Yet Another Question About Emdr (please Bear With Me )

[GardenGirl0214]

I know I've posted a lot about this lately, and I apologize, but I'm still very uncertain.

Today I had an EMDR consultation. The therapist seemed nice. She patiently answered all my questions. However, one of her answers has me quite concerned and I'm wondering if this is standard for EMDR therapy. I asked her if once we started the actual processing part, could we stop during the session I felt overwhelmed or extremely anxious? Her answer was an emphatic, "No!" She explained that once the processing starts, she wants to move very quickly through it. I told her that sounded extremely scary and overwhelming to me. She said that she makes sure that I'm ready before we even start the reprocessing part, which I knew because I'm reading the book Getting Past Your Past, by Francine Shapiro.

This therapist I saw today doesn't take my insurance, which I knew, but my regular therapist suggested I meet with her anyway to get an idea of how EMDR works. She knows of another EMDR therapist who does take my insurance, but she is further from where I live. My therapist is now encouraging me to contact that therapist. Before I do, I wanted to ask those of you who have done EMDR or are currently doing it whether or not your therapist encourages you to temporarily stop the processing part if it becomes too overwhelming. Im trying to find out if not stopping is standard procedure with EMDR or just the preference of the therapist?

 

[Fadeaway]

Oh god... if I needed to stop, my therapist would stop in a heart beat. I have a safe place I go too if I need to take a break, and if my T notices that I am getting distressed she will stop and have me go there until I am ready to continue. I am always reminded that I am in charge and that if I need to stop, we can stop. I haven't needed too though.

A proper response instead of saying no, should have been to explain to you that you would be given tools to help ground you if you get overwhelmed. That what to do, and whether or not to proceed would be worked out before hand. Did she mention Safe Place to you at all?

 

[Crow]

I think there's a break down in language. When things get overwhelming during processing my T guides me through the grounding techniques. This isn't considered stopping the processing but it is a break and i think in line to what you meant. This is the reason the grounding tools being developed is so essential. When you talk to the next therapist I'd suggest asking her to be more specific in her answers.

 

[GardenGirl0214]

@Fadeaway , she didn't mention a Safe Place at all, although she did say she'd give me resources to help ground me. Although her emphatic no was quickly followed by an explanation, it wasn't one with which I was satisfied. I always thought the client was in control? ?? I know that EMDR is different from CBT, but my current therapist always ĺets me take a break if I tell her my anxiety is too high. She encourages me to pick up where we left off in our next session, and we talk about what triggered me and how we can do things so that it's less triggering.

 

[Mytime]

I think the most important thing is, do you feel comfortable with this T? It wouldn't hurt to meet the other T, to see if you feel comfortable with them. Then pick.

In my experience with EMDR, which I am still doing. My T always try's to make sure I'm grounded before leaving my session. I came to a point where I was stuck, do to going into depression. My T did logosynthesis with me. Which moved some energy and I became unstuck. And we went back to EMDR.

EMDR has been great for me. It's been hard at times, very hard but I have been moving forward.

But everyone is different. My hubby's T stopped with him when he struggled with one of his egos. But I don't know much about that. Because he doesn't share much with me any more.

I don't know it this helps any. Sending:hugs: if you expect.

 

[GardenGirl0214]

@CrowFeather , thank you so much! That's very helpful to know.

 

[GardenGirl0214]

I think the most important thing is, do you feel comfortable with this T? It wouldn't hurt to meet the o...

Thank you for the hugs. I'll definitely accept them.

It's hard to say if I'd feel comfortable with the therapist I saw today. She seemed kind of business like, but maybe that's because it was just a consultation.

All your responses have been terrific. Thank you all.

 

[Mytime]

I would also like to say. After my session today, my anxiety is at 0. I had a huge brake through today.

 

[GardenGirl0214]

I would also like to say. After my session today, my anxiety is at 0. I had a huge brake through today....

That's awesome!

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Oh god... if I needed to stop, my therapist would stop in a heart beat.

Mine did, I stopped it in my freak out and he would anyway.

But I think whats she might be saying as it will likely be uncomfortable, she wants you to push past that as if you dont you wont get anywhere.

Remember that you are moving memories.

Now if you are uncomfortable, hold off. Because though I think what happened with me is an extreme example, it is an example of someone doing EMDR when not ready.

Im not trying to scare you, I actually like EMDR and recommend it but first you must make sure the therapist is well EMDR trained AND in what to do if something like what happened with me happens and someone you trust.

This sounds like a new person to you, personally I wouldnt be ok with that. I was already 5 or so yrs into therapy and he is the one that does the EMDR, I fully trust him and thats so important.

Also its important for them to know your back story as well anyway.

 

[angrypanda]

Standard emdr with those who are actually trained do a lot of grounding and always return to safe place. The moments of intensity don't last the whole hour. It's like we reach a point in the talking where I'm physically reacting or there's a super strong emotion. Yes, I want to stop but stopping at the scary parts doesn't reteach your brain. So my therapist will ask me to sit with that strong emotion and will have me focus on what my body is telling me while using bilateral tapping in my hands and a light bar. Only for about a minute then we breathe out of it. It honestly reminds me of contractions during childbirth. I think that may be what she meant by saying "no" to you. Once you reach the point of pain emdr stares right into it and teaches the brain to reprocess it instead of avoiding the pain.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

I think that may be what she meant by saying "no" to you. Once you reach the point of pain emdr stares right into it and teaches the brain to reprocess it instead of avoiding the pain.

Thats what im thinking too. If you dont go past those uncomfortable parts it doesnt do anything.