Therapist Wants To Try A Different Technique

[Iam]

Haha.....I just saw these responses Deb and AdamAnt!

I think I'd rather DEBate than do that rape role play. Though he did just have me imagine the guy in my mind, read what I had written about what happened and then have me hit, kick and push past the pillow. It was awful and I ended up dissociating. Not good and NOT something I'll ever do again!

 

[anni]

Debate- think I would not wish to get into that with her. She'd be GOOD at it. I did wish to say thanks for including so many approaches here, with T's. Mine also does not tend to get into the traumas for the most part and deals with things like Deb's does- I've quite simply never asked him about anything else. Wow Iam, have to imagine it was horrible but having done that must have been huge for you! Much respect here, to be sure!

I do miss seeing Adam around. He could always point this stuff out, and make an LOL for us over things.

 

[BloomInWinter]

I found a really good article about 'somatic re-experiencing Therapy', I think it was called. I'll see if I can find it.

The therapist did use pillows and a towel the patient could push against, but was very cautionary about positioning himself (herself) in any way where the patient could mistake the T. for the perp in her head. But she was laying down horizontally with her feet against the wall, 'running' but in place, in her head.

...and it sounded like weeks of roleplaying running to her safe-place first before anything began with roleplaying her rape.

It sounded wonderful, healing, well-versed and grounded in safety and well documented.

 

[Srain]

Interesting idea for role-playing but not one I would feel comfortable doing with my tdoc, especially a male. I like the idea of pillows and a towel or pushing against something else. I have done many kinds of role playing but that one I have not. I do get where he is going with this but as Intothelight said about the other female being there is about legal issues as well, though the choice is a bit concerning. (Yeah, I caught the date lol but still an interesting post ;) )

Rain

 

[kers]

Old post, but still an interesting discussion!

I would never do this with my therapist, I depend on the physical boundaries we have and the fact that everything we do only involves words. But I've done a self-defense class for years, and with the support of teachers I trust, I am able to work through some of the scenarios that gave me PTSD. It's not the same thing as a therapy, though, because I try not to let myself think too much about the trauma when I am working through the new fighting back--I do it plenty at home in my mind, though, sort of laying the past and present images on one another. Knowing how I could fight back, and actually doing it with another person, has been huge for me. Hugely scary, too, though. So I can see how, with proper preparation and therapist training and client safety, this could be helpful.

 

[deer_in_headlights]

(((((((BloomInWinter))))))))))

I'm so glad you wrote that!
One of my trauma Ts is doing the Somatic Experiencing (Dr. Peter A Levine, Ph.D. "In An Unspoken Voice: How The Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness" is a great resource on this.) We are both thrilled at what is happening.

_________
The pushing and running motions helps to bring you out of the terrified paralysis of the freeze state (where a lot of difficult flashback, sick, blocked symptoms are and where I can remain stuck and barely living).
The gentle pushing and or running motions helps the brain shift into a more evolved and healthier fight or flight state. It really is effective at helping me pull out of awful stuff and get very present. No boundary issues for me. When I'm on the phone with my T, and we go into trauma, he's helped me pull out of the symptoms by pushing against anything solid that's there: my car, a tree, a wall, etc... and it works.

Then there are further steps, to bring you more into a safe, comfort, thinking (higher-level cognitive brain) state, out of the more primitive survival states.
___

Everything you wrote BloomInWinter is exactly what happens and it is very wonderful and healing!
Love!

 

[deer_in_headlights]

Hi Kers,

Are you doing the healing and realistic "Padded Instructor" type of Self-Defense training (ie IMPACT: Model Mugging)?
That is so fantastic!
I've done several classes, and can't wait to do more (in recovery from a car crash, so classes are on hold), but you're right, it is hugely therapeutic! I'll never forget fighting through specific traumas... very powerful, empowering and profoundly healing...

It's exciting that you have this resource!
(Wishing I could do it a lot more :) )
Love,
Deer

 

[BloomInWinter]

Here's some other resources that seem reasonably reliable with several interesting points of info;

- Southeast
- Link Removed
- [DLMURL]https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Somatic_Experiencing[/DLMURL]

 

[Iam]

(((((((BloomInWinter))))))))))


The pushing and running motions helps to bring you out of the terrified paralysis of the freeze state (where a lot of difficult flashback, sick, blocked symptoms are and where I can remain stuck and barely living).
The gentle pushing and or running motions helps the brain shift into a more evolved and healthier fight or flight state.

Wow, that sound interesting Deer. What you are saying makes total sense as apparently our traumas are literally stored physically in our bodies hence the bodily sensations we have during dissociation or flashbacks. Interesting concept.

I know my T had wanted me to kick the pillow low down, but he was coming from the idea that is how a small child would fight.

Bloom, thanks for the references. I'll check them out.