EMDR???

Good afternoon,

Has anyone had EMDR therapy??? If so, I'd appreciate any feedback as I have my first session tomorrow for PTSD and Agoraphobia.

Thanks,

Ron

6 Comments

EMDR???

by Ronniecolorado - 2013-04-28 05:04:00

Thanks alot AngrySparrow...

Your post is very helpful...and most of all I appreciate the Pep Talk...just what I needed to hear.

All the Best...

Ron

Research

by Yakkwak - 2013-04-29 10:04:52

As a patient/client, you have a right (and need) to know the research that supports any treatment you may receive. You owe it to yourself to find out. Any therapist worth his or her salt will not hesitate to provide you with more than a "google it" response. Good for you for wanting to improve your life; awesome!!!

You've Got to Be Kidding

by Yakkwak - 2013-04-30 03:04:59

My post was only advocating client empowerment through knowledge. It did NOT advocate any particular treatment, nor did it discourage any particular treatment. That would be UNETHICAL. It certainly was not a cheap advertisement for a one's therapy practice nor a particular treatment modality from someone who readily ADMITS to "roaming the web looking for EMDR discussions......." to self-promote. The OP is better off reviewing research articles through NIH, and in particular, one meta-analysis, and make informed decisions - instead of purchasing any self-help books for the layman (as advertised above). Sincere apologies to the OP for my having opened the door for cheap advertisement. Very best wishes to you, OP.

EMDR???

by Ronniecolorado - 2013-04-30 05:04:21

Thanks everyone...for your feedback.

I had my first EMDR session yesterday and I actually enjoyed it...got emotional and am looking forward to more for as long as it takes to help with the PTSD.

All my best to each and everyone of you.

Ron

about EMDR

by drpattijane - 2013-04-30 09:04:32

Actually, There is well-controlled research now proving EMDR's efficacy and it is considered one of the three treatments of choice for trauma by organizations such as ISTSS (International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies), American Psychiatric Assoc, Amer Psychological Assoc, Dept of Veteran Affairs, Dept of Defense, Departments of Health in Northern Ireland, UK, Israel, the Netherlands, France, and other countries and organizations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) now has "guidelines on problems and disorders specifically related to stress." (In press)
“Individual or group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a trauma focus, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), or stress management should be considered for adults with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).”
"Individual or group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a trauma focus or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) should be considered for children and adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)."

I'm a therapist who uses EMDR as my primary treatment psychotherapy 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 (certified by the EMDR International Assoc. and trained by the EMDR Inst, both of which I strongly recommend in an EMDR therapist) I have used EMDR successfully with panic disorders, single incident trauma and complex/chronic PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, body image, phobias, distressing memories, bad dreams and more...

It's really crucial that the therapist spends enough time in one of the initial phases (Phase 2) in EMDR that involves preparing for memory processing or desensitization (memory processing or desensitization - phases 3-6 - is often referred to as "EMDR" which is actually an 8-phase psychotherapy). In this phase resources are "front-loaded" so that you have a "floor" or "container" to help with processing the really hard stuff. 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. So if you start feeling overwhelmed or that it's too intense, you can ground yourself (with your therapist's help in session, and on your own between sessions) and feel safe enough to continue the work. In my practice, after the Phase 2 work lets us know that my patient is safe enough and able to cope with any emotion and/or physical sensation both during and between EMDR processing sessions, I often suggest we try a much less intense memory first if there is one that happened BEFORE the trauma(s). If there isn't one, then I suggest we start developmentally with the least disturbing memory and work our way "up" to the most disturbing event(s).

Grounding exercises are indispensable in everyday life, and really essential in stressful times. Anyone 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). Anyway, the book is terrific. It's 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 teaches readers lots of helpful techniques that can be used immediately and that are also used during EMDR therapy to calm disturbing thoughts and feelings.

As I’ve mentioned about Phase 2, during EMDR therapy you learn coping strategies and self-soothing techniques that you can use during EMDR processing or anytime you feel the need. 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 is that YOU, the client, are in control NOW, even though you likely were not during past events. 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) 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 ask you to say just a bit of what you’re noticing. 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 techniques that help make it the gentlest and safest way to neutralize bad life experiences and build resources.

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 should be using 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.

In addition to my therapy practice, I roam the web looking for EMDR discussions, try to answer questions about it posted by clients/patients, and respond to the critics out there. It's not a cure-all therapy. However, it really is an extraordinary psychotherapy and its results last. In the hands of a really experienced EMDR therapist, it's the most gentle way of working through disturbing experiences.

If you knew all about EMDR...

by donr - 2013-05-01 08:05:11

...Before that comment, raise your hand.

Hmmmmm, just as I thought , not a hand in the crowd.

To me, that was not an advert, but a detailed essay on a relatively new approach to a very serious problem w/ great application for PM/ICD hosts who suffer PTSD. (Shades of ElectricFrank!)

I have been searching for such a discussion for at least three yrs.

Here's your advert: A book by Col (Ret), USAF, Robert Certain, describing his experiences w/ PTSD & it's ultimate control via EMDR. Title is "Eagle Unchained," or something like that. Unfortunately, he does not go into nearly the technical detail as Dr. Pattijane.

Thanks, Doc. I really enjoyed that.

Yes, I play host to a 750 lb gorilla named PTSD. Have for over 35 yrs. PTSD was not characterized & entered into the DSM-V till 1980. I've had it since 1977 & no one recognized it in me for what it was till 1984. I know too many men & woman who suffer its sting. This offers hope to a lot of them. It may or may not be a cure, but it sureIy offers hope for its control & amelioration of symptoms. The jury will be out on the cure issue for several years.

Don

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