EMDR Therapy Session

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Ever wonder what an EMDR session is really like? Curious what we have to do before we get into reprocessing? Today my good friend, psychologist, and trauma specialist Dr. Alexa Altman walks me through a real EMDR session, asking me to come up with resources to protect me during the process. I was surprised at how powerful this style of therapy is and how quickly I was able to dive into my past. I know getting into therapy (especially for trauma work) is scary and can be difficult, and I hope seeing it play out gives you the strength to reach out and get the help that you need. xox
I'm Kati Morton, a licensed therapist making Mental Health videos!
#katimorton #therapist #therapy
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[@emilyann4549]

Emdr gave me dissociative symptoms and bad anxiety. My therapist wanted it to work so badly, that he seemed to be completely ignoring how uncomfortable I was. If you're a therapist reading this, keep in mind this may not work for everybody and you shouldn't push people with trauma to do something that isn't helping them.

[@BigPhil2024]

EMDR won't traumatise you, but reveal whats already there. Therapists are meant to screen for dissociation (using the DES) before processing, and stop when a client signals stop. I imagine the problem has been the therapist and I'm sorry to hear you suffered.

[@Gemmarose9012]

You’re correct, it does not work for everyone. It didn’t work for me. There are therapists who swear this is the be all end all for those of us with C-PTSD but it’s not a one size fits all. EDMR can be a quick fix option but for me I had to go slow with a completely different approach.

[@brittanybronson2351]

Me and my therapist tried this but it didn’t work for w

[@XOXO123456789]

In case of CPTSD (so complex trauma) you might want to look into: Somatic Experiencing, NARM therapy & Internal Family Systems (IFS)!

[@XOXO123456789]

In case of CPTSD (so complex trauma) you might want to look into: Somatic Experiencing, NARM therapy & Internal Family Systems (IFS)!

[@coolcoolercoolest212]

Realizing the throw pillow on the couch was actually a cute dog halfway through the video was a nice experience.

[@scottland906]

The most realistic part of this video is how Kati laughed about her fear of her book being hated and the therapist not responding with a smile or a laugh. Its truly a no judgement zone and a lot of us when talking about our struggles tend to self-depricate or make light of our feelings. Therapy is a really empowering thing when you realize that your therapist genuinely views your individual struggles as serious. Out of therapy -- if Kati said "yeah I'm worried about my book being hated haha" she'd likely get a smile and a brush-off of "ahh no it's gonna be fine". As supportive as that is, it doesn't get to the root of our beliefs about ourself. Again, great video and thanks for being vulnerable in this session.

[@markbr5898]

Actually, she DID smile around 3:26 (a half-smile). But the smile was accompanied by an empathetic nodding of the head.

[@markoredano9141]

The therapist LITERALLY smiled when she said that.

[@katiebwheeler]

LoveLoveLove EMDR, was life changing for me!!!!!! Severe c-ptsd symptoms that made basic daily existing and caring for myself feel impossible. Night and day difference to what my life looks like today. So thankful my counselor suggested it!

[@jessicalockhart1400]

How long were you doing Emdr before you start noticing changes?

[@rad4805]

Wow for real? I relate to what you say, for you personally did it take a number of years to feel like your normal self?

[@katiebwheeler]

@@rad4805 after about 6months of EMDR I felt like a whole person again…

[@rad4805]

@@katiebwheeler Wow this gives me a lot of hope! Tysm

[@jmkcr]

😊

[@TheExplodingGerbil]

EMDR treated my agoraphobia and ptsd from an assault. The incident happened 10 yrs ago, I had just 7 sessions this summer. Changed my life. This video is in line with my experiences, however it is hard core in real life and take their advice- takr the rest of the day off work afterwards of you can. V good example though. May I just say Katie, you did a fab job explaining it, bringing on a specialist to give an example session and you being the guinea pig! Thanku. I say to other viewers suffering from trauma and are considering it, please give it a try. Symptoms may never fully disappear, but they do improve, and even that's gotta be worth it. Blessings xx

[@d.2542]

Hope you’re doing amazing❤️ I would love to try this if it was in my country, since I already gone through shit tons of physical trauma when i was a child and other stuff

[@lauramonahan5747]

Thank you for sharing your comment. I developed a severe ptsd 6 years ago. I am to start EMDR treatment soon, after many other types of treatment therapy. I am hopeful but uncertain. Even after watching this video now I am very unsure if I am capable. I can try. I want it to help but I am also scared of another disappointment.

[@autumncortez6254]

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. In case someone didn’t know, like I didn’t.

[@Lmartinezwilliams]

Thank you 😆!!!

[@anitaa.9633]

Congratulations on 1M subscribers Kati! You are great! keep on the good job. You’ve been really helpfull through the years and also very consistent with your videos. Thanks for all you’ve done

[@abrahamsculley9508]

You are amazing, Kati! Thank you for doing this.

[@AGirlNamedBlu]

Thank you both.

[@dezyluvbug]

Way to go Katie, thanks for sharing this with us

[@nataliehilton2661]

You are amazing thank you for all you do

[@christym.6529]

This is an interesting series on EMDR. Thanks for doing an example for us Kati, that was very helpful. And you are smart, kind & enough! ❤️😊

[@kierstenX]

Kati is so sweet. It was so genuine when she expressed her fears about her book 💚

[@jodiramberg707]

Thank you for making this video!! I am an EMDR therapist and I have looked for a video to explain EMDR to my clients. This will be perfect for that!!!

[@MrQuise1234]

Sensational video ! Gives a eye opening insider view on EMDR. Thank you for the guts to be vulnerable . This is a huge value to others , myself included .

[@missrebeccay]

Thank you for this video. I've tried EMDR a few times last year and doing it again currently with the same therapist. I find I tend to shut down my emotions, so EMDR can be tricky for me at times. But I find the more I talk about the situation and what happened, the easier it is for me to feel. EMDR is an interesting therapy! Im keen to keep trying it.

[@lizamarshall7506]

Thanks so much for sharing and letting us see you. You both... ❤

[@Kerala312]

Thank you so much for sharing this video. This was incredibly helpful and I so appreciate you both for making this.

[@stratstar1940]

This was very helpful! I applied it to my situation pausing here and there with my emotions and questions and feelings. I can breath now and i feel lighter..thanks ladies

[@GodiscomingBhappy]

showing ones vulnerability actually shows a TRUE courage. awesome video. thx

[@shahadhamid802]

Thank you Kati for being vulnerable this session gave me a better idea of what EMDR is like

[@sanecatlady]

I haven't done EMDR in almost a decade and I'm willing to give it another try. It was exhausting and tough but I think it helped me process what happened and move on from it

[@gingerharrison9277]

Thank you for providing a brief overview of EMDR. Your brief video provided enough info that it brought me to tears just watching you go through the demo for viewers. My doctor and therapist believe this type of treatment will help me, but I’m doing my research and learning more before leaving my amazing therapist to try EMDR. Your video was very informative. Thank you

[@357Dejavu]

I love EMDR! It helped me a lot when I was younger and when I became a therapist my self I got EMDR trained and then certified. I do like it a lot!

[@JoeBidenIsMyDaddy]

you’re an inward

[@lexi_catherine]

i am starting my emdr process tomorrow and have been endlessly looking for resources 😅 this was very helpful to me and i feel a bit more at ease watching someone else do it since i learn better by visuals. i've done talk therapy for over 3 years now, and it was helpful at the time, but it's no longer giving me progress. thank you for being vulnerable during this. it takes a lot of courage to give this to us and i know i definitely appreciated this. ❤ i'm looking forward to the next step in my healing.

[@seannarenee]

Good luck 🫶🏼

[@treyxna]

how is it going??? :) my wife just mentioned it to me

[@djjypsee]

Thank you for providing this for people to see what it is so that people can make better decisions.

[@nancyliston7712]

I did my own little emdr season parallel to yours and experienced a little physical pain relief in my back and was able to feel an old memory and also connect to why it was so “up” and triggered right now. Thanks for sharing this. I can’t afford therapy. I use the cbt bloom app and it helps lower some anxiety and stress an depression in particular with work and self compassion. And I love a lot of the psychology KZbin Chanel’s and always pursue healing and have a larger capacity to contain Hope and faith. ❤️

[@scottland906]

Great video. I just finished a session a couple days ago. It is insane how much this actually works. I deal with lots of ruminating thoughts and re-living old traumatic experiences. My therapist recommended this route and that memory we worked on genuinely no longer affects me. Whenever I think of it, I am reminded of the belief about myself being changed to a positive one. It is really hard to open up and be vulnerable about past experiences but wow I couldn't recommend trying this strongly enough if you have the ability. edit: It does feel like you're doing it "wrong" when you first go through it. Very untraditional and if your mind has the tendency to wander your therapist will guide you back to the memory and the beliefs associated with it in a kind way.

[@Sarahhedger]

I had EMDR in 2018 it was so damaging for me, I have a rare sleep disorder so the weekly sessions were too much I couldn’t focus. I asked to have them every 2 weeks and he wouldn’t. So after 10 sessions I was left with all these traumas that I didn’t think too much about before, they really fucked me up. I’ve been seeing my therapist almost 7 years and she suggested it so I took a break while seeing the emdr specialist. I immediately went back to seeing her after but I’m still not quite over some of the things that were brought up. I know EMDR can be great for some people but it’s definitely not for everyone.

[@nylakhan5658]

What symptoms do you suffer from have you tried contrast showers

[@Sarahhedger]

@@nylakhan5658 I’m a lot better now as I still see my normal therapist once a month, after the EMDR it just opened up a lot and was left so it took me a good year and a half to unpack it with my regular therapist. Unfortunately with my sleep it makes doing anything that has to be done regularly impossible, as the time I fall asleep and wake up change an hour or so every day. I’ve never heard of contrast showers what are they?

[@betterworld2958]

@@Sarahhedger I hear what you are saying. If we have repressed memories they are repressed for a reason and this is why I am hesistant about EMDR myself. It also makes sense things can get worse before they get better and maybe it would have helped to continue processing.

[@Sarahhedger]

@@betterworld2958 I know for some people it works well, my sleep disorder is far worse now so I’d never be able to do weekly sessions. I think you just have to try it and see if it’s a good fit for you.

[@joannejohnston1907]

Amen

[@starztina]

HI ladies, The past few weeks have been challenging and it just seemed to be getting worse. i texted my therapist this morning and the past week i have been doing all the things with no help. journaling, yoga and meditaion. anyway my client does emdr therapy. she sent me a video about it and after watching it your video popped up. I did it. I have many trauma and tragedies. (traumedy). the biggest one is the murder of my 21 year old son and next month will mark 8 years. i am/was ok am nervous about it. anyway to the point i did your video and when i did the tapping it instantly made me feel better. i think my brain had something else to think about besides that pain. thank you soo much ladies

[@_just_TK]

Ironically I just started EMDR* & this series has matched my progress exactly!! This has been SO helpful! *Turns out 20yrs of CBT/DBT isn’t enough to even scratch the surface of my boundary & attachment issues 😩

[@serenacross2969]

yes

[@amyk9813]

Did EMDR work for you would you say?

[@beckyverner]

Thank you for this video!!

[@gracevictor5782]

I also had an experience like that with a cruel stepfather. However, my mom was the rescuer. I wrote a book and saw the influence it had on that venture. ( not feeling comfortable asking for the cost of the book and feeling more comfortable giving them away) Listening to you saying that her dad was there as a resource, made me realize that my mom was there as a resource. For example, he would give my siblings coins and not me and mocked me for crying. I also later realize that he manipulated others and did negative things to them, and he could not get to me because I was a strong willed child. So him giving them coins and not me, making me feel that I did not deserve money, was an attempt to break me down which he did not succeed in doing. Now that we are adults , the girls that he broke down are angry about their serious / secret types of abuse from him. One can never stop learning EMDR. Today as I sit looking at your demo, I am just saying, my gosh, God and my mom was there as a resource so now God and the world is here for me as my resource. My New Reality ❤❤❤❤

[@rachelb.2014]

Thanks, this was really helpful!

[@RK-qk7ow]

What a comfort being in a company of Dr Alexa. That's what regulated nervous system looks like to me ☺️ Thank you ✨

[@adrianmiles7678]

I find my executive functioning is gone after 10 rounds of processing in a session, gotta eat and nap afterwards. The processing is also working in ur subconscious so you have to fully immerse yourself in the emotions involved in the memory or else you won’t be trimming the memory network with the tapping. For me it takes about 4-6 weeks for integration after EMDR and I feel lobotomised constantly when I’m in a processing cycle, but then we swap back into the mapping cycle and I’m good again. As hard as it is sometimes, I love it cos when I get back into mapping, I can see and feel the huge steps forward I’m making!

[@mackfam9798]

this was good thanks for posting this

[@myname3065]

It helped me at the time I had a respectful therapist who knew not to push anything on any one it's personal yes this does help depends on how okay someone is to be able to have safe boundaries they basically are there to affirm what wasn't affirmed during the abuse and the side affects from the abuse that has traumatized one for years

[@a.i.m.e.e]

8:43 this moment was so sweet! 💕 Just little moments taking care of each other haha aww! Also thank you for the video!

[@Xplreli]

This definitely looks like something I need. Thank you for this video. Important for people too be informed the different types of therapy out there.

[@juicyfruit17]

I'm about to start EMDR and this is an incredible experience to witness. I'm kinda nervous about trying but also very excited to be on a new therapeutic path, hoping I can start improving. So this really demystified the process, the jargon, the possibilities. Thank you both so much💜

[@TheRockMorton]

Thank you for your excellent way of describing the EMDR process in this video. Many years ago I was skeptical at first, but quickly learned that EMDR could successfully treat an unhealthy memory in me. I had a traumatic experience in childhood that continued to haunt me as an adult. It took only one EMDR session to stop the target memory from haunting me. As I write this comment, I do not re-live the memory in my mind or have side-effects in my body from the memory. I have no interest in the memory whatsoever. EMDR has been effective in treating other trauma events in my life. I forgot to mention that the light bar and hand vibe devices were also used in addition to the tapping demo in this video.

[@lucky13driver]

Wow eye opening.

[@SavedbyGod_]

EMDR was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had - so grateful, so helpful! Thank you for a great video, the information, and vulnerability! 🙌🏻

[@Zapdos97]

Yelling coaches was a thing for me too! I loved playing football growing up so I stuck around. Plus I had friends to play with. I remember every time practice or a game would end I felt a huge sigh of relief. Obviously the coaches were never being malicious, but my young brain took it that way. Performance anxiety? That fear has carried on to my adulthood, preventing me from getting a job. I just started therapy a few months ago and it's been great. My therapist is awesome

[@guskoerner75]

I had my first EMDR session yesterday and it was enlightening, therapeutic, and similar to what you demonstrated. I'm looking forward to my next session. Kati, thank you for opening up like that. Great job to you both.

[@jackilove523]

Thank you

[@tylertyler82]

You’re welcome.

[@ChicagoRobert]

How did it all work out for you? Was it helpful?

[@guskoerner75]

@@ChicagoRobert It was very helpful.

[@ChicagoRobert]

thank you for you reply. @@guskoerner75

[@courage2breakfree]

Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing this with us and going through this experience to show others. I have thought about this and wondered if I wanted to look into it. I see other kinds of therapies. I don’t Know with my level of all the trauma I have experienced if this would help me or not but thank you for sharing. I love your videos.❤️

[@sandrasantori224]

As a Therapist using EMDR with patients and going thru EMDR myself for a phobia, I highly recommend this technique! The relief is enormous!

[@lisagonzalez3861]

I tried tapping and it made cry so much...i do want to cure my generalized anxiety disorder and panic and phobias

[@lisagonzalez3861]

But I did not tap like that I did it the way Ortner does... side of hand then sife of eyes under eyes etc

[@LiVeLaUgHLoVe437]

EMDR has changed my life!! Thank-you for this video. Great job Kati! Keep going with it!

[@contentcreator8032]

I love this video.Is really helpful.

[@frenchhornz4ever]

EMDR was an incredible experience for me! Changed my life for the better

[@deadinside8781]

I still don'tt understand what it is🤷‍♀️

[@M11TS]

@@deadinside8781 In fact noone does - yet.

[@EerybodyIsAnnoying]

Dr. Alexa has suuuch a calming and relaxing voice 😌

[@cindyc]

Kati you are incredible to be so open and vulnerable with us. 🤗🙏🕊❤🌈 Hope this will help others to get the right help from their therapists. God bless you

[@nataliecantu5740]

Hey, thank you for being vulnerable in this mini-session. I wasn't actually expecting that. Hugs. We all struggle, eh? You got this.

[@juliecosgrove2339]

I have been having EMDR since 22nd of April this year. I needed emdr as a child but it wasn’t around when I was 7 yrs old, (I’m in the UK). I am 39 now. I have had the goose chase as I was with the wrong mental health provider for 14 yrs (they didn’t have the right therapist for me), they referred me last year, to where I am now. Better late than never though. My therapist is doing history gathering and giving me tools to help manage the intense emotions. Thank you Kate Morton🙂🙂

[@annemariebiggs9711]

I love this. My naturalopath recommend this. Tonight at my counseling session she also recommend this. We did a short positive one using her pin instead of tapping. I'm going to use that experience this coming weeks to find peace. This was amazing to watch. I am very hopeful, I'm so done with my emotions controlling me in a negative way.

[@gracevictor5782]

This is an excellent session. I have the initial training in it. I also noticed that when my session with my client ended, there was a significant point we could’ve gone into so we did not consider that the final session.

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

I was given a test in 1996 when I had to go back into therapy and it had test results showing ptsd very very strong. Around 1999 one therapist started EMDR treatments on me and often they worked. My mind started working better. My handwriting improved and my thinking was clearer. I’ve had multiple traumas, several big ones from prior to age 10. When the EMDR was actually working, in my mind it felt a little bit like an orgasm or when I quickly fall asleep.

[@kaymack5304]

I have just become aware of this type of therapy and am so interested to try it. I have a memory from when I was 4 that was very traumatic to me and over the years my beliefs about what that meant have intensified as I use other experiences to validate those beliefs and I now have constant pain from fibromyalgia. I would love to have emotional and physical relief. Thank you so much for this!

[@_just_TK]

“YOU…ARE…FUCKING…AMAZING!!!” ::frustratingly shaking Kati::

[@marktwain368]

Seems like you have some inner work to do. Why not arrange a session for yourself?

[@rycherulz]

My therapist and I have been doing EMDR sessions over the last month or two, and they have been SOOOO helpful to me. I had a pretty big "epiphany" moment recently from an EMDR session figuring out where my Anxious Attachment Style originated from, and it honestly feels like a huge weight has been lifted off me. I have to be honest, this all seemed extremely "woo woo" to me when my therapist first brought it up, but the proof is in the pudding as they say, and I can't argue with results.

[@acanamero226]

I also just started EMDR to also treat my anxious attachment style, your comment gives me hope!! I have cptsd so idk how to even start, I dont have one traumatic event but a traumatic upbringing. Hope it keeps helping you heal, best of luck 🤞🏽

[@rycherulz]

It wasn't one event for me either, but a bunch of stuff from my childhood that shaped who I became. That epiphany was just the start. Then the work began, and is still continuing, on reprocessing all that crap in a way that helps me to not be so AA anymore. @@acanamero226

[@dustin6146]

Wow this is the exact reason as to why I’m looking into EMDR right now. i have such a difficult time figuring out what my traumas are and living with anxious attachment style has been very difficult for me

[@Kyankrahn1]

Dog is adorable.

[@nadiadevilliers4721]

This is excellent!

[@Paulbartoszek]

Very interesting. Thank you for the video

[@itviking1651]

Wow! Amazing & educational for me. Thank you for your vulnerability. You are awesome and more than enough! Subscribing.

[@craigjeffries]

I've been researching EMDR for my research methods class all semester (I'm getting my master's in social work), and this has been the most helpful video on the topic. Thank you, Kati and Alexa, for sharing this and your wisdom on this topic.

[@s1haron]

As a retired 35 yr experienced MSW, I would urge you to research what studies confirm that this works.....I find too many unstated therapist beliefs that are shaping this session.

[@craigjeffries]

​@@s1haron Yes, I understand what you are saying. This was a tough topic to research because of the controversies around it. I did A LOT of research from reading academic texts, to watching videos like this one to understand what a session looked like, to reading dozens of academic journal articles. I found a lot of peer-reviewed articles that showed EMDR to be an effective treatment for adults (I didn't look at articles with children). The issue I ran into and discussed would be good for future research, is understanding the working mechanisms because we don't fully know why EMDR works. There are a lot of theories, but it would be helpful to have clarity on why it works. We also need some more quality follow-up studies, especially since EMDR does not require homework or direct exposure to the traumatic memories. This would especially be helpful in various populations to ensure it has lasting effects. An interesting fact in a meta-analysis done in 2020, EMDR had lower drop-out rates than Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure. So all that to say that there are pros and cons to using this as a therapy, and I did a lot of research to try to make sense of it all.

[@OCR202life]

I found that I couldn't trust enough, or rather feel safe enough to do emdr. I am in the midst of prolonged exposure therapy, and feel safe enough to talk about it. But I am scared to let my mind free float unless I am alone.

[@marktwain368]

Take those beliefs that you cannot trust or feel safe to the therapy session. That is a perfect starting point for doing 'shadow work' and EMDR is sufficiently different from cognitive therapy to let you see relief much sooner. Maybe repeat the affirmation "I can trust people".

[@betterworld2958]

@@marktwain368 I would recommend parts work more than EMDR for this sort of situation. When we feel unsafe there is a reason and if this person feels too unsafe right now a good therapist will honor this and see that maybe emdr is not the right treatment for them right now or ever.

[@curiousgeorge555]

Brave woman to share her inmost thoughts and feelings with the world. I totally agree with her. EMDR and psychotherapy in general is weird. It is awkward and deep down in my bones seems like it shouldn't be a part of the human experience. Like it was never meant to be a thing. Sort of like a twist in the universe that was not supposed to happen.

[@DeepBlue7]

Abuse itself, was also never meant to be a thing. Psychotherapy has saved my marriage and probably my life. EMDR is fascinating. I loved it and want to continue when/if covid ends.

[@saetae9208]

@@DeepBlue7 you can do it online Remote EMDR

[@DeepBlue7]

@@saetae9208 I used the buzzers though (provided by the therapist) not the eye movement.

[@myname3065]

No shit but if gone unacknowledged like a broken leg it stiffles one into therapy from others who have no personal clue on what they really don't know

[@ashmit3675]

@@DeepBlue7 you doing good now ????

[@andysmith3290]

Thx you

[@ghostnike901]

I've done this type of therapy a few times. I didn't get anything from it but I know a few people who find it very helpful. It really is something I recommend everyone should experience at least once

[@AmandaSmith-77777]

You both helped me remember some targets. You're right about the ratings, they take you into cerebral mode. Thank you!

[@heatherhutton1117]

EMDR was the most horrible great experience I've ever had. It made my panic attacks way way worse but that could also be because covid hit 3 months in and had to suddenly stop 🙃 I'm a much more positive person now because of it but for me it was like "forget coping skills! 😰". hits everyone different and from my experience there was no preparing despite coping skills (it helped but not as much as before). It's very hard but worth it. Keep in mind it continues until your mind processes it, meaning it continues after seeing your therapist, or so my therapist told me. In short, be prepared as much as you can and it's very worth it in the end. Not many things bother me anymore, I see different sides to things and I realize I'm responsible for ME and not other adults. 😁 (this is just from my experience and not to be taken as medical advice)

[@hiddenmongoose7314]

Thank you for sharing. I plan to proceed with EMDR but my therapist would like to have my first 2 sessions prior to my trip to Ireland to visit my partner for a month. I've asked her what her opinion is considering similar experiences and what I would need to do in the even something happens

[@joannesuzieburlison7128]

thank you so much. My brother shared this with me and I shared it on facebook. I have a lot of anxiety and a chronic illness that I think came from all that anxiety so I'd like to give this a shot.

[@marktwain368]

We support that thought! Go for it, girl!

[@BigBadMF43]

what chronic illnesess do you have? i have psychsomtic flu like symptoms for many years from anger, resentment and rage

[@Itsmekourtneyc]

This was very helpful. As a hypnotherapist, I'm like, okay. Trying not to be the clinician and client - brain still runs. There are some instances I am aware of already from having practiced and facilitated EMT. From watching this video, I had another layer revealed. VERY HELPFUL. I can see how it's a deeper root of the other instances. THANKS FOR SHARING!

[@diablominero]

"you cannot do it wrong" sounds like a challenge.

[@marktwain368]

If that statement triggers you, you need to explore WHY and where it goes in your subconscious mind.

[@diablominero]

@@marktwain368 I was joking. Git gud.

[@cje9]

Lmao 💀💀

[@derp195]

"Ok Dee, umm... Where do I put my feet?"

[@divorceOfCourse]

​@@marktwain368you must be fun at parties.

[@corinnalafarouche]

Very good!

[@singinwithceline]

Oh God, Kati! I’m SO proud of you! I don’t think I could do this. Quiet makes me feel like I’m going to puke. You’re so brave though. Thanks for being so vulnerable. WHO told you you weren’t good enough?? I will fight them!

[@anthonyrossmaund3161]

Thank you. This was very informative

[@k.c.sunshine1934]

This video gives me a new perspective on how the process of EMDR is supposed to occur. I went to EMDR for just over a year and my therapist did several things including the "free association" and I did my best to give my answer. She promptly responded with judgement to my "free association" saying that it was based cognitively rather than what she instructed me to give her; we did not get closure on that issue and I ended up not trusting her intentions with me and I stopped therapy. My question: if EMDR therapists are trained that "free association" is supposed to me judgement-free, then why would my therapist decide to break that understanding on her part?

[@chanuppuluri8726]

WHAAAAAT this was a crucial video and a crucial example! Thank you for being vulnerable enough to do this and post this!!! I'm sorry so many people in the comments had bad experiences with EMDR. My experience was great, but: 1. I was finally away from my traumatic environment, so I was able to let healing in. 2. I had several years of CBT under my belt before starting EMDR, and beginning meditation classes with a local teacher for a couple of years, so I learned how to stay mindful and not dissociate - and THAT'S VERY HARD AT FIRST - kudos to you if you're trying! 3. My therapist and I jived very well, even on a spiritual/belief system level, so I didn't have an adversarial relationship with cultural norms. 4. I had several tools outside of therapy, including vitamins and supplements for the neuroplasticity and relearning my responses. 5. I rewarded myself every time I had to face hard things, sometimes with a good jog, sometimes with ice cream. 6. I gave myself enough rest and time for resilience (and drank a lot of water, and sang uplifting songs to myself). 7. I had positive affirmations of self compassion and self forgiveness and self grace going on in the background while I would do chores and run errands, so I had a constant track of words reaffirming that it's okay for me to go through this learning process. 8. I put extra effort and time (and money) into the physical aspects of trauma healing (some points outlined in books like The Body Keeps The Score) and I will say Tai Chi, QiGong, and KungFu really tackled virtually ALL trauma storage in the body - in tandem. It helps that my KungFu teacher is well versed in teaching students from all kinds of backgrounds, particularly people who are trauma survivors, growing into SurThrivers. I was probably the absolute luckiest duck in this regard. If that's scary to some viewers, I'd highly suggest starting with Yoga. (Seriously, though, martial arts is one of the BEST things you can do for yourself in a trauma healing journey.) Disclaimer: I'm not a medical professional, and everything I mentioned above is only easier for you if you have the extra time, money, resources, and personal space to spare for this. Really anything you're doing to help yourself counts, and don't let my list discourage you because my journey doesn't have to be your journey.

[@jillarchi4920]

Your experience is enlightening. Great ideas, I'll be looking for free or less expensive ways to try similar things. Thanks for the ideas!! ❤

[@angelfremming7860]

Got my session tomorrow. Hope it works

[@stoffls]

That was pretty powerful, I could tap right into it. I wonder if there are any EMDR therapists where I live, as I do get the sense that it could help with some of my issues. Or Alexa Altman comes over here, she has such a soothing way of handling the process.

[@nataliehilton2661]

Are you feeling any better christoph

[@irishgirl81498]

Hi Kati! Do you know if EMDR is effective in treating central nervous system issues and/or nerve pain? I've been told that my traumatic past might be exacerbating my symptoms but talk therapy doesn't do that much (though it is a great resource). Thanks!

[@xanbeth]

Emdr helped me reveal things I buried with my cptsd it was painful because I dissociate with pain I dont know how to deal, Emdr works for me but....it is typically expensive.

[@Dwigt_Rortugal]

As I'm about 6 minutes into watching this, I'm feeling that intense sadness and despair in my gut area, and they haven't even started yet. I think I forget sometimes how much the trauma causes continuous pain. It becomes "normal" to hurt at some base level. "Not good enough" was the burden I wore every day as a kid.

[@kaliesweetpea4508]

Thank you so very much for going through the process so that we can see and understand what the process is like! It really helped me understand it better.. but i am curious, would emdr work for someone who cannot sit with any memory and who cant identify any emotions associated with the memory or event either then or in the present?

[@or3239]

Thank you for let me see what EMDR is. Naw i know its not ever mach for me i got anxsiety and flashback just from watch katy doing it... (Cptsd)

[@frslover]

At the start of the video the information and big words were so confusing. I got lost trying to understand it. By the end of the video it was easier to follow. I have never experienced EMDR myself but told by other therapists i was recieving treatment from would all tell me i am not ready. That was discouraging. I think it would be benefiting. Thanks Kati.

[@sashapriboy]

There’s a previous video where they explain all the basics!

[@theresagreat1618]

Thank you very much it was a very interesting process. I could see where it is very helpful . With gratitude

[@xzonia1]

I have wondered before what exactly EMDR is. Thank you so much for showing us what a session looks like, Kati! This really answered a lot of my questions about it. Is it primarily for trauma treatment, or are there other conditions that EMDR helps with? Also, thank you to your guest for walking you through it. :)

[@SusieQ78]

Wow, such a great breakdown. Helping me see more and more how important it is to be with a trauma specialist that truly understands EMDR with how powerful the tool can be if used correctly, but also how re-traumatizing it can be if used incorrectly. I am now trusting more and more my current trauma therapist. Thank you for taking the time to film these!!

[@hauntedburgerplant]

Dr. Altman seems like a really great EMDR therapist! Unfortunately my only experience with EMDR was a bad one (therapist and I didn’t vibe) and it cost so much that I was discouraged to continue, but seeing this gives me hope that I can find the right therapist for me.

[@Humanoidable]

If you didnt like a therapist get a new one .

[@samr9336]

Thank you for doing this demo for us!

[@michelleduncan9965]

I'm so thankful that EMDR helped me. The incidence of fairly vivid & exhausting dreams & nightmares went away almost entirely. I was aware of some dreams while sleeping, & still am now ... but since having EMDR I don't remember them after waking.

[@user-hp6ls8qy6d]

That's great. How many sessions did it need?

[@kyledamron]

My mother in law and my little brother both have done EMDR. My insurance denied me from getting it. Im looking for a therapist that my insurance does cover that is able to do EMDR. I have a great deal of trauma going back as far as I can remember as well as being aware of other traumatic things that happened to me as a baby and toddler. I also have trauma from adult hood as well. Ive done talk therapy for years. It hasn't helped much. I think I need EMDR badly.

[@nkthang7808]

good to know

[@seriouscat2231]

I think the magic in the EMDR is that the therapist is methodically interested in the patient. I had two and a half years of therapy, usually twice a week that was spent by the therapist basically ignoring me, stating that she understands (though it never felt like it) and telling me to just act like I did not have any problems. It was supposed to be cognitive-analytic but it was almost a fraud. She was in retirement age and had worked with institutionalized patients before her current private practice (i.e. hopeless cases and that's maybe why she had never learned to help anyone).

[@marktwain368]

Sorry to hear you had a poor experience. Try again. EMDR is different and can help.

[@danaleonard8649]

Interesting open new doors... Thank you... Sending 💛🌈🙏💪⚖️🌟💫🌞

[@TheMyisa]

I tried EMDR with tapping. The therapist sat right in front of my and tapped on my top of knees as we attempted to go through the process. Unfortunately, I couldn’t begin to get through the session because I’m a professional drummer and all I could focus on was that her rhythm was off! Not that it should matter but for me, I was experiencing it like I was making a mistake or listening to another musician that had poor timing and it was annoying. We had to stop. Then I tried the light bar with another therapist. I thought that would be a more consistent rhythm. The bar broke down right after we started. That was before the pandemic. I would like to try the light bar, again. However, I can’t find anyone near me that is using and /or doing in-person sessions. I started working with another therapist for a few months before Covid hit. We went to zoom sessions and she’s refused to return to in-person sessions. It just doesn’t feel the same. So, I’m back to looking for a trauma expert who is comfortable with patients coming into the office. Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@irishtino1595]

I gave this a shot 20 plus years ago. I worked with a highly qualified PhD who went on to work at WHO. I was a little skeptical, but in so much anxiety I would try anything. We did eye movement, which is not shown in this example. We probably did a dozen sessions. Results were marginal, but not spectacular. However, CBT has been mixed results too for anxiety. Lot's of clinicals show EMDR does something, so maybe another try.