Emdr not clinically indicated for cptsd?

[Eyessoblue]

Hi Libby, yes I can like you look back and see how much it's helped me and definitely benefited me massively in so many areas which is why I'm keen to have more but with the same therapist I had originally if the nhs allow me back....
I hope you're doing ok.x

[Blueberry]

I am not a psychologist but FWIW my sense is that EMDR can help to deal with specific issues/memories, but b/c our trauma is cumulative and layered (in contrast to PTSD), it can stir up other trauma.  As such, EMDR may need to be longer term that the usual 6-8 sessions with PTSD and need extra/continuous work on grounding & safety.   And as you wrote San, the T must be aware of the differences between PTSD and Complex PTSD and trained/experienced in how to deal with these differences. 

In the end more research about EMDR for Complex PTSD would help sort this.

 

I wouldn't consider doing EMDR with a therapist who is not cptsd-trained never mind trauma-informed. I realise that unfortunately some countries' medical systems don't allow patients to be that picky, but mine does. I also have the good luck that EMDR (or whatever trauma processing I'm doing) is integrated into a greater plan and I may well be in weekly therapy with the same therapist for 2 years or more. I suppose what people refer to as 'talk therapy' on here is part of that.

I'm bumping this old thread because of a question about EMDR; there is useful information and experience on this thread. It was good for me to read too since I'm hoping my current T will consider EMDR with me. My old trauma T was too wary to do it with me. He tried brain-spotting once but it had no effect, I didn't react at all. I think he said it was too early.

I'm also interested to read other people's reactions and progress using EMDR on here. Because some of those sound mighty similar to what I've experienced during other methods of trauma-processing. Especially similar to what Surviving mentions about the memories still being there but the emotions around those being reduced or removed. That was what a lot of the imagination work I call 'screen processing' did for me. Idk if it's a known method even in my country. It's possible my old trauma therapist adapted a somewhat similar method especially for me.

[dollyvee]

Hi Blueberry,

Thanks for bumping this. It's interesting to read how peoples' memories are stored like the and the anxiety around them, where you're not sure if it's really real etc, and how some people experienced it as "not doing much." Perhaps this is the same arena as you're talking about? I find that I have memories of events but there is no emotion connected to them ie yes, my m did used to go out at night and leave me home alone when I was six/seven, but this was just a thing that happened. I didn't remember how I felt about it at the time. It's interesting when emotions show up as well as they're usually disconnected from "recognition" ie I' feeling x because of x. I think this form of cognition, or possibly "control" is why I'm reluctant to do DBR (a deeper (?) form of EMDR).

When I have done EMDR in the past, I've had a lot of physical reactions (shaking etc) that just seem to come up and aren't necessarily tied to a cognitive memory either. I guess part of the "challenge" is to stay with the fright/fear (?) that is coming up in the body.

I went back through the thread as I was interested to hear Surviving's comments as well and I think perhaps they were referring to what happens after EMDR where the memory comes up and you don't have a reaction to it?

dolly

[Little2Nothing]

Blueberry,  I have read t b rough some of this from the beginning and it is tremendously helpful. I don't have time, at the moment, to really dive in, but thank you so much for bumping this!!!!

I will spend some time later today looking at the links and reading the comments. Again, thnks!!!!!!

[sanmagic7]

hi, all,

as many of you know, i'm trained in EMDR and have utilized an EMDR-trained therapist for the past 5+ yrs. altho it was bumpy at times, mainly cuz of my alexithymia (which she was uninformed about, so i had to explain it to her, and what some of my extra emotions/body responses were all about) i found EMDR to be massively helpful.  and, yes, it was integrated with talk therapy, which i was able to use as a stabilizing component and for realization moments.

we did have to adjust some of the EMDR processing to accommodate my too-much emotional/body responses, and that was done via the 'flash' technique - still EMDR protocol and realm, but it helps bypass emotional 'flooding' that can be overwhelming. it also helped reduce the terrible body responses i'd have due to too much of an emotion or many emotions being released at once.

i agree w/ what was written about EMDR and complex trauma - it can take longer than the 6-8 weeks often referred to when talking about trauma therapy.  EMDR was originally tailored for PTSD - the idea of ongoing/relational trauma is still not always understood in the therapy world. luckily i had a therapist who was familiar, altho not fully informed, but was willing to learn.  i have made a lot of progress in the past 5 yrs. and, for one, am not gobbling down meds anymore in order to get thru a day. big difference.

tailoring therapy to the individual is key, in my opinion. having a therapist who is willing to look outside the box, listen, listen, listen to their client, and adjust accordingly is so important.  therapists are supposed to be guides to helping us get to our goals, support systems, and someone who is doing everything possible to help us overcome and heal from our traumas.  that includes admitting some trauma is beyond their skill set, and referring a client to a therapist more in line w/ their particular needs. and, as far as i know, the client is never wrong. if the therapy isn't working out, it's not the client's fault. something w/in the realm of the therapy needs adjusting.

if there are any questions, feel free.  EMDR is all about the client, and begins when they walk thru the door. if you are uncomfortable with the way the eye movements are being done, it's ok to speak up, ask for an alternate.  some people can't tolerate them at all (light machine, moving fingers, wand, etc.) and alternate tapping on hands, knees, or even by the client doing it themselves on their armrests, etc. is also productive.  it's very adapting and adaptive, and there are several protocols in the EMDR realm which have been used with success, such as 'flash' mentioned above, or progressive counting. there may be more i'm not aware of.

i'm only speaking from my experience as a client and a therapist, and what i wrote are only my opinions. EMDR may not be for everyone. i hope it is helpful to anyone who gives it a go. best to everyone here.  love and hugs

[Kizzie]

Just wanted to say that my post is only my opinion of EMDR (i.e., I'm not a professional), and since writing that post in 2019 I've met a few people who have had good success with EMDR. One is a professional actually working in the field of trauma and they speak highly of the results for them.

I think now that professionals are becoming more knowledgeable about CPTSD and trained to treat it, it's less of a hit or miss therapy. The first two times I tried it there was no grounding work done and I was left to my own devices afterwards. I was quite badly triggered. I then tried again with a different T who used it quite a lot with PTSD. The number of sessions was still shorter than I would have liked because we targeted a specific traumatic issue I was having, and overall it did help with the issue. She did the safety/grounding work with me and no big triggering this time.

So, I would suggest it's best to read up on EMDR like any approach and also find out how experienced your T is in treating CPTSD.