Emdr - Are Daily Sessions Ok?

[NewBeginnings]

Ok - EMDR - I had no experiences with this until 3 days ago. My situation is atypical. A friend of mine is a psychologist and has been practicing for 20 + years. As circumstances unfolded over the years she learned a bit about me and some of my issues. And I have learned a lot about her challenges. We have developed a close and trusting friendship. She has been studying and recently trained in EMDR. She was very excited about this area of therapy and to gain some experience she has been working with a couple of people who are not her clients. She also approached me and very graciously let me know what she had been doing. She said she would really like to help me because she knows I struggle. She offered to work with me for free. I was so skeptical, didn't want to cross a boundary and put her in an awkward situation. I didn't want her to feel obligated or sorry for me or dismissive. That was a couple of months ago... fast forward to 3 days ago - I was chatting with her and she brought it up again and said if I wanted to she would really be interested in Having me try EMDR.
I agreed to talk about it and then decided to try it. I have had 2 sessions. While on one hand - the process is hard and intense and I just started, in a funny way it is ok and I think will be helpful in the long run. I see potential and we just started. She is very clear that she believes this is addition to my other therapy and not a replacement. I was surprised from one day to the next in the difference AND how a good image we brought up for me is in my head and is beginning to quietly calm the loud chatter in my head. It has been an experience. We did it 2 days in a row and can do it now a 3rd day. It feels ok but has anyone experienced daily or frequent sessions successfully?

Thanks.

 

[BlueOrange]

I didn't do daily sessions, but I did wiggle my eyes around unsupervised the next day. In hindsight, I probably would have been better off having a proper session.

 

[bygonebyways]

I, personally, wouldn't do back to back sessions. Have you talked to your other T about this? EMDR is very draining for me and the processing continues throughout the week. I'd worry that I wouldn't be giving my brain time to process and rest between sessions, because it is so intense. However, you and your T's would know your limits best. If you're feeling like it's helping and you're continuing to move forward, I don't see why you should have to slow down. Just make sure you're paying attention to how you're feeling.

 

[Briellewannabe]

Not very experienced with EDMR--I've only been to 3 sessions so far, including the intake--but I'm pretty sure that you are supposed to give your brain space and time to process that all. From all I've read, I cannot think of the source of this, but I'm nearly 100% sure that most do not do more than 1 session a week.

The fact you know this person can change things, but I'd still bring this up with her and or your therapist as well. Just to confirm. I've only read stuff online or heard from my EMDR therapist, but yours should have the training. Just ask.

 

[Muted]

We did it 2 days in a row and can do it now a 3rd day. It feels ok but has anyone experienced daily or frequent sessions successfully?

Yes, but mine have been at times longer sessions rather than consecutive days I think. I know they typically recommend once a week, but from my experience sometimes I get to the point I'm on overload and ready to process and it helps to keep going if time allows. It seems to allow me to clear better when I don't have the time pressure if I'm at that overload point. But, you can't always make it happen even if you have the time.

I think it's based on each individual and being in tune to where you're at and what you need. Outside factors, like job, family and current stressors can also greatly impact your tolerance level as well.

I think the more time you have to self care following EMDR, the more you can tolerate. EMDR can be challenging if you are dealing with other things in your life that are highly demanding.

 

[NewBeginnings]

Hi,
So I did a few sessions of EMDR this week but have some to recognize that we broke it into pieces and it was really targeting one of my trauma experiences and two highly positive experience in my life. It definitely brought things up for me but this process is amazing. As for the frequent sessions. - it has been at my pace and worked out very well.