EMDR: 3 things I wish I'd known before I started trauma therapy

In today's video I talk a bit more about EMDR - eye movement desensitisation reprocessing therapy - a NICE approved treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which I underwent in 2018. This follows up on my first video on EMDR and explores it a bit further and also talks a bit more about the ups and downs and how things are going now I've had a bit longer in recovery. Also, general ramblings... sorry...
Here are some things I mention:
My first video about EMDR - • My experience of EMDR ...
The EMDR book - amzn.to/2GjVVnX
Alys Cole King's suicide safety plan - www.pookyknightsmith.com/blog...
--
I hope you find this video helpful. Please take a moment to leave a comment about what you did and didn't like or sharing your own ideas or experiences.
Please also to let me know what other topics you'd like me to tackle in future videos and subscribe to be kept up to date with new videos as they’re published.
You can also follow me on
Twitter: / pookyh
Instagram: / pookyh
Facebook: / pookyh
LinkedIn: / pooky
Newsletter sign up: www.pookyknightsmith.com/mail...
You might also be interested in my books:
Can I tell you about self-harm: amzn.to/2EkpcNc
The Healthy Coping Colouring Book & Journal: amzn.to/2SfT4xG
Using Poetry to Promote Talking and Healing: amzn.to/2BV80ML
Self-Harm and Eating Disorders in Schools: amzn.to/2SSUJyN

[@GentleJungle]

5:28 Reason 1 14:40 Reason 2 15:03 Reason 3 Great metaphor!! (If you have ADHD, you're pressed for time and 2x speed isn't enough.)

[@taragann1980]

Reason #2 is at 8:00 for me?

[@steveparker2938]

agree, great metaphor. Adult ADD had me kicking it up a notch and slipping ahead.

[@marshmallow1488]

MVP

[@jamessheridan4306]

Thank you so much. I don't mean to seem mean or ungrateful but I don't think I could have tolerated this woman's voice or manner for more than a minute or two.

[@lacielawson872]

5:28 Reason 1 7:57 Reason 2 15:10 Reason 3

[@helenamaartje8447]

My therapist told me about the ‘window of tolerance’. It was very insightful for me to know why my EMDR session got stuck sometimes. I tend to get into hypoarousal aka feeling numb during the sessions. To have the traumatic experiences processed properly, you’d have to sit in the middle of your window of tolerance. So no numbness, but also no anxiety or heavy anxiety reaction. It helped me to know about this because i often tend to get angry at myself for even messing this up, or getting discouraged that it wouldn’t work. People with (c)ptss often have a smaller window of tolerance, so that’s something to keep in mind too. Just be as gentle with yourself as you can. Try to take care of yourself béfore your EMDR session & after your session. I hope i make any sense.

[@rae2blue]

Thank you for sharing! I often go numb or just stop connecting in EMDR and often feel like I’m letting my therapist/myself down. I tell her when I experience full dissociation, but with your comment, I’ll maybe mention when I’m starting to just lose connection and not try to pretend/reconnect alone.

[@galileaguevara6509]

Her bookshelf makes me feel so calm

[@RonLarhz]

Not for me. I got irritated just by realising it's ocd-ed.

[@classica1fungus]

I knoooooow

[@kattitude121]

I was literally about to write that exact comment. :)

[@Hanger18inotoomuch]

Pencil crayons

[@harmonyhope1709]

Haha yes, lovely and colour coordinated

[@katescreativejourney]

I'm here watching this 5 years later and am so grateful. My introduction to EMDR was 6 years ago at my third session with a new therapist. (She broke out the light and tried to have me jump right in. I flipped out!) I found your videos yesterday as I'm getting ready to enter therapy again. I really appreciate you sharing all this. This time, I'll know that there should be trust established and ground work competed. I had quit smoking in July but I'm considering picking it back up. It was my only coping mechanism for 30+ years and I have nothing to replace it with right now. I go for an assessment tomorrow. I think I'm finally at a place where my body is exhausted from carrying all this shit and it's times to deal with it. Thank you so much for showing that there is hope! ❤

[@Polished_Soul33]

I started my initial session with creating resources today. I'm excited and scared at the same time. I can't let my past traumas control the way I navigate through this life. I want to be happy💫🔮

[@PookyH]

Good luck!

[@gurbinderjhita4877]

Good luck

[@johazadik]

Hi 👋 how do you feel?

[@rhondapelletier2141]

You are ALREADY WINNING!!!!.......... your LIFE is going to be AMAZING!!! .......don’t look back , your FUTURE is in front of you❤️

[@desibeverage9702]

Thank you. I started emdr a couple years ago. My symptoms did increase this year. I am not able to function anymore when my super independence is my main coping trait. This whole experience is terrifying. I have become paranoid. I’m unable to work. My self worth is incredibly low. I feel ashamed that I feel so bad. Became obsessed that I must be misdiagnosed. Suicidal. It’s scary. I have no idea how long this will last or how long I can cope. I plan to ask my therapist what phase we are currently in. Safety plans like you referenced. My daughter is also struggling. I need to be there for her. Please wish good results for us. I hope anyone reading this has a great month. You deserve it. Be kind to yourself.

[@danielx555]

Talk to your therapist about resourcing, using MDR to strengthen coping skills and coping strengths and insight and perspective. Ask the client to look for blocking beliefs or fixed ideas that continue to be a barrier. In a lot of cases, psychopharmacologic approaches with medication or needed at the same time. Good luck and I have my fingers crossed for you!

[@jenniferkeeling1126]

I’m a therapist just about to embark on EMDR training. I really appreciate hearing your experiential story of this method of therapy. Well explained!

[@PookyH]

Good luck Jennifer - you might find my new video re EMDR helpful when helping prepare clients? kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2nHpJSwns55b8U I hope you find the training fruitful and that your future clients find the process helpful.

[@Onlinesully]

I really do hope that your training makes a significant difference and advance forward for many people.

[@tb-dv1zc]

Thank you for posting this video and showing great courage by sharing your experience with the world. Namaste 🙏 EMDR has changed my life. From my experience and understanding, it is appropriate for any negative self belief. Three things I wish I'd known: 1. If hiding from your feelings was one of your coping mechanisms, it may take a few sessions just to be able to get in touch with the deeper, stronger negative beliefs. This is very much worth the relief that follows 2. The reprocessing has allowed me to access parts of my heart, mind, and soul, that I had only wished to touch before 3. How simple it is. Letting go and giving your mind a chance to heal is as simple as looking left and right. It's simplicity will prove to be reassuring and helpful Mental health is the path to all other forms of health and prosperity. Peace to every soul on this journey ❤️

[@PookyH]

thank your sharing your three - and I'm so pleased to hear that this has been a positive journey for you too. It's a very strange thing isn't it how it's both so simple and so very complicated at the same time. Learning to trust ourselves to lean into our thoughts and feelings and also trusting ourselves to begin to process and heal is a difficult process, but so worthwhile..

[@jcr-studios]

Your comment and this video has helped me so much. I had my first EMDR session today. Still amazed at how simple it is so much so that I’m in disbelief at its effectiveness.

[@morganalexis6147]

@tb could you share any body experience or how it felt to access your heart at all!? I fear mine has been so closed off where I used to have such access to it. Did you feel it open more and be able to take in more life!?

[@yasgym]

1st wish 5:23 ‘it worked, wow’ 2nd wish7:43 ‘omg, it’s so bad’ 3rd wish 15:02 ‘Shshhh, quite now’

[@SeeryGraphics]

Thanks for locating the points.

[@zeph537]

THANK YOU! What a negative Nelly this woman is. No wonder it didn't work.

[@ryhms8914]

You rock 🥑 ❤️!

[@linda_sue]

@@zeph537 Uh, the positive aspect is that it DID work for her. Plainly.

[@Fetchem1222]

You tha real mvp!

[@Carmelc77]

I’ve been an EMDR Trauma Therapist for many many years and have seen such fundamental and wonderful change in my clients! I absolutely love it and the aid it provides. Here’s to your health and healing 🕊

[@kikimcdowell9762]

I have been in EMDR therapy and it changed my life. Triggers no more. And you have better ability digest better on issues. Best therapy ever!

[@allyschlosser2377]

Any suggestions on how to find an EMDR therapist?

[@Carmelc77]

@@allyschlosser2377 if you’re in Europe go to EMDR Europe or North America EMDRIA websites and look under Find a Therapist’. Many of us work online so it shouldn’t be too hard. Get a certified EMDR therapist if you can. If you need more help contact me at www.carmelclark.com

[@simgesever8600]

Have you ever done online Emdr Therapy and do you find it useful or safe too? I am at the beginning of my training as a therapist, and wonder whether it is safe to apply it online? I wonder your personal experiences about that if there is any. thank you!

[@kellyrcecchi]

EMDR was the best thing I EVER did. I have many horrible memories from my childhood when my mother brought our step father into our lives. I didn’t seek therapy until much later in life (48). I had tried so many “self help” therapies and while they did help to ease the painful memories- the memories persisted nonetheless. At 48, I finally (after researching) found a therapist who specialized in EMDR. After 1 month of working on just one memory, my mind was clear. I had that AHA moment that put the rest of the memories into perspective. I was able to put the memory away and I am no longer bothered by it or any other memories because I was able to then use the tools of EMDR on any further memories that crept up. I have to say tho, my therapist did warn me it would get worse before it got better. Wow...he was so right. It was like the lid had been lifted off of Pandora’s box. For a few weeks I was drowning in debilitating sorrow. But then it goes away. I woke up one day and I was okay. After that, I could retrieve the memory if I needed it, but it didn’t cripple me.

[@katrinag1501]

I am currently going through EMDR and really related to everything you are saying. It has for sure gotten worse which is scary when you're in it but I'm glad I found your video. This is very encouraging that things will get better, this is worth it, and that it will work. Thank your for sharing your experiences

[@PookyH]

I hope things do get better for you, things can change, I promise!

[@onewhoknowstheirpath2154]

I have been thinking bout getting emdr for the last 6 years I used to tell myself I couldn’t afford it but fact is I can’t afford not to at this point.

[@crystalabner9924]

You’re video is awesome!!! I love watching a ‘real’ person...especially someone whose brain works like mine!! Just listening to you makes me feel better. I’m just now opening up to Complex PTSD and things in my past. I’m ready to finally be able to live my life. Thank you for this video ❤️❤️❤️

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Thank you for sharing your story! It is so helpful for people to hear your experience, and I'm so glad it was helpful for you! I love working with EMDR with my clients, as it can create dramatic change.

[@BarbaraHeffernan]

Love that you're sharing your experiences - so helpful. Much appreciated - thank you!

[@ip3043]

Thanks, your video is really helpful. I've had 10 EMDR sessions so far and there were some good ones but the last couple of weeks it's got more intense so just managing the simple things of daily life for now. I was feeling scared that perhaps the treatment wasn't working but like you say and I've heard it from others that it often gets worse before it gets better. The other thing I noticed is all the incredible insights and understanding I'm gaining about why I've struggled so much in life and why I ended up with CPTSD, it all makes sense. Years ago I also had Somatic Experiencing therapy which is very gentle, you don't have to go through mental memories to heal as you connect directly with the body and your senses. SE has helped me with EMDR because I learnt how important resourcing is which EMDR refers to as the 'safe place.' I also use the slow eye movements to resource and calm my system, it's incredibly relaxing. Anyway I'm staying in there because I've experienced some good stuff and trust that one fine day I'll be out of that friggin' tunnel!

[@PookyH]

Good luck... there is light at the end of that tunnel, even if you can't see it just yet!

[@ip3043]

@@PookyH I really need to hear that, thanks

[@P_Partridge]

Keep your head up that light is your future my friend 🙂 you inspire us that still face it thank you. Peace

[@uvsarah]

Thank you for such a great review of EMDR. I absolutely love your honest and open style. I am a clinical psychologist who uses EMDR and it’s great to hear how you talk about your journey. I will share this with people who are considering EMDR in the future! ☺️

[@kristebryant224]

You are AMAZING! I love your resiliency and vulnerability. ♥️ I appreciate these 3 things as I embark on this format. I feel strongly that being able to give the client a real concept of what to expect is sooo important for the buy in! Wishing you health, hope and love!!!!♥️

[@Rosem0303]

I LOVE that your books are organized by color! It's so visually soothing and just draws me in - in a good way. 🤗 The clothes in my closet are organized the same way. Thank you for the informative videos. I'm just starting on my journey of EMDR therapy to help me heal from trauma and ongoing grief as a alienated mom. Peace and love to all 🙏

[@usernameUNAVBL]

You are so bright and beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I was finally just diagnosed with PTSD and recommended EMDR. Your personal experience is exactly what I wanted to hear!! I love your books too btw. 😍

[@christismith8052]

I find you very delightful! 🥰 I’m sorry you have suffered so much in your life, and am praying for complete healing for you! 💕

[@emilyjanelindquist1720]

Totally love this whole video. Thank you so much. Very helpful and makes me feel less alone. Love the color coordinated books!

[@jbjorling]

I really enjoyed this. It is hard to imagine that you may have, at one time or another, not liked yourself. I think you are awesome!

[@brooklynwhitmire8136]

I'm sure it's not easy to share your experience on the internet, but I'm thankful you did. You've inspired me to continue on with my EMDR treatment. Thank you!

[@PookyH]

Good luck Brooklyn, do what's right for you, and remember you're never walking alone

[@wondercortney]

I appreciate your honesty and your authenticity. Thank you for making this video.

[@transflowmation6676]

This was wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@trixiestterror]

I LOVE the way you've arranged your books

[@Shelleyatmarshamarsh]

You felt the need to release it 🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽BTW I love your honesty and genuine raw truthfulness ❤️

[@witdgreen1868]

Love that she pops from place to place in her presentation then comes back to the point.

[@nick_way]

Please consider moving the worry monster to the opposite shelf - there are some turquoise books with orange flashes on the spine that might be nice to lean up against :)

[@PookyH]

This is my favourite comment in a long time! :)

[@gurbinderjhita4877]

... And where that teddy should be, there's a much smaller one that's getting squished 🐻😱

[@sillygirl1139]

@@gurbinderjhita4877 😂 oh yes... poor thing 😅

[@MandyWoodArtist]

lol I put up the same comment!

[@wingnutmcspazatron3957]

Hahaha

[@rashelshika4123]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! You rock! Your resilience is uplifting and your bravery in sharing your personal experience inspires me to be brave! Keep it up!

[@mspawlished]

Oh dear. Just learned from your video I have "complex" PTSD... Thank you for your incredible strength and experience. I've been researching mad to understand this treatment and have embarked on my first treatment. Comfortable with my therapist I will be moving forward weekly for I imagine the rest of the year. Thank you again for more clarity and a heads up on what I may experience. I have also been warned by my therapist, but it was good to hear it from someone with the symptoms. You look fabulous. I love your books. And totally love your accent! Be well 🖤

[@paprikaahmed2892]

Absolutely incredible, powerful, I adore your presentation and love the energy, by which it was compelled; thank you and thank you.

[@katrinapugh5442]

Hi! I stumbled on your video after searching "EMDR" and I'm so glad I did! I'm just about to start (next week! 😱) for my PTSD and I'm more anxious than usual because of it. I'm so glad it helped you and I'm thankful that you mentioned about how much worse it got first- my therapist mentioned it could but she didn't seem to stress just how much so I'll over prepare just in case it's a real nose dive! P.s. your colour coded books speak to my soul 😂 don't listen to the negatives! Haha Thanks again :)

[@PookyH]

I really hope that your first session went okay; I hope my video didn't worry you too much! I'm sure some people sail through.. though if you didn't, maybe it will have given you cause to hope that it will get better... good luck! (and thank you re the books, they bring me a lot of joy :)

[@savannaghkeeleychase7481]

EMDR has been amazing for me. Hope it was equally great for you. The sum result is relaxing for me, and I'm happy to cry it out at the time, coz I know it's the last time I'm going to live with it. Xoxo

[@ginacavallo6689]

I am want to do EMDR therapy, where do look ?

[@chocopuffz2562]

Same!

[@zeph537]

Please don't believe this lady. It does always "get so much worse"

[@MrBoab64]

What a great lady. I'm impressed with your eloquence but equally matched by your quirky sense of humour. Good on you. I learned a lot from your video and was pleased about that as my wife underwent EMDR due to a car accident we had. She suffered after that event in ways i never knew. The relief she felt after only a month was impressive...so much so that I feel I would like to train in EMDR myself. Thanks Pooky and all power to you in your own leaps and bounds towards health and in your great work to spread the good news about mental health.

[@Tony-de4px]

really appreciate the video reminds me of my therapy days ....great stuff now looking back into doing some more EMDR again ..great video and apreciated a lot thanks

[@GlitterEnby]

This was so helpful. Thank you. My regular therapist wants me to start EMDR with a different therapist because my trauma is just destroying my life. It was really nice to hear you talk about EMDR from the perspective of someone with both CPTSD and an eating disorder because I'm also in that spot. It was nice to hear both that I am not alone and that you found the experience helpful.

[@ellentevault3372]

I start EMDR therapy in January for my CPTSD from childhood traumas. I hope it does work.I’m ready to live in the moment, not triggered constantly by past events

[@kayylamartinez]

How’d it go?

[@sgough83]

How is it going Ellen?

[@justmoritz]

Works

[@mariangelamariangela4199]

How did it go?

[@evearcana2392]

How did it go? How are things now?

[@maryjohnson7679]

I love the books and enjoyed your chatting- it made me feel like we were having a conversation! Thank you for this, I really appreciate it. I'm preparing myself to begin next week. Especially the part about needing to lighten your load, take a step back, etc. I've already felt the need to do that just with regular therapy and have had a hard time keeping that boundary with myself, but I find myself exhausted after a day of therapy and doing everything I "need" to do. So now I know it needs to be a priority.

[@missrhia4325]

I’m starting therapy on the 28th for CPTSD. I’m thirty years old on the 26th. Even doing the intake with a therapist made my hands sweat. This video is so helpful. Researching is my way of coping and I want to learn more about some of the techniques my therapist may use. Thank you so much.

[@mandyfebres8975]

How has the therapy been going for you ? I start mine tomorrow and I’m so scared

[@leonardocosenza429]

@@mandyfebres8975 how was it?

[@hechthecht8018]

Truly truly wonderful brilliant talk here! I really appreciate your honesty, bravest vulnerability - most endearing rambling included!

[@PookyH]

Thank you Hecht!

[@char94]

I have CPTSD, too. I found you while searching whether EMDR would be an option for me. I have pretty intense emotional flashbacks and quite the inner critic. Currently doing hypnotic/somatic combinations. Thank you for sharing your insights.

[@julesindigoblue4441]

I’m sitting in my car listening to you....hearing you say ‘sorry’ all the time. My point? You’ve been helping me through EMDR and yes, it’s very difficult. But you’re an amazing person and I wanted to say...there’s nothing to be sorry about. I have you to thank for taking the time to share...and getting me through this difficult treatment. I wish I had a friend like you!🌸 ps....just love your colourful bookcase! Wow!

[@sarahbeara1018]

I love that the books r organized by rainbow order. :D

[@m.l.sokolauthoradvocatepub8699]

This also brought me great joy to see. I am a librarian and we read about these organizational systems which are gorgeous to employ but awful to find if you need A-Z :D

[@DestinationCampground]

ROY G BIV

[@eminemilly]

makes sense to me and looks awesome as a bonus lol

[@harmonyhope1709]

Me too! 🌈🌈🌈

[@0anant0]

I have quite a few collection of Yellow Books -- not the Yellow pages, but '... For Dummies' books :-)

[@readygi]

thanks for sharing. i find your honesty and quirkiness very soothing. I've been recomended EMDR for my ptsd and tried just a youtube video with sound and i relived one of my memories i blicked for years, but feel lot better now..

[@okeanos6391]

I often find researching, reading, etc about therapies or things related mental health can be really triggering. Your books and rambling and personality has really cut through that for me, thank you! 😊

[@SheSmilesSlyly]

I love this video, I love the color coded books and I thank you very much for sharing your process. This video makes me feel a lot more prepared for EMDR therapy. I laughed with you in certain parts and made watching this enjoyable for me. You are a wonderful person 🤗

[@PookyH]

Bless you and good luck Sara.

[@danielx555]

This is a wonderful video. EMDR is an abreactive therapy, and it works by getting the brain into a state where it is reliving the experience but also has a solid footing in present time. Therapists often have to ask clients to stop talking about or intellectualizing what's happening, and shifting from talk therapy to EMDR can be tough. But it works because of what it does to the brain. It activates the adaptive information processing in the brain so that we relate the traumatic experiences to a normal narrative of sequential events, rather than the snapshots of horror or pain that we normally experience when we relive our trauma. It gets the brain to work through the experience and to make sense of it, and sometimes the end result is that you look at horrifying experiences and recognize that the people were evil and that it shouldn't have happened but that it is in the past. It's an amazing therapy.

[@sallybarr7904]

Thankyou thankyou thankyou so much for this video. I identify with you and your situation more than you could imagine which has actually been quite comforting to me. I have complex PTSD and am going to be starting EMDR as an inpatient at the end of May. I am nervous but also really excited as I have been battling this demon for so long and have come to the end of my tether. It just has so much control over my live and regardless of how much insight I gain, those ideas and conceptions developed as a result of the trauma still persist. I still struggle to even accept sometimes that I have complex PTSD and am not just weak or weird or that it was all my fault anyway so this constant pain is what I deserve. The clinic has been very open with me regarding the "it will get worse before it gets better" thing so I was prepared for it, but your video has given me hope that if I can work with the pain and through the pain, this therapy may actually improve things for me. I am not looking for a magic cure or for someone else to fix me, I would just like to live my life without everything being dictated or affected by past trauma. Like you, I feel that EMDR really is my last hope, and I am willing to give it everything I've got. Fingers crossed

[@PookyH]

Good luck with it - I often found the waiting and worrying was the hardest part, so often the truth you imagine is less bad than the actuality - but in either case, I hope that knowing that it may be hard but then hopefully will get better will help you through. xx

[@lalalaika]

Thank you for this. I’m very glad I stumbled across your video. I’ve only just started emdr and didn’t realise things might get worse for a while.. it’s good to know and be prepared. But the main thing I wish I’d known before starting is that there would be a finite number of sessions I could have because of the NHS putting arbitrary limits on things. So I’ve just started processing on a really difficult memory but have only 2 more sessions to try and finish that. Feeling a bit frustrated about it.

[@cbrunk5370]

I recently started therapy myself, and my councilor has encouraged me to look into EMDR. I am very nervous all together about diving into my past, and like you said I have been spending a lot of time trying to mentally prepare myself to start this. Thank you for the video. I think you resolved some of my concerns regarding EMDR. I do feel like I still want to build more of a connection with my therapist before I dive in, but this was a great help!

[@teeniestudio]

You’re at 19,000 as I watch this video! Congrats and thank you - I found this very helpful. Hope things are continuing to get better and better for you.

[@wholeartedly_studio6723]

Thanks so much for this. For your honesty, your humour, and your chatty digressions. I appreciated and enjoyed all of it. :)

[@ketnetty]

I love your whole aesthetic ! the hair, the cover, that beautiful bookshelf that inspires me to copy in the future. You look so pretty and calming, the whole video makes me think of colorful smooth pastel cupcakes. Thank you for your explanation, im waiting to do the therapy myself.

[@denisa-nicoletamoise4727]

I could relate to much to what you’ve said about EMDR & it reassured me that this is the way it’s supposed to be before it gets better and that it does get better! Beyond grateful! ❤️

[@michellegates7083]

Thank you so much for sharing; you are such a delightful person, and it was really nice viewing your candid discussion. Best to you!

[@PookyH]

Thanks Michelle!

[@j.martinez8282]

You were great. Thanks for rambling and/or warbling. Wonderful insights and information and the extended bits helped expand upon the insights you've provided. Again, thank you!

[@otum337]

Woof... I'm getting ready to drive through that fire. Thank God you said a period of weeks and not a year! haha I'm quite excited to start this and get it over with and grow from there!

[@nancyfh4305]

I love you Pooky! Thank you for sharing your experience. I have been in therapy for many, many years and have done what I consider my "trauma work". This was at a time before EMDR. I am now going to school and hope with use EMDR and other techniques to help people with trauma. Thank you always for your willingness to be vulnerable. It is so wonderful. Also, your rainbow background of books makes me smile every time I watch. Thank you!

[@michelenesbitt-ht8gq]

Pooky, I absolutely love your bookcase!!! And the video was also very informative, thank you so much!

[@Ian-Steele]

That was a really fascinating video and wonderful to watch. Not necessarily because of what you said about EMDR, but more of what I got from your presentation style. I hope you enjoyed having a good ramble, I suspect you did, and I hope you found it useful to talk to the camera in such a personal one to one way. Remember that although you have over 1000 subscribers you are really only talking to one at a time and I’m sure that like me they enjoyed being in the conversation and learning a bit more about the real Pooky. Keep up the good work and keep those books in that order, I’ve always thought it was a brilliant idea 📕📗📘📙😊.

[@PookyH]

thanks Ian! Really kind feedback - and yes I did enjoy making this one, it felt very relaxed and just me... but that's always a little scary too because if people don't like your persona that's one thing but if you just be you and they don't like you that's harder.. does that make sense? (but then I guess if they are kind like you then it is nicer when it is about the real me??) waffle waffle...! Thank you for taking time to watch and comment. I really appreciate that you watch often and take time to feedback. The girls really appreciated all your comments too. I hope today is treating you well?

[@daddyworerbucks]

youre so sweet and i love your rambles :) youre a very genuine and authentic online presence. keep it up.

[@nicolerose1939]

Thank you for your video. I started my first EMDR session last week and my reaction to it is a lot of resistance, so I really appreciate your post EMDR takeaways. What was most helpful to me is how you talk about how the sessions led to further writing exploration and sharing of the actual experiences with others you trust. My resistance is to the ‘reprocessing’ part - I started associating it with people in my life that don’t want to be present for me, that only want to ‘fix’ me. I will also share my resistance with my therapist before our next session. Thank you for your bookshelf too, it made me feel incredibly happy and hopeful looking at it in the background!

[@fabiolagonzalez7877]

Love the color coded book shelf, love her knitted shawl, love the hair, love her tangents AND love her honesty! Thank u!

[@atiger4716]

Thank Pooky, I've found your video very useful, because you speak from your experience and you have a fun way to express it while been very well arliculated. I love your voice. All the best!

[@vanessasouthern1792]

You've helped me so much. Thank you. I'm starting EMDR tomorrow and it's made me feel better about it. Informed. I really think you are a great person. Clever and funny. So genuine. I'm so pleased you benefitted.

[@mariangelamariangela4199]

How did it go?

[@vanessasouthern1792]

@@mariangelamariangela4199 I had to postpone it due to the pandemic as I want to do it in person rather than zoom. I must do it after lockdown as I’m very ill with PTSD and just woke from an horrendous dream with a huge panic attack. Can’t get back to sleep. It’s my only hope as I feel suicidal. I cannot go on like this.

[@ReCoIL171]

I started it two weeks ago on Zoom. I'll let you know how it goes. I went to a Football match with 600 people last Saturday. Yet can't get in a room with 1 person. I know your frustration.

[@mariangelamariangela4199]

@@vanessasouthern1792 I know what it means feeling suicidal but PLEASE, Hang in there, keep going on. You are not alone!

[@mariangelamariangela4199]

@@ReCoIL171 Keep moving forward! You are not alone in this too! Good job for going to that football match. And yes, let us know how it goes.

[@lastarlaloca1]

Your so brave for being here! Thank you so much for your time and insight.

[@MCL46]

Thank you for sharing this video Pookie. Your rambling is delightful... And the information was very encouraging

[@thenobleandmightybeaver4411]

Thank you for posting this video. I thoroughly identify with your process. I embarked on therapy in my twenties and had started the EMDR process with my then therapist. Unfortunately the treatment was suddenly cut short roughly six months into EMDR as I was battling a worsening substance abuse cycle which was interfering with my ability to engage in EMDR treatment. It was rightly decided that addiction treatment needed to be my sole focus and so that is what I did, and gratefully that was effective. Fast forward more than a decade later a life event triggered my former PTSD symptoms and I engaged a therapist again. We spent a few months basically working on some direct therapies and strategies to deal with my symptoms so before I had to leave to work abroad for several months. Happily this was an effective band-aid and I completed my work abroad with success and very manageable symptoms. I have returned home and my therapist and I are about to begin EMDR this week and I find myself filled with fear and trepidation. I acutely recall the phase where my mental health did a nose dive and because my initial EMDR experience never got past the very painful/overwhelming stage that is my only tangible recall of the treatment. I know intellectually EMDR is effective but I find myself wishing to procrastinate and stall. I have verbalized these impulses to my therapist and she has assured me she will make a concerted effort to keep me on track. Your share of your experience with the process has brought me a bit of comfort and strengthened my resolve to plug on despite my inclination to protect myself from having to explicitly recall a bunch of stuff which I usually am able to at least quasi successfully stuff away. Cheers.

[@LovinPavan]

thank you for posting this.

[@sadiaca]

Bless you for sharing ❤️ I’m starting EMDR therapy soon after being a bit sceptical for the longest time. After watching your video I feel much more calm about trying a different kind of therapy. 😊

[@carlab3012]

I so appreciate your input here on emdr. I am just now exploring it.

[@pottedplantworkshop]

I love the books and the waffling! I have my first EMDR session tomorrow. I appreciate this video very much.

[@tribe6999]

This video was wonderful and helped me feel comfortable enough to open my heart to seeing I have been working through alot of old stuff and replaying in a cycle of shadow work for years. Thank you for being brave and strong and sharing such an important video. I personally love your rainbow organization of your library ♡

[@maxrcannaday]

This is a really amazing and insightful story about what mental illness looks like and your journey through a part of it. I typically prefer speakers who get to the points quickly, but my time was not wasted as you entertaining gave me a chance to know more about you, the person I was getting absorbing the information from, and it gave me a lot of confidence. By the way, your idea of sorting books seemed OCD (not in a derogatory way) and silly at first, but after you explained it I realized what a fool I was for choosing any other method. My books are now organized by hue and I can instantly find any book I want. I feel like this information should get out further.

[@PookyH]

Thank you for such a kind and thoughtful comment! The book thing divides people. I do find it incredibly calming and on a tough day I'll often do a little book reorganising; but it did genuinely come out of a desire to lay my hands on the right books fast. (I am always NOT IMPRESSED when books have a different colour spine to their cover but other than that it works pretty well..)

[@RabiRose]

I love your analogies! Nice, insightful video. On a side note, I think it's lovely that despite what you've gone through (and are going through) you were able to find someone to show you such radical acceptance and love. I'm sure there's a lot of us out here feeling like we're incapable of finding love because of the way we are.. so it peaks my curiosity to know about this facet of your life.. If you care to share, maybe an idea for another one of your videos!

[@blueshoes915]

Thank you for this video. I just started therapy and am going to do EMDR. I am anxious as to whether it will help. When you said about how you were worried it wouldn’t work as it’s a last resort and if it doesn’t then what? That is exactly where I am at now. Scared it won’t work and if it doesn’t nothing can help me then. So, I’m glad to hear it worked for you and you’re doing really well now. That is awesome and encouraging for us just starting it. Thank you for sharing!

[@PookyH]

Good luck with it - I really hope that you find it is helpful. I can't help but feel that a big part of it being effective is finally being in a place where your're ready to tackle it and take on that change. NO matter how hard and negative it is, it's a big thing to let go of something that can feel like it's defined you so long?

[@ep2891]

Thank you. I will probably use your videos to share with my clients, btw love the bookshelf set up!!

[@Princ3ssLanae]

I really appreciate her energy and sharing her experience! It is very helpful and engaging.

[@angelica23luna90]

I really appreciate your honesty. It is valuable for all of us who have been skeptical about EMDR

[@vero_gee7530]

I can listen to you talk for hours! Therapist suggested EMDR. Thanks for the informative yet slightly humorous video!

[@PookyH]

Thanks Vernoica and good luck with thinking about your next steps..

[@Isaiah21486]

I'm just blown away. Didn't think I was gonna finish this video but man how that changed fast with Pooky's power😍🤗

[@mikiomahoney1]

Thank you for sharing. I've done a lot of therapy and worked on PTSD but have only recently started PTSD, it's very interesting how it works and I totally understand your points. I like your style, your books, your rambling, your honesty.

[@GetTheZen]

I color organize my clothes...definitely calming & easy to find what you want:) Happened onto your KZbin, looking for explanation of EMDR. Love your candidness and honest talk! I will definitely look at your other videos!

[@jasperlawrence5361]

you are very eloquent and articulate on this topic and it feels like a great help, thank you.

[@MaBoJo1]

Hi Pooky, i can relate to this video quite strongly (thanks for posting), in that i have done a fair amount of talk therapy for also cPTSD and although things have improved there are some big things that have not, and keep holding me back. I came to EMDR late, and i am in the midst of it, and at the same time i have taken time off work, as my cPTSD had started to manifest physically (gut issues, neck and back pain etc). So, like you, i was of the mind that EMDR was my last chance to fix this stuff, and i did put a lot of hope in it. So far, i feel like it is working, i rarely let out strong emotions in my talk therapy as i am quite repressed in that manner, however in my first 4/5 EMDR sessions, i cried and cried and in one i felt really angry (which felt good as that isnt something i can express so well either). Anyway, i am rambling, i guess what i am trying to say is, i am glad i found it, still hopeful that it resolves a few things but i wont know about that for another month or two but its helping i sense.

[@PookyH]

I hope that it helps you - it certainly sounds like it's doing something if you've cried and felt that anger... I felt a lot like a toddler at first. I wasn't used to feeling things at all, it had been so locked up so I had to learn from scratch how to feel and how to respond to those feelings! Good luck and well done for working so hard.

[@tiz101]

"I get some hate... and some love for my color coordinated books." Me: Bish, if they hurt you, I'll get them!!! I'm saving a picture of your books to my photo gallery right now to help with my anxiety!!!!!!

[@lavernelavernebabineaux1471]

However, the black books in the bottom right corner threw me off a bit. I felt they needed to go with the pink motif and the one 2 to 3 book over with the pink at the bottom was distracting to me. I am not usually bothered by those thing. Just noticing that. Go with that.

[@tilly08]

Oh this is so helpful and awesome, thank you. I'm starting next week (after a few weeks of prep and years of other therapy) in Australia. Have been wondering how to prepare and what to expect. I have 2 young kids and am a single mum so not sure how those therapy days will go... thank you for the warning about getting worse before getting better. I'll have to safety plan the best I've ever done. Love your bookshelf, voice, hair, everything haha. Thanks for speaking up. Cheers. Tilly

[@PookyH]

good luck - how did it go?

[@lindamurphy8771]

You are absolutely amazing! Thank you for being so brave. You have helped so many people.

[@kristijanog]

Congrats on having more than 10k subscribers Pooky!

[@zolabluebell5765]

I laughed so hard over her explanation of why her books are color coded 😂 ‘sorry if you’re an author of a book I love.. I probably remember the cover more than I remember your name’

[@PookyH]

When I wrote my latest book they asked me if I had any ideas about the cover design. My response... 'I'd like it to have a yellow spine.'.... 😂

[@victorialynn6248]

Thank you for sharing your experience. My therapist mentioned this therapy to me yesterday - EMDR Therapy. Hearing your story brings me to tears. The fears of being rejected because of the past is huge.

[@Echothreads]

I just wanted to say that I find you really relatable, and listening to you felt like chatting with an old friend. I’m trying to be more authentic in life for the first time ever and you come across as a very genuine person and rather than thinking this to myself I thought I could let you know, so I am. :)

[@linda_sue]

What a blessing to hear you say it doesn't have to be out loud. I thought all therapy demands it be out loud. I think you understand how that felt to me. I've been looking for how to do it alone. Love your books, they are more shared comfort. Thank you, so much.

[@PookyH]

Good luck. I hope you find it helpful.

[@eminemilly]

yeah I can't talk when recalling certain things or after I'm triggered

[@hancam333]

thank you for sharing. im very anxious to start emdr. i feel a lot more clarity after watching your video. you have a very comforting spirit.

[@Kuutamo73]

I love birds too! Thank you for sharing your experience on EMDR

[@ep2891]

Hello Pooky thank you so much for your videos and your incredible vulnerability in sharing about your life events. I have learned a lot from them as I embark on being trained in EMDR as a marriage and family therapist. I love your resources! I can tell you and your subscribers that as part of the training we had to do it on ourselves a couple of times and I decided to deal with my snake phobia. I wanted to see if this stuff works before I "sell" it to my clients and IT DID!!!!! You are so right about the cupboard and the tins falling. Now when I see a snake my body's response is not so "freeze". Before when watching TV and saw a snake I'd tell my family, tell when it's over. Now I see it and my muscles don't tense up as before, I am sure I'll still freak out and run if I encounter one or maybe not... Anyway, can you imagine, this was after only two sessions? Now I have the confidence to say this might work to my clients and give them tangible examples. Thank you again from sunny South Florida.

[@PookyH]

That's a really powerful example - I always think it's really helpful when therapists can show compassion and understanding and have a confidence in the process. I really hope your clients will find it helpful too. And good luck with the snakes!..

[@healthhealing1199]

Thanks Pooky, Great to hear your experience of EMDR as a client. As i am a therapist that offers this therapy, and continue to learn loads from being a therapist. xo

[@jencumming708]

Thank you very much for this video. I am just about to start emdr therapy next week also. You seem like such a lovely person and sorry fr what you have been through but its great that you are helping people now and very couragous. I hope my emdr therapy goes ok. I have decades of stuff to unpack. Sounds fun :-/

[@gail8991]

💚you're such a brave person for making this video and sharing your thoughts. i absolutely love your organised bookshelves💚

[@005Amergin]

Hey there! Thank you so much for sharing your journey.. I'm considering looking at different types of therapy to help. I appreciate your insights. I think trusting your therapist is a huge key in any work. I wish you all the best of health & happiness. You made my introverted nerdy 💟 very happy! Cheers fr 🇨🇦🌏😌