It felt strange in the beginning to just let your thoughts wander - it felt dangerous and it made me nervous, but we started working on only small issues, and we continuously work on coping techniques and grounding skills and support so that I am better prepared to handle difficult days when we work through more complex issues
It takes a lot of energy and focus to work through what can seem such complicated and involved issues, but if you trust your therapist and allow yourself to be helped and also listen to yourself for what you are ready for and able to do, then I think it is possible to overcome a lot, and learn how to manage the PTSD and the effect it has on you.
I should say I have only done this for a few months - so I am by no means an expert, and there are days when doubt is overwhelming but there are also days that are filled with hope and they have become more numerous
@TrineT
Thank you for sharing your experience with this therapy! I am glad to hear that you have the support from your therapist and that you are able to share at your own pace!
I am having EMDR at the moment. So far it has made me a lot worse. I'm having a lot more flashbacks etc :-( I have a complex trauma history though. I think my therapist is not actually following all the protocols correctly, and is in too much of a rush because it's on the NHS ( in UK) and the number of sessions is limited :-/
I feel like I need to be able to talk about stuff as well, and she's not open to this plus she wants to use the time to process. I went into a major flashback in my last session :-(
So, still undecided on it. She wants to up it to twice a week to process faster but I'm not sure :-/
Interested in others experiences!
@Tamba Sorry to hear Tamba that the sessions so far have not been as helpful as you may have hoped but have caused you to have flashbacks and you feel rushed or under pressure due to the limitations of the sessions. Has your therapist said how long your sessions will last for, in terms of the amount of sessions? For complex trauma, particularly if dissociative disorder is part of the issue, protocols really need to be adhered to otherwise it can cause destablisation to occur. EMDR sometimes is offered alongside other forms of therapy, eg the therapist uses EMDR combined with other approaches. Yes I have heard others say too that they wish to talk more and work things through that way as opposed to it being mainly around processing and EMDR technique. Perhaps if you feel able you could share your concerns with your therapist?
@dancingRainbow45
Thank you.
I have 8 more sessions. I have discussed it with her - she's not open to me talking about it as well. Either with her or anyone else :-/
But i need to!
It's really hard. I'm a single mum with little support and I'm really struggling. Feel like stopping the EMDR tbh. Very unsure about it.
@Tamba That must feel really tough for you. Its hard when you know there are limited sessions, which causes pressure already i expect, but then knowing your not feeling really heard, thats kind of a double whammy for you. Im saddened to hear that she seems unwilling to discuss your concerns. As a client you should be able to talk freely about anything and for that to be met with respect and sensitivity. Have you had therapy before or is this your first experience of it? Sometimes some people find they have to try a few things out before finding either the right approach or the right person for them. This is made harder of course if finances are limited to pay for private therapy although there are low cost options available and I dont know if this is something that would be a possibility for you to consider? Perhaps think about whether you wish to finish the sessions you have remaining or if you really feel this is not helping you, then of course there is the option of stopping the EMDR but whatever you decide must be the right thing for you and only a decision you can make
@dancingRainbow45
Thank you! I have had therapy before but not for 12 years! I'm definitely going to have more when EMDR has finished though - a talking one.
I'm going to talk to her about it all again this week and see how that goes before making a decision on the EMDR.
With the NHS there is no flexibility so no option of combining types of therapy. Crazy really.
I'll let you know how it goes!
Thank you for your concern 🙂
@Tamba Would be good to hear again from you Tamba with regards how the discussion/chat went. Take care
@dancingRainbow45
Thank you :-)
How do I find a listener who deals with PTSD, trauma etc. I've tried using the search function but everyone I've found this way has not replied to my messages!!
Thank you
@Tamba Have you tried putting ptsd/trauma in the search boxes? I dont know when you left messages but sometimes due to time zone differences and the fact people are not online all the time, or each day it can take a while for people to get back to you. If you want to you can leave a note in trauma forums, perhaps in the daily checkin or get it off your chest section to see if a listener would be able to offer you one to one chats. I am happy for you to PM me and will always respond back to you when I am able and if you want to book a chat with me your more than welcome to, though my availability at the moment is quite limited due to regular one to ones I have currently, alongside mentees and forum support sessions but feel free to message me if you would like. You could try pm'ing the trauma team to see if someone may be able to offer you a chat
@dancingRainbow45
Thank you :-)
Yes, I was putting PTSD in the search box. Did some a week ago, some about 4 days.
How do I see who the 'trauma team' are? Sorry, I'm still finding my way around here!
I will do some posts asking if anyone can do some 1:1's - thank you.
Appreciate your time answering me :-)
@Tamba If you go to community and click on that, you will have a page and on the left hand side are some green boxes - Trauma sub community is listed there, Click on that and it takes you to our new page. On the left hand side there is a section about the team. I will give you the link here https://www.7cups.com/home/trauma/
Glad you posted :) and as said feel free to PM me if you need :)
@dancingRainbow45
An update: Protocols are being reviewed due to my experience
However, the EMDR Therapist rang me today and totally guilt tripped me :-(
@Tamba I hear, and Im sorry that she did that. She may be frustrated or angry or disappointed but those feelings are hers and you do not have to choose to take those on. You always have to do what is right for you and not every therapy works for every trauma survivor. Sometimes it may be the person we dont click with or the approach but you should be encouraged, not chastised, for being allowed to make the decisions that feel right for you. Sometmes people dont always take kindly to being told that something they have offered is not working, perhaps shes taking this as a personal snub against her, but as a therapist she should also be appreciate of the fact not everything will work for all. I hope your okay
I was actually nearly going to have it here in the UK; but after talking about it with them during the consultations beforehand, we ended up deciding not to go through with it. I have always wondered what would have happened though if I had gone ahead with it at the time. In some ways I wish I had; although I do also entirely understand why they felt the need to be really careful about who they gave it to.
@resourcefulPond1641
Hiya.
Can I ask what made you and them decide against it? I'm so unsure if it's the right thing for me to be doing right now :-/
I hope you have been offered other help instead?
Take care
I decided today to stop my EMDR therapy. I've had 14 sessions and I feel no benefit. It has actually made me a LOT worse because it's taken the lid off all the memories without giving me a place to talk about them or feel heard.
I'm disappointed, I had hoped it would help :-( But it's been pretty brutal, so I'm also relieved.
Two points for those considering EMDR:
1) one of the major issues with my treatment has been that the specific protocols included in the guidelines for using EMDR in c-PTSD have not been followed. If they had been, perhaps my experience would have been different.
2) The research on this treatment option for trauma has mainly been done on PTSD, not complex PTSD. If you're considering it for the latter, please make sure you have good support systems in place and that the Therapist has experience and awareness around the differences of using it in complex trauma cases.
@Tamba
@BurningEmber I've been doing EMDR for over 3 years and I think it all depends on the therapist and on you. I like EMDR and it has helped me, but when I had to switch therapists the rate of my EMFR progress went down. So It all depends, but I think it is worth a shot.
@BurningEmber
This sounds really interesting and thank you for posting it so we can field other people's experiences with it, which seems to largely be a mixed bag. Will definitely do some reading and see if I can extrapolate some at-home practices. Thanks!
@wontsleepwontwake
you are welcome!!!
@dancingRainbow45
Wow, I am reading through the PDF and learning so much right now. Thank you for the additional resources.
@wontsleepwontwake Your most welcome :)
@dancingRainbow45
oh! This is an interesting article and explains a bit of what I already personally know but can't logically make sense of. Like why do some flashbacks/memories have images but no sound or smell or feelings attached to them. They just play like a silent bizzare movie over and over again.
Although, I have to say that having elements of these things make their way into actual dreams is one of the worst things because my mind fills in blank places and I the veil between reality and memory and fantasy/dream becomes much thicker. But the feelings it creates become more profoundly distressing.
Still working through it. Very wordy. lol!
I have been searching for support today since my situation is very different than most I've heard or read about. I'm doing EMDR at home, alone, with no therapist, and I rarely do just one session a day. I've had some rough hours, but nothing like week-long moodiness. I've found rest and relaxation AFTER going through guarded and repressed emotions.
I've had half a dozen counselors and T's in my life, mostly to find my own voice. My last therapist (5 years ago) I sought out since he did EMDR primarily. I did not stay with him due to cost, plus a constant "fight or flight" I was in; I never fully relaxed since I was facing a divorce (ie. abandonment, a major trigger). Plus I was terrified of what was lurking inside me. Note: my closest friend at the time had multiple personalities. I picked up some of his fear of "emotional explosions".
Well, I'd explored online while with the EMDR T, seeking online visuals for EMDR. I found some, used them, but was not impressed. About 10 days ago I remembered this and googled "emdr online". I found the videos I'd seen years back, but I needed more; more instruction and guidance. I went down and saw www.virtualemdr.com and clicked on it. After maybe 8 hours or so, I signed up, and I jumped in.
I am using it 2-3 times daily, recording experiences in downloadable session sheets, and saving them. I'm using it anytime some strong emotion rises, or I just sense something's there. I know I've had PTSD from emotional neglect--but mainly through my own emotional self-harm, so that's why I've used it so frequently. My mom verbally abused then rejected me, and I've done the same to myself many more years. I've done EMDR while having a pinched gut...and keeping the EMDR going begins dissolving some fear, anger, or sadness in me. I've found often that what I'm ignoring is what is being worked on, as my control is what has hurts me the very most.
The benefits outnumber the inconveniences by far, but I'm here since doing it alone is......lonely. I've been a relationship anorexic many years, so.......this is new. I've shared of it in my Adult Children of Alcoholics meetings (only one so far), and will share more in a meeting tomorrow. EMDR has healing power, and I'm grateful I found it!
Thanks for the open question!
