My spouse started EMDR has had two sessions. The first he slept all day (which I expected) the second he came home and drank a bottle and half of vodka and raged. He has multiple trauma beginning in childhood and is a first responder. I have read that EMDR is less effective for early childhood trauma and multiple trauma. I am very concerned as this is a new therapist with little establishment of trust. They have had only two sessions before beginning, albeit he had an established therapist of 6 months that was working towards EMDR but he bailed because she wanted him to start coming 3x a week. Maybe (?) the two therapist talked I wouldn't know as he is extremely angry at life and disassociates a lot, therefore we don't talk much. He has been in full blown episodes for over 2 years..... we have had some doozies. He has settled somewhat, but, feels like a calm before a storm and don't want EMDR to be the catalyst. I know he does not tell his therapists everything from previous sessions together so I am wondering if new therapist has all the details...and why would a therapist do EMDR after only seeing someone twice, she has 15 years experience so I am not sure if its over confidence or not having the full picture.....freaking out a bit.
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General Does Emdr Work?? Side Affects Are Super Strong....
- Post starter Amack
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Leah Morgan
Gold Member
I have been told I am point blank not allowed it unless absolutely nothing else works as it can make it it worse it its child hood and multiple traumas. But for some it can work and I think it gets worse before it gets better its to do with processing the memories with the logical side of the brain or something I hope he improves.
Kintsugi
Sponsor
From what little I know of EMDR having read about it here, that seems really quick. I'm pretty sure the basis of EMDR is a long process of steps, the first of which are slowly building and establishing trust, rapport, safety, etc. I think you have every reason to be concerned, even if she's the best EMDR T on the planet. I'd be asking a lot of questions about why she's moving so quickly with a therapy that is known to be volatile and potentially damaging when poorly executed.
KwanYingirl
Diamond Member
I've been interested in doing EMDR but my therapist won't do it. He said "first do no harm". I'm not very grounded and dissociate during sessions to the point that he won't even think about EMDR. I have many traumas throughout my life. Just a personal opinion, but I think his therapist should be taking time to establish where he's at.
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I absolutely agree. I did call but because of hippa it was a very one sided conversation......
I have multiple trauma including early childhood crap. Been in therapy on and off for 20 years. EMDR has been a key part of my therapy. The key to successful traditional emdr is the prework of grounding and setting safe places and practicing going there when things get rough - both during and after session. EMDR was highly effective in dealing with a rape. Traditional EMDR has not worked for early trauma for me. My current trauma specialist T uses the eye movements during Somatic Experiencing therapy. They work well. But its not walking through the trauma. It's more processing body feelings.
The grounding skills took about five sessions before I ever got to heavy trauma way back when. Without those skills, I can't imagine how I would have processed everything.
The grounding skills took about five sessions before I ever got to heavy trauma way back when. Without those skills, I can't imagine how I would have processed everything.
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- #8
He hasn't given permission yet, he "normally" has NO problem doing so. But like I said this therapist is very new.
Miss_Guided
New Here
I started EMDR recently for Complex PTSD (many small traumas). I'll have my 5th appointment tomorrow -- NOT 5th EMDR session. My first appointment was a basic QUICK history and why I was there and what I wanted to get out of my sessions with her. I did give her consent to discuss my history with another therapist that knew me well. EMDR is an 8 phase treatment.
Anyway...this is what my 50 minute appointments consisted of thus far:
1st) Brief history, current issues, what exactly brought me in, future expectations and discussion of EMDR including questions I had for her and/or therapy
2nd) EMDR Phase 1 - clinician took a run down of specifics in history, emotions & feelings for having the need for EMDR, past instances of those feelings, triggers, my coping mechanisms, and ending with positive thoughts of myself.
3rd) Phase 1 cont'd - Discussed future expectations. These all had to be in a positive light so anything I said negatively had to be turned around.
Phase 2 - This is preparation for reliving those memories. I was given 2 coping mechanisms that I had to do there and practice during the week.
4th) Phase 2 cont'd (Preparation) - Given one coping mechanism which is also my "calm/happy place" that has a code word for if I need it. With this coping mechanism, we used the EMDR instrument and practiced with a very MILD annoyance to see how I handled the coping mechanism she gave me.
I was supposed to be given 2 mechanisms that day, but I think my review of the week took longer than planned so I assume my next appointment will be another coping mechanism.
I haven't left any of my appointments in a bad mood. In fact, I'm usually happy because she makes sure I am on a positive note when I leave. That doesn't mean the rest of my week is perfect - because it's far from it. Weather affects my mood. When my thoughts start going, I get on my roller coaster, but I am trying to use the coping mechanisms when I can.
I also can tell you that my clinician said if someone attempts to just stop in the middle of EMDR once they start opening the major doors of trauma, then that can cause a lot more problems since you may open doors that you didn't know lay dormant in your mind.
I agree that the ground work has to be laid as a foundation before opening the doors of trauma and trusting the therapist is a major factor as well. She always checks how everything went between sessions and makes sure I'm feeling ok before leaving.
I'm hoping this works...I've read a lot of positive things about EMDR. I'm actually to the point of wondering what else is left for me if this doesn't work. I'm very motivated and have researched as much as possible so my therapist believes I will do really well. Every patient is different.
I hope that helps some.
Anyway...this is what my 50 minute appointments consisted of thus far:
1st) Brief history, current issues, what exactly brought me in, future expectations and discussion of EMDR including questions I had for her and/or therapy
2nd) EMDR Phase 1 - clinician took a run down of specifics in history, emotions & feelings for having the need for EMDR, past instances of those feelings, triggers, my coping mechanisms, and ending with positive thoughts of myself.
3rd) Phase 1 cont'd - Discussed future expectations. These all had to be in a positive light so anything I said negatively had to be turned around.
Phase 2 - This is preparation for reliving those memories. I was given 2 coping mechanisms that I had to do there and practice during the week.
4th) Phase 2 cont'd (Preparation) - Given one coping mechanism which is also my "calm/happy place" that has a code word for if I need it. With this coping mechanism, we used the EMDR instrument and practiced with a very MILD annoyance to see how I handled the coping mechanism she gave me.
I was supposed to be given 2 mechanisms that day, but I think my review of the week took longer than planned so I assume my next appointment will be another coping mechanism.
I haven't left any of my appointments in a bad mood. In fact, I'm usually happy because she makes sure I am on a positive note when I leave. That doesn't mean the rest of my week is perfect - because it's far from it. Weather affects my mood. When my thoughts start going, I get on my roller coaster, but I am trying to use the coping mechanisms when I can.
I also can tell you that my clinician said if someone attempts to just stop in the middle of EMDR once they start opening the major doors of trauma, then that can cause a lot more problems since you may open doors that you didn't know lay dormant in your mind.
I agree that the ground work has to be laid as a foundation before opening the doors of trauma and trusting the therapist is a major factor as well. She always checks how everything went between sessions and makes sure I'm feeling ok before leaving.
I'm hoping this works...I've read a lot of positive things about EMDR. I'm actually to the point of wondering what else is left for me if this doesn't work. I'm very motivated and have researched as much as possible so my therapist believes I will do really well. Every patient is different.
I hope that helps some.
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- #10
Thank yOU so much for taking the time to reply. It sounds like your therapist is kind and intuitive to the process. I hope my sufferers is as well, as he does not talk at all about much of anything perhaps, due to too many past hurts between us......:( I really appreciate all the advice. Your are brave and strong to face this head on!! prayers for many successes with the rest of healing.
Miss_Guided
New Here
You are very welcome. Something I didn't mention is that she did say things can (or will) get worse before they get better. She also said that she cannot guarantee anything in regards to my marriage. This therapy is for ME and even though he did hurt me, this isn't to repair my marriage. Not trying to scare you or be negative, but there is always a negative side to things we deal with. I did not tell my husband this because I don't want to worry him -- I know he's already concerned about me getting worse before getting better.
Hang in there as much as you can. Hopefully your guy will get through this as a different and better person than what he sees right now.
Thank you for the prayers...I'll send some for you also. :)
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