Therapist Dog

[Footie freak]

I had a therapy session yesterday, and my therapist was dog sitting. I knew this when I booked the session, and as a dog lover it was fine with me. The dog was so cute, a springer:poodle cross. She led on my lap through the whole session. Having her made me feel so much more relaxed, despite a hard EMDR session. I felt much calmer too. The trouble is, about an hour after the session I did not feel good at all. Flashbacks, so fidgety, head swirling so fast, my whole body restless - and felt like it was shaking inside - a feeling that I had never experienced before.
Is this normal??
Should I tell me therapist at the next appointment about it?

Any advice greatly received

 

[seedling]

I've had the shaking inside feeling before from EMDR, felt some of that today.

I had a session last night and was starting to get deeper in to a memory. I know I pushed pretty hard into it. I had a hard time sleeping last night, my body was tingling all over and it's with me today too. I'm spacey and tired, harder to focus at work.

Maybe because the dog helped you relax at the time, you went further and released more than you usually do.
I don't see any problem with discussing it with your therapist. I'd think your therapist would be familiar with different reactions to EMDR.

I remind myself to have a sense of caution with my EMDR, it brings things up so easily and quickly for me, I get eager but try to remember that it's a lot coming up all at once.

I think I'd love to have a dog on my lap during a session - I'm green with envy!

 

[calipopcorn]

Dogs are great!

 

[Born to Run]

Yes, definitively tell your therapist about it, it is important he/she knows this. Also jealous of the dog on your lap :meh:

 

[FindingMyself88]

My therapist won't let me bring Bristol, but I understand why. Bristol is trained to respond to my anxiety by trying to alleviate it which would distract from the process. But I am jealous!