Trauma Focused Cbt Vs Normal Cbt?

[PollyScotland]

Hello, I'm fairly new to this forum, but have found many of the threads very useful. :tup:

I currently see a therapist who uses CBT but recently we have discussed EMDR. If I don't want to (or can't) do EMDR he has also suggested Trauma Focused CBT. Does anyone have experience of this, and how does it differ from standard / normal CBT?

I have had a short session of EMDR - just working towards creating my safe place, but I really struggled with visualising. We discussed this at the end of the session, and he suggested that if he is not happy after the next session that all our preparations are firmly in place he'll recommend we not proceed further with EMDR. I agree with this, as one particular trauma has not been discussed with anyone other than my T. So if I become distressed outwith our EMDR sessions while "processing" I don't want to try explain to family members or work colleagues why I am distressed and am struggling to ground myself.

With thanks in advance for any replies.:cool:

 

[anthony]

TF-CBT is CBT that is trauma focused, meaning it looks at the rational, irrational and logic structure of your trauma thoughts causing you negative emotion.

CBT is a very broad umbrella term, and many therapies fall under it. Basically it is structured to rewire your negative thought patterns into neutral or positive patterns.

https://www.myptsd.com/threads/removing-therapy-type-confusion.15534/

 

[Fool me twice]

In my experience, EMDR took more than 2 sessions to get used to it. I'd question someone who gives you two chances to acclimate, but this is solely my POV.

Just good for thought: I know your family and circle must be worried. EMDR is a personal journey. I've chosen not to disclose what goes on in my therapy because I am at wits end, trusting my T. Before getting serious about therapy, I talked to friends and family a lot. They love me, but bottom line is they haven't been through it. I eventually contacted all four people who knew, and asked for their support without "you shoulds" and other well-intended, but hindering comments. They're supportive in my healing, however, it was necessary for me to stand up and say such (it's chaos hearing so many different opinions).

Anyway, I THOUGHT I'd been doing EMDR for about a month, come to find out, my T was slowly introducing it to me. I was taken aback (in a good way) when she proclaimed that we'd start real EMDR, after thinking that's what we'd been doing. In retrospect, it was helpful doing the "bunny slopes." I know this makes my T seem odd - and she is, bless her weird soul :) - but the slow introduction helped me learn how to "multitask," if you will. EMDR will come naturally the more you do it. It is hard the first few times, though.

It IS hard to do EMDR, focus on the actual therapy, think about the feelings and images, try not to wonder what T is thinking. It's hard. But with a little practice, I've seen exponential benefits in a very short period of time.

I left TF-CBT because I wasn't getting anywhere. I needed results; I'd been in TF-CBT for a year and a half. Most if that time was spent keeping me sane (I was stalked). Now that I've moved away, I'm picking up the pieces and CBT of any form just doesn't do it anymore.

EMDR is a strange thing. No one is sure exactly how it works, but it does (on most people).

I feel for your conundrum; finding good therapy is hard.

In closing, I'll add that my last TF-CBT told me she purposely works slowly. That wasn't what I wanted. I "quit" her, and she was so supportive. I guess it depends on your therapy goals and expectations.

I hope this helps. Best of luck to you.

 

[anthony]

EMDR is a strange thing. No one is sure exactly how it works, but it does

Yer they do... EMDR is a form of exposure therapy. Whilst many practitioners will try and cite Shapiro's undocumented, theoretical framework, the majority of experts have enough substantiated evidence to state it's just another form of exposure therapy. The person is exposed via only their thoughts of the memory, instead of writing it out over and over, adding to it, or recording it, listening, adding, repeat... all forms of exposure therapy change fragmented memories into complete memories, then put them away as complete without as much negative stigma, as you have pretty much also desensitised yourself to the memory via the process.

 

[anthony]

A combination of therapies is typically the answer to treating PTSD, not one over another.

 

[PollyScotland]

Thank you both for your replies. I've not been díagnosed with PTSD, but see my T for GAD, low self esteem, poor body image and several similar things.

We've been working on my negative thought patterns and constant worrying using CBT for 18 months now. I only see him every four weeks or so, so it is slow progress. I felt like I reached a plateau so we discussed trying emdr. He isn't suggesting we drop it after two sessions if I can't establish my safe place, he just stated that he would not be happy to continue further if he felt I could not cope when processing.

If this is the case then we look at other options: either alternate coping mechanisms or a different type of therapy.

I said to him that I struggled to believe the safe place image I was creating. It wasn't a real place that I had visited, so I was making up something which made it difficult. We couldn't come up with a place in real life that didn't have ties to other memories or people. This coupled with my self consciousness was the reason I struggled I think. So my homework has been to work on a safe place in my own time and at my own pace. I think I have one!! My next appointment is the 12th so we will see how things go. :)