EMDR Therapy: Self-Administered, Virtual, or In-Person | Which is Best For You?

[@kanguruster]

I did EMDR with a psychologist more or less weekly for six months. My difficult memories were defused, removing any emotional power they had over me. I'd say it worked just like magic; no effort required, no practice needed (it's so powerful it should be taught to everyone in high school in the same way mindfulness should be taught to everyone in primary school). I spent 50 years learning to minimise, deny and forget (however imperfectly), so I might have left behind traumas that still must be dealt with. Three years after the EMDR therapy, I've come to understand the traumas of living while traumatised (maladaptations that are no longer necessary as the initial injury has been repaired) require some work (though not necessarily through EMDR). There is so much more freedom in my life now I'm not so fixated on avoiding triggers, and much more capability to understand and change myself.

[@sizzling_rozes]

Do you have the name of the psychologist? I want to contact them bc all the therapists in my area are not well versed in emdr. I’ve tried 3 to no avail. I love how you say maladaptions that are no longer necessary as the original injury has been repaired. I feel really trapped with one maladaptive behavior and would love to see what I can do to improve towards that freedom you speak about.

[@poison_plays]

I’m waitlisted to begin EMDR with a therapist this fall and I’m excited to start. I have CPTSD and I’m very hopeful EMDR will help me process my trauma in ways CBT and DBT alone have not been able to. I’ve considered trying virtual or self-directed, online EMDR in the meantime, and having watched your video, I think I will wait and start with the therapist, since this will be my first experience with EMDR. I feel more confident I will get the most benefit and learn how best to utilize the therapy with direction from an professional. Thank you so much for making this video! This is invaluable information for someone like me.

[@inthevortex-de1rh]

I haven't watched this video yet but I just gave you a like! I know that you are amazing already ❤️😻❤

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Wow, thank you! 😀❤

[@celestegarvey-petsch8303]

Friendly Question: EMDR creates rapid resolution of trauma. Excellent therapy tool. I did EMDR for many years with an excellent therapist. We used all the modes, imagery, colors, sounds, visuals of therapists patterned hand movements in front of my eyes,, tapping patterns on my body etc. Currently I have one of the bilateral machines we used ( left right ear buds with the corresponding hand buzzers to coordinate with the left right sounds) My therapist said doing the bilateral work is not EMDR it is bilateral processing. My experienced ( and his) is EMDR involves a specific protocol involving questions. How is EMDR self administered in your process or is this bilateral processing ? Thanks. :)

[@astraetluna]

I found out I have DID 5 months ago! I also tried to self EmDR to get rid of my persecutor. It gave me migraines and panic attacks for a week! It didn’t work she’s still here😂 probably not a good idea! I just wanted to get rid of my DID asap!

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

DID usually is related to complex trauma, and does take a while to work through. There are some EMDR therapists who specialize with dissociation... I'd want to make sure they have some experience with dissociation even if they are emdr trained.... Wishing you health and healing.

[@astraetluna]

@@BarbaraHeffernan yeah my counselor is a specialist with emdr (trauma and DID) she said she suspected I had it but a part would deny it and get angry when she asked us certain questions. I was like this wayyyy before I ever set foot in therapy I just thought she’d toss us in the loony bin if I told her what I was experiencing. I just wanted to speed things up with my bootleg emdr because the parts scare me 😟 they are sentient and think and talk to me like anyone. So of course I was scared witless. Other than that I have memory issues. I think I’m normal and no one would ever know I had this it’s very discreet it hid even from me until 5 months ago the parts started talking directly to me.

[@astraetluna]

@@BarbaraHeffernan thanks 🙏 yeah I’ll trust my counselor and not try that again. I just have to accept this is what I’m dealing with and do my best to listen.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

I wish you health and healing.... Thank you for sharing, this is important ❤

[@lisalambert81865]

I had a memory from when I was twelve that really bothered me and I couldn’t understand where the people that lived in my home were, cause someone was always home. With EMDR I was able to face the whole memory. I was twelve and two of my uncles were molesting me and water boarding me at the same time, with EMDR I was able to remember my mom standing there, watching, not moving, not helping me, just standing there. With therapy I was able to see and acknowledge that my mom was stock, she was frozen, cause bad things happened to her and her sisters in her family (dad and brothers). Do she was unable to help me because she was traumatized herself and being triggered.

[@Feline-philosopher]

That was pretty awefull hear, hope you feel safer now..

[@lisalambert81865]

@@Feline-philosopher thank you, I do.

[@SwimminWitDaFishies]

Wow, there's always something new to learn and more tools in the bag of tricks! I find the field of psychology fascinating, and I feel so much empathy for those who are struggling and trying to find relief! I will be scouring the internet for more information on this topic - thank you for sharing this on your channel. Knowledge is power! 🌺

[@charletestes2299]

I was told EMDR was not recommended for persons with migrane. I do, however, use the bilateral music with headphones, and it relieves

[@nevadatan7323]

If you get migraines, try sleeping with a flexible mouth guard at night, (or through the day if necessary) I used to get severe reoccurring migraines with visual disturbance I had tried medications, dietary and lifestyle changes, contraceptive hormones... everything Turns out it was caused by tension in the jaw from unconscious teethgrinding at night [probably related to trauma!] I know it sounds wacky but it stopped my migraines immediately... there's scientific research behind it. Maybe if you find it cures you of migraine you'll be able to try EMDR finally. But they may have only said its unsuitable if they used a light bar to follow with your eyes... however I'm pretty sure there are other techniques that they can use, such as tapping left and right side of the body. Certain flashing lights can obvs trigger the visual aura of migraine to start, but perhaps shop around for another therapist with a variety of techniques _besides_ the light bars? Good luck!

[@teresamessenger5399]

I was dating a narcissist who love bombed then tried to control me, then tossed me away...all beside the point. My question is do narcissist dream?? He doesn't dream. Falls asleep easily, sleeps 5 or 6 hours and doesn't dream. Never has. Is it anything to do with being a highly narcissistic narcissist?

[@charletestes2299]

I also dated a narcissist who claimed to be unable to dream. I thought it was unique to him because he had a childhood injury to the forehead, but maybe it could be something to do with the portion of the brain that processes emotion and empathy? If yours was anything like him, be glad he discarded you early on. ❤

[@msudawgma]

He didn't discard you he discarded a piece of himself. I have had hits to my head throughout my life, and I have never lacked empathy for others, quite the opposite. And I not only dream, I dream in color sometimes. And remember a lot of the dreams when I awaken. God Bless!

[@hananahbanana9375]

Hello, can I ask if you are financially benefiting from promoting virtualEMDR on this video?

[@judeabboud]

How do you do emdr on yourself if you blocked out memories?

[@mdd1128]

I am doing EMDR on my own and by the 2nd day on a problem I loose the entire session. How can I find it again without starting over?

[@singtothelord72]

Do you know anyone in the Dallas TX area that does this that takes medicare?

[@chuck3999]

I'm extremely happy for all the people who seem to have benefited from the EMDR process. However, I still don't believe that it works for everyone. Personally, for myself I think that Interpersonal psychotherapy would have worked better for me.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Yes, it doesn't work for everyone. Also, emdr is the same as other therapies in that the fit with the therapist is super important! I wish you health and healing :)

[@lisalambert81865]

That’s the great thing is there are so many types of therapy and that not all things work for everyone. I can only do the paddle type of EMDR. But also just talking it out helps me as well, depends on the day or the problem that I’m processing.

[@Olofo_olofsson]

Yes indeed, it's so individual. For me somatic experiencing has fitted like a glove, with some profound benefits. But I have heard from others who got nothing out of it.

[@twinflames_111]

I had a veeery long resoursing stage

[@gnk50kimchi]

I enjoy your videos but they are very hard to hear. In future recordings please find a way to turn up your volume. I have all mine at max levels and if there’s any external noise I can’t hear your discussion. 😂

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Thank you for letting me know... I think usually my volume is ok, but I will check this one out!

[@msudawgma]

Attach a speaker.

[@HappyNpeaceful]

@@BarbaraHeffernanThank you for this video. The volume works perfect. Occasionally people have issues with their own devices or device settings and feel a need to 'Educate' the video maker about their projection of volume issues. I listened on less than half volume and could hear absolutely clearly 👍

[@ArtisticMysticSoul]

EMDR is dangerous and should absolutely NOT be used for people who dissociate, or God forbid, have DID. The results could be disastrous. It should also really not be used for those with complex trauma, as it can re-traumatize and make things worse. That's what happened to me, and another therapist STILL tried to pressure me into trying again! Also, the whole idea of negative and positive core beliefs around a trauma is ridiculous. A trauma memory is just that. A memory. How can you have a belief about a memory? This terrible thing happened to me, but the problem is my belief about it, not the thing that happened? What? How does that even make sense?