What I’ve learned as an EMDR therapist over the past 11+ years
I've been an EMDR Therapist in Westchester, NY for over 11+ years now. So I've learned a thing or two throughout my experience doing EMDR therapy and consulting with other EMDR therapists on some of their toughest cases.
If I was a brand new EMDR therapist just starting out, these are some things I wish I would have known in the beginning:
Don't go crazy with different EMDR Protocols
Stop looking for a protocol for every specific symptom. The AIP model is designed to look at symptoms as incorrectly stored experiences that are causing a client to get triggered in the present day and experience those symptoms.
I still see a lot of EMDR therapists in facebook groups, etc., asking questions like, "what's a good protocol for using emdr for anxiety", or "does anyone know an emdr protocol for someone with chronic headaches?"
I was there once. I remember looking up the same questions in the beginning. But thankfully through additional trainings and regular, ongoing EMDR Consultation, I finally grasped the AIP Model for what it truly is: seeing symptoms as maladaptively stored memories.
Once we truly grasp this concept, then we as EMDR Therapist's don't need all those fancy protocols. All we need is to know what the current symptom is a float is back to earlier life experiences.
Be Flexible in your EMDR Therapy Approach
Be flexible. Stop trying to get your clients to fit an exact specific way of doing EMDR and modify the EMDR approach to meet your clients individual needs.
Francine Shapiro, the founder of EMDR therapy, has stated that she never meant EMDR to be a rigid set of protocols and procedures. It was originally discovered as a way to integrate all forms of psychotherapy, combined with a trauma-informed perspective, to create the most effective results in the shortest timeframe possible. She states, "The wisdom of all the psychology orientations is needed to make sure that no one is left behind." (Shapiro 2001)
The touchstone memory isn't always what it seems
As therapists, we're trained to assess and diagnose. But some of that traineing can get in the way of our work as EMDR therapists.
If clients come in saying, “I want to work on this memory because this memory is the problem”, we should still assess for the present day symptoms and do a float back / bridge back. Sometimes we think we know what memories are connected to the present day symptoms, and sometimes we’re totally surprised at what comes up instead when we do the float-back.
It's best to remain open and curious, both as clients of EMDR therapy, and as EMDR therapists ourselves, so the best possible treatment outcomes are possible.
Stay focused on the EMDR Therapy Treatment Goals
Don’t lose sight of the treatment goals. Sometimes things can get off topic, but it’s perfectly okay to reassess and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Our clients are human, just like we are as therapists. So a person may seek EMDR therapy for one thing, but then life happens, and you begin working on something else. This happens all the time and it's perfectly okay.
What I have found helpful is to just bring our awareness to that shift and ask the client what they want.
That would sound something like this: "I know you first came to therapy to work on ______, but today you're bringing up ______. Just so we're intentional with our time, is that what you want to focus on today? Or should we stick with what we've been working on?"
Phrasing it in this type of way helps create a conscious and intentional choice and helps clients increase their own self-awareness, as well as stay on top of what they truly need in that moment.
The importance of EMDR Consultation in the beginning stages
If you’re newly trained, GET CONSULTATION! Working with an EMDR approved consultant is working with someone who’s been there, someone who’s made mistakes, has the lived experiences and has real life examples and a broad frame of reference. This helps you get more practical application of emdr therapy as a whole and understand it on a deeper level from the educational content presented in basic trainings.
Just because someone is an EMDR therapist doesn’t meant necessarily mean they specialize in the areas you need help with. There are niches within EMDR therapy, such as eating disorders, chronic pain, addictions, first responders, children, etc., so make sure the therapist you meet with specializes in what you need help with.
If you’re an EMDR therapist and you want to learn more about consulting with me, click here to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we'd be a good fit to work together!
About Dana Carretta-Stein, EMDR Therapist & Consultant
Dana Carretta-Stein is a licensed mental health counselor and owner of Peaceful Living Mental Health Counseling, a trauma informed counseling practice in Scarsdale, NY. Dana is passionate about the importance of trauma informed care and the effect it has on emotional, physical and mental well-being. She loves to learn about and educate others on compassionate, evidence-based, and effective counseling interventions to help individuals of all ages achieve fulfilling relationships and optimal wellness.
Dana is a specialist and avid enthusiast of EMDR Therapy, one of the most effective evidenced based treatments for trauma, and uses it regularly in her practice. As an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, she provides consultation to other EMDR therapists across the globe to help them enhance their learning, confidence and skills as an EMDR Therapist.
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