Emdr Or Talk Therapist?

[new gamma rays]

I am looking to see a new . . . somebody. But right now my two options besides my current therapist are a guy with more professional experience doing EMDR and a couple of other neuropsychological techniques that I am not familiar with at all (ETT and LENS). I am hesitant to see this guy a little bit, although I would prefer trying any kind of technique besides having to talk the whole session, because I am generally holding back a lot.

The one other promising prospect is someone who has only very recent therapy experience. I get the feeling he is only a year or so out of college for an MSW. But his bio seems more promising about dealing with trauma.
I am pretty much starting from scratch - my main trauma happened three years ago, is still fresh in my mind, and I have not had any chance to talk or deal with it anyway. For people starting out on trauma therapy, how long did it take to get into EMDR and was that helpful right away? Or is it better to establish a relationship with a more traditional talk therapist and talk about the trauma.

I have seen a therapist a couple of times but we have not really got into any trauma work and she's pretty young. There are a lot of long pauses where she doesn't really say anything and I am so slow it takes me a really long time to say anything. I want to try a different approach with someone else, but I really don't know what to expect.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Hi,
Is the LENS you are referring to a type of neurofeedback? There are so many acronyms that I just want to be sure. If so, approach with caution. LENS works for some, and makes others worse. I've done LENS twice and both times it caused terrible episodes. I'd try other types of neurofeedback first, ones which don't put an electrical pulse into your head.

 

[CVC]

My experience, for what it's worth: I had traditional talk therapy with my therapist for a few months before we attempted EMDR. I think I needed to first get to know her first before I could let my guard down enough for EMDR. Then again, this was EMDR where I was reporting out loud what I was thinking/feeling. If you get to keep this stuff to yourself during the session, it might be easier to do right off the bat.

Can you meet with both therapists? The most important aspect is a good fit, and you can't know that without meeting the person. Fresh out of school is not necessarily a bad thing--new therapists may be eager and energetic when it comes to tackling issues creatively. Trust your gut! And, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Think of the first sessions as an "interview" phase. If neither therapist feels right, then keep looking!

 

[Deleted member 18510]

I'm a therapist who uses EMDR therapy my primary psychotherapy treatment 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 therapy (certified by the EMDR International Association and trained by the EMDR Institute, both of which I strongly recommend in an EMDR therapist) I have used EMDR therapy successfully with panic disorders, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, body image, phobias, distressing memories, and bad dreams, DID, and many other problems. It's a very gentle method with no significant "down-side" so that in the hands of a professional EMDR therapist, there should be no freak-outs or worsening of day-to-day functioning. EMDR therapy has a ton of excellent research behind it validating its efficacy. I'd be wary of "therapies" that have no such research...

One of the initial phases (Phase 2) in EMDR therapy involves preparing for memory processing or desensitization (memory processing or desensitization - phases 3-6 - is often what is referred to as "EMDR" which is actually an 8-phase method of psychotherapy). In this phase resources are "front-loaded" so that you have a "floor" or "container" to help with processing the really hard stuff, as well as creating strategies if you're triggered in everyday life. 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.

In phase 2 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 therapy is that YOU, the client, are in control NOW, even though you weren’t in the past, during traumatic 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, or any method of bilateral stimulation that feels okay to you and your parts) 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 say just a bit of what you’re noticing, anything different, any changes. (The stimulation should not be kept on continuously, because there are specific procedures that need to be followed to process the memory). 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 therapy techniques that help make it the gentlest and safest way to detoxify bad life experiences and build resources.

Grounding exercises are essential. You 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). The book is 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 gives lots of really helpful ways that are used during EMDR therapy to calm disturbing thoughts and feelings.

In addition to my therapy practice, I roam the web looking for EMDR therapy 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.