I’ve done around 100 EMDR sessions. Self administered EMDR helped me start actually living my life.

@Healinglove

Жыл бұрын

May I ask how you did this on your own? Thank you! 🙃

@moonlightmelodiesasmr3766

Жыл бұрын

@@Healinglove I found the steps online and found emdr videos on KZread! I also was seeing a therapist at the time who helped me to create a safe space which helped. It changed my life.

@Healinglove

Жыл бұрын

@@moonlightmelodiesasmr3766 thank you! If I don't have the money for a therapist, do you think doing this alone with the KZread video's would be alright? I did one the other day, it helped, I felt ALOT, I was shocked, felt a little dizzy, but it was good. 🙃

@moonlightmelodiesasmr3766

Жыл бұрын

@@Healinglove I started doing it by myself before I started seeing a therapist actually. So yes you definitely can. It was just helpful to see how someone who was trained in it would do it so I could improve my own technique. And also to break down the session with her. I also didn’t know I was supposed to create a safe space. I would definitely read/ watch yt videos about the proper steps. And you can also re traumatize yourself if it goes wrong. I have actually done that once when I was a hurry and didn’t follow the proper process. So it is a risk. But overall it has still been worth it for me. So since you don’t have a therapist to do that make sure you know the information and steps. Create a safe space while doing the emdr with imaging your senses involved. And also find other tools that can help when the session gets too intense. Like imagining a glass wall between you and whatever you need it to be or creating a protector that can come in and help. All of those things have helped me a lot. You can also create other spaces to help like a safe with a lock and filing system you leave the session in to file away for later. Do that has really helped me to slowly come out of the session and feel like I’m not going to be disturbed with thoughts about it until I’m ready again. I’ve also slowly built a “house” in sessions over time that have helped me create a secure attachment and self identity. It’s basically where I focus on the positive changes I want after dealing with the negative child trauma and I’m ready to move on and create something new. There’s lots of different ways to grow and process with emdr. Hope that helps and gives you some ideas!

@moonlightmelodiesasmr3766

Жыл бұрын

@@Healinglove also feeling dizzy and drained is very normal! I also used to have vivid nightmares after too. Those has stopped for the most part.

I did self emdr on myself unintentionally while walking 8-12 miles a day over two years. My therapist is fascinated by what I have done.

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

Very interesting! I assume you know that Francine Shapiro, who invented EMDR, came up with it spontaneously while walking as well! How interesting that you discovered it that way as well.

@lucianoinso

Жыл бұрын

@@lamdafinity I just watched a video of Andrew Huberman analyzing EMDR and he says that while we walk the eyes are doing the same movement and it has similar effects, it deactivates the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that alerts us when there is danger.

@515aleon

10 ай бұрын

It's valid. I just posted on a book called "Walking your blues away" by Thom Hartmann (though he is advocating a purposeful 20 min a day walk). I wish he hadn't used the word blues, but i suppose he wanted to keep it accessible. I just mentioned walking a labyrinth daily (non-theistically).

@thrisajimmy9005

8 ай бұрын

​@@BarbaraHeffernan Inviting you to say he conceptualized EMDR as Indigenous people across the world have been utilizing BLS since time immemorial ❤

@tanyawieczorek6603

5 ай бұрын

​@@thrisajimmy9005what's BLS?

I'm not sure I suffer from PTSD but I have used self-EMDR to desensitize myself to certain mildly traumatic past events and I've found it works very quickly for me. They weren't major life events, just sources of anxiety from situations where I didn't feel safe etc, and the lasting trauma from them was only mild, but I'd say my experience is that self-EMDR worked for me, even just taking a few minutes over the course of a few days to access the memories, with eye movements, and tell myself that it's in the past, things turned out OK and the memory alone can't hurt me in the present. Some are situations I can easily avoid in the future so I know I won't have to face them again, so there's nothing to continue worrying about. As a technique that's easy to use and requires no specialist equipment etc, I think it's worth a try for anyone who's curious about it - just be ready to stop if you feel like it's triggering you more than helping you. (I'm not an expert, just personal opinion.)

@thanksexportsshoes240

2 жыл бұрын

did you used vitural emdr ? for self therapy please reply your reply will give a light to me

@bobblebardsley

2 жыл бұрын

@@thanksexportsshoes240 I just thought about the problem memories while rapidly moving my eyes, no special techniques or apps. Like I said, I'm not sure if that should even work but it feels like it helps me.

@dabsmomos

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. This was helpful. I am less skeptical to listen to the video

@bobblebardsley

2 жыл бұрын

@@dabsmomos I think these things will always work differently for different people. I have found EMDR useful with or without the videos, I hope it works for you. Really hope you feel better.

@dabsmomos

2 жыл бұрын

@@bobblebardsley 🙏

I tried self administered EMDR having had counselling sessions and trauma focused CBT in the past and still use my CBT techniques to this day. I have diagnosed PTSD from multiple childhood traumatic events but decided to pick an isolated event which comes up as a flashback/image around the anniversary of my brothers death that usually triggers guilt and sadness. I had thought about my core beliefs and what my younger self needed to hear at that time, did the EMDR light board on a KZread video and managed to release all the guilt and sadness after one go! Today is my brothers death anniversary and for the first time in 28 years I feel completely neutral, calm and at peace with it! Even the image is vague in my mind now and has zero upset attached to it! I am able to say it was a really sad time and I’ll never forget him but it’s time for me to live my life now without guilt or sadness! Amazing!

@mega-gabriel

2 жыл бұрын

Hi! So happy you’re finding peace!!! Can you tell me which KZread light board you were watching/using please?

@brotherdeluxe2782

2 жыл бұрын

There’s nothing more inspiring than hearing that someone has achieved success in this difficult situation. Power to you and thank you for sharing.

@MKD-dd6ng

Жыл бұрын

Name your sources please!??? Want to watch them myself, and do the same! Ty.

@SpiritualSparkle770

Жыл бұрын

@@brotherdeluxe2782 aww thank you! I’m all for sharing if it helps someone else

@SpiritualSparkle770

Жыл бұрын

@@mega-gabriel thank you! I used one off isochronicalpha channel but there are lots of different ones on KZread

I am a PH.D. and EMDR certified. Your passion and presentation are spot on ! Thank you 🙏

@philanisukumane8405

11 ай бұрын

Good day Melaney. May I contact you privately. I would appreciate getting your contacts. I'm all the way in South Africa

@melaneysreenan7172

11 ай бұрын

@@philanisukumane8405 I’d love to connect !! How would you like to do that ? Zoom ?

@tanyawieczorek6603

5 ай бұрын

​@@melaneysreenan7172do you do EMDR sessions on Zoom still?

Thank you for breaking down this topic.

I didn't realise you could perform EMDR on your self. So firstly thanks for the awareness and also thanks for the balanced overview 👍. I'll be watching this again and again..

@BarbaraHeffernan

4 жыл бұрын

You are welcome!

You are a true treasure. Thank you for taking the time to support us traumatized individuals. I have CPTSD and have had a few EMDR sessions. I've started doing it at home now and I love it. I have a lot of self-awareness about why and how this happened, but I would be willing to see a therapist again in the future. Keep up your amazing work ♥️

Thank you for doing this and helping so many people in these difficult times

I'm currently doing EMDR with a therapist and have been for almost a year but I know that I need something additional to help me in between sessions. I've been afraid to do self administered EMDR however after watching the video I'm not as afraid and will start off with the "EMD" part of things. Thank you for posting this!

Thank you for sharing, Barbara! Always good to learn more!

@BarbaraHeffernan

4 жыл бұрын

I hope you found it helpful!

I've been going to a therapist, but starting to work on some things on my own. I've a lot of work to do, and sessions are exspensive.

Awesome video! Just what I was looking for. Thank you.

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

So glad it was helpful!

Thank you so so much for this video, just shared it to my friends. I wish us all here luck 🍀 you're strong

@BarbaraHeffernan

2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome, and thanks for sharing :) I hope this is helpful 😀

Bless you. You’re so honest, and helpful. Thank you so much.

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!! That is super nice to hear :)

Thanks for the balanced view

@BarbaraHeffernan

4 жыл бұрын

You are welcome!

This was honestly so helpful and beautifully explained thank you so much I found out this technique today and I already feel like I can jump into it thank you!!!

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! I'm putting out another video on self-administered EMDR on Tuesday, so stay tuned!!

Knowledge is power, never heard of this. Thank you!!!

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

You are welcome :)

I’ve never heard of this before. Thanks for enlightening me! ☺️

@BarbaraHeffernan

4 жыл бұрын

You are welcome! I have other videos on EMDR that explain it more - it might be able to help someone you know one day!

This really did help me. I have a therapist and we’ve been slowly working through trauma with different techniques but I’ve kept coming back to EMDR and I’m not sure if he’s trained in it (going to bring it up next session). But I do a lot of self-work outside of therapy and I do think I’d benefit from the self EMD aspect, and he can definitely help with at least the R haha.

I can really appreciate this because so many people need this but cannot afford it. I wanted to try EMDR and it was suggested for me by other therapists. But sadly my insurance wouldn’t help with it.

Thank you, I enjoyed this video :)

Thank you for this video & the links.

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

You are welcome!

Thank you for sharing this was very helpful

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Very helpful information about the "R" part of the process. Thank you so much❣️

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

Thanks for the pros and cons of whether we can do EMDR on ourselves or need a therapist! Very informative!

@BarbaraHeffernan

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Thank you Barbara. You appear a sensible, informed and compassionate. It was a delight listening to you. Am keen to follow up with the suggested videos.

@BarbaraHeffernan

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! Thanks for letting me know!

There is something about you that seems so sincere, like I FEEL I can trust what you're saying. I definitely finished this video with the sense you are committed to the mental well-being of others. It's as if you engender true hope, not just the "bank of knowledge" of many a professional or expert. I felt hopeful for the first time in awhile...i saw a trauma therapist for a short time when I was in crisis, desperate for EMDR, but she wouldn't attempt it until I was more emotionally regulated. I've seen a different therapist since for 2 years (CBT), but I'm still dysregulated to the same degree. My memories haunt me, and I can't help but feel my mind wants to expel them but can't. Something is holding on to them, and when I remember, I feel the events MORE than when they occurred. So sorry for the wall of text.

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Chartreuse: Thanks for the positive feedback - it is nice to hear. So sorry you have been struggling for so long. I do have a video on EMDR for complex PTSD. kzread.info/dash/bejne/gKmsr8-MicjHZbg.html Sometimes it is recommended for a therapist to work for an extended period of time with someone BEFORE doing the active processing stage with bilateral stimulation (sometimes it can be 1-2 years of working on emotional regulation , trust and other issues - this is still "doing" EMDR, just not the active processing stage). Other things can be very helpful, particularly yoga, meditation. There is hope!

@novardifunkegenaamdkaiser3491

3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I directly saw that too! She is not an ordinary therapist!

@lesleygarvs4640

Жыл бұрын

Because they can not practice it if you are not in a safe place, away from your abusor, call it abusive family members, or the job where they totally hate you and bully you, etc

@chartreusecat6642

Жыл бұрын

@@lesleygarvs4640 I understand

Best video on EMDR on KZread hands down

Great advice thank you 🙏!

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

You're so welcome!

Always clear, honest, balanced and so clarifying. Your videos are useful as a teacher's guide, as well! Thank you so much for giving such a high level quality information! This subject is quite new in my country, and it is taking the risk of becoming a fad phenomenon....

@BarbaraHeffernan

4 жыл бұрын

Hopefully the therapists are becoming fully trained in EMDR, and then I believe it can be super useful for an wide range of issues and clients. The self-administered can be a little trickier.

This was explained really well! 👍

@BarbaraHeffernan

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

This is a brilliant video

Are there specific Self-Administered EMDR videos on KZread that you'd recommend? I'm seeing a lot of options.. Thank you!

Thank you so much for being in my life

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

That is so sweet! You are welcome!

What a calming voice you have

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

Thank you 😊

Thank you very interesting and helpful Marie mccluskey

Just started EMDR with a therapist. I've only really done the safe space exercise but even that was a great help. I started using the safe place when confronted with overwhelming negative emotions. Haven't reprocessed anything yet but just taking time to create that space was a good exercise to do.

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

Awesome. I do wish you the best of luck with it, and the fact that the safe place was helpful is a great sign!

Thank you so much.

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

I feel so much better. I just bought the self-administered emdr membership and finished a session. Wow this is a game changer!

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

So pleased to hear that it helped!!

@jrchmrs

Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your review

Thank you so much! ❤

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome 😊

Thanks a lot for this! I’ve been doing online EMDR with a therapist for some months now, and it’s been very helpful. I will be stopping the sessions in some weeks, as I’m feeling better, and this sounds like a great option to try if I feel like I could use it again.

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Terrific! So pleased to hear the EMDR helped you!

@carriefurr1

Жыл бұрын

what website was yours through?

I did one EMDR by my self, which helped me walk through some feeling the reason. I then discussed it with my therapist.

This was really helpful barbara.

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

I'm so pleased to hear that. Wishing you health and healing.

Hello! Thank you!

@BarbaraHeffernan

2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome!

Thank you for this video I have never tried emdr although I’ve had a lot of therapy including trauma therapy. However I wanted to try self administered emdr for some recent smaller “traumas” that have got stuck in my brain.

Thanks for offering such a genuinely helpful explanation. Being a novice, and having just completed a very successful self administered session, I was looking for confirmation that I did it "right," and found your video. Turns out I did. Having the experience validated by a professional is affirming and super helpful. Thank You! You've got a new subscriber.

@BarbaraHeffernan

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for letting me know! Happy to hear it was successful for you :)

Awesome video!

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! And thanks for letting me know 😃

Hi, thanks for the great advice. How do we do the actual physical self administration of the EMDR ourselves? In terms of using our hands or a moving object, etc.

thank you for your video

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

You're so welcome!

I read Dr. Aaron Becks, ‘Feeling Good’, thirty years ago. It’’s only been recently that CBT has become mainstream. Meanwhile, life has cont’d. to unravel. Please cover real overwhelm and how to begin removing the layers, while addressing the real needs. Thank you! ..hopeful that help has finally materialized.✨🧡

Thank you. 💕

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome!

My daughter (now 18) and I both have had prior EMDR sessions with a therapist. I can easily talk quickly and move right to the next set of EMDR movements. My daughter, however, gets VERY distracted by the talking aspect and feels compelled to talk to the therapist, so has almost no sets of eye movement (when she was a minor, I discussed it with the therapist and they continued drawing out the talking instead of helping a traumatized/victimized teen work with EMDR who wanted to utilize it). I eventually got desperate to find something for her and found VirtualEMDR, and it has been AWESOME for her. She went from the emotional life of maybe a 8-9 year old when she was 17, to that of a 14-15 year old in a few months! Having no one to distract her with talking was a huge key for HER. The cost of the month of Virtual EMDR is less than one-hour sessions with our local therapist, too. Which is needed for a family of 8 with less than $30,000 a year! I still benefit more from an in-person session than the virtual, but it still helps me, too. Thank you for being so open about the pros and cons, not just dismissing self-EMDR!

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm so pleased Virtual EMDR was so helpful for your daughter!

@Hblue-ju9rv

Жыл бұрын

Hello where did you purchase or access the virtual emdr program thank you

@tanyawieczorek6603

5 ай бұрын

Violet, what was the exact program you and she used, please?

@VioletPersuasion

5 ай бұрын

​@@Hblue-ju9rvit's the program she links in her description of the video, Virtual EMDR. click that and use her affiliate link!

@VioletPersuasion

5 ай бұрын

​@@tanyawieczorek6603it's the program she links in her description of the video, Virtual EMDR. click that and use her affiliate link!

I used VirtualEMDR before getting EMDR with a therapist. I didn’t feel like doing it on my own was helping me at all and you are correct. I was doing the EMD and not the R. Now that I am seeing positive benefits from my EMDR therapist-led sessions once we are done working together, I plan to do the self-led EMDR therapy on my own. My moods are even, I’m very in touch with my emotions and my body, and my issues are little T traumas. My therapist has been impressed with how quickly I am proceeding through all the sessions. It helps me feel neutral about these events- like they are something that I saw in a movie or read about in a book.

@BarbaraHeffernan

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for sharing this! Yes, your experience of events being neutralized - that is exactly how it works! And it is wonderful that you are moving through everything! When you return to the self-administered, let us know how it goes! I am working on a couple of videos with some interviews with people who utilized the Virtual emdr site and a couple of them found it useful after finishing with their therapists as well: bit.ly/bhvirtualemdr

This video provides the information I need about EDMR. However, I found the flashing sparkly lights around the section titles really startling and think perhaps to match your calm therapist demeanor perhaps use a section title style to match that is not so "Shocking"

@erolfox

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed! The flashing lights are like a disco ball & techno stimulating us while trying to relax us verbally.

I did EMDR on my own for 3 years. Purposeful but if I hadn’t done it with a therapist I wouldn’t have been ready. Honestly I couldn’t imagine someone hurting doing emdr alone and without support to direct them back to their safe space.

Thank you

@BarbaraHeffernan

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Thank you for this. I had to interrupt my EMDR therapy because of Covid, and I am unsure of what to do. This gave me some insight.

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Terrific! Wishing you the best,

I’ve done my first self EMDR and found it super powerful and supportive. I’ve got a background in teaching transformational breathwork so I’m comfortable with catharsis and release, but it’s really great to have EMDR as an additional tool.

@BarbaraHeffernan

Ай бұрын

Wonderful! Thanks for sharing as it might be helpful for others. And, I agree your background is helpful for this!

Signed up for virtual emdr today.

@Nocturnal808

3 ай бұрын

How is it going for you?

I’ve done it on myself. 12 days straight 50-70mins per session. Then I did another 4 sessions just to follow up. Current Medication: Citilopram 10mg ^ Planning on cycling off within the next 2 months. I’ve done a ton of research on this before trying this myself. I also eased my way into the more heavy material (traumas). I’m in a “maintenance phase” right now. Just observing myself at this point. Last session was 4 days ago. Session before that was about a week before my last session. It’s a powerful tool to add to your tool belt, don’t do too much too soon.

I have done several EMDR sessions with a therapist some years ago. I have done a ton of therapy and processing of stuff but I have some new "trauma' with a current situation and I want to address the current stressors as well as peel back the layers of my original stuff. Fortunately I don't have any problems with severe trauma.. it is just a lot of smaller complex PTSD stuff and bad emotional dysregulation stuff. Specificallyl around $$ anxiety and things. I have tried to find an EMDR person but with the pandemic ti has been challenging... also interested in brainspotting

I have been doing EMDR with my therapists for over 10 years. I started doing some of the techniques on myself (tapping, butterfly hug, etc) during extremely difficult periods when I was between therapy sessions. What I found is that this helped me to move to a better place emotionally.

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 ай бұрын

I am so glad it's helping you!

Thanks so much for the info. I tried self administered desensitizing with a KZread video and got instant relief...after a few min of course. Felt lighter, mind relaxed. Thanks for pointing out adding a positive belief /outlook at the end. Gold 🙏🏼

@nineteenboston498

3 жыл бұрын

Which video did you use?

@vesnam7591

3 жыл бұрын

@@nineteenboston498 good luck!!

@nineteenboston498

3 жыл бұрын

@@vesnam7591 Thank you! I've been doing the tapping when the flashbacks come up on their own, and it's just like you said. Immediate relief, instantly calmer, and I'm able to process the memory and positive correlations much better. I may become brave and try with a therapist, but I'm not yet at the point where I can do the whole "completely falling apart" part of EMDR before getting better. Good luck to everyone reading and you, as well! We're stronger than we know.

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

How wonderful to hear!

@vesnam7591

3 жыл бұрын

@@nineteenboston498 you got the link? I posted it here, I think it was deleted

Thank you Barbara for the following comments. I felt much warmth and encouragement. " I wish you a lot of will being on your recovery journey. I truly do. It's worth doing. It is worth taking the time..." "Give yourself the time you need to heal, allow yourself the resources that are really going to help you get there." "I truly wish you health and healing and happiness" Thank you.

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

You are welcome! Thank you for letting me know it resonated. I’ll bring that in more - healing does take time and it is worth it!

This is the first EMDR exposition or video I have ever seen. I liked it VERY much! It was helpful and calming in itself, and I will explore the content on your site and also the virtual EMDR site you mentioned. Thank you. I am sincerely grateful..

This is totally working for me, Barbara! 😁🏄‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️Dr Inaki Pinuel don t recommend it... But you do.. So I started very formal, watching videos about emdr... I did like 4...but then, like Dr Inaki warned us... A bunch of unresolved trauma as flashbacks start invading you... Just as he said.... So when they started... I started moving my eyes(which by the way in itself is mindfulness... Needs concentration... And now whenever flashbacks attack me. I start moving my eyes... But also sometimes to play guided meditation at the same time or your safe place med(for me... Honestly needed more stuff as I was plagued with traumas)... Well sometimes I even forget them.. And doesn t have to be like long sessions, just half minute or less(or more), depending... The flashbacks go away... And if they come back... I fight them back... Thank you!! I did needed a second opinion, as many people complain is not safe... It is uncomfortable, however with your ahh mini series and much meditation... I don t feel so bothered... I rate my discomfort in a scale 1 to 10 and honestly sometimes, I don t even get to rate it!

@BarbaraHeffernan

11 ай бұрын

So pleased this is helping and that the ahh mini series helped as well! It is very brave to do on one's own when there are flashbacks... I have heard from many that it helps however!

I believe that for small traumas (memories of offenses or insults etc ..) it can also be done alone but for serious traumas (violence, earthquakes etc) then you have to do it with a therapist.

@BarbaraHeffernan

2 жыл бұрын

Yes. The only caution is for some people, processing small traumas quickly brings them into the more serious ones. Things don't always stay in compartments with emdr,...

@user-nt6fy2jr3u

Жыл бұрын

As someone from a country where earthquakes big and small are a semi-daily occurrence, I'd never even considered that earthquakes could be a cause of trauma for some! How interesting. But it makes sense, because even though it's a part of normal life, it's always slightly alarming and a bit scary. I wonder if the constant lingering threat of mass shootings/gun violence has an effect (a sense of trauma) on Americans too and to what extent?

@isocarboxazid

Жыл бұрын

@@user-nt6fy2jr3u I live in Mexico City and people freak the hell out even with minor earthquakes after the disaster in 2017. It's surprising that you find it surprising.

i find a video on youtube that helps me, its a line of boxes you follow them with your eyes its not painful it stops me thinking about anything reduces stress for awhile ok its not a cure but helps in some way ease the mental pain.

@ktcee803

3 жыл бұрын

Do you have a link to it? Thanks

@NightOwlGames

3 жыл бұрын

@@ktcee803 its a simple video just follow the boxes. kzread.info/dash/bejne/gaCas6uLeqjZic4.html

Brilliant

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

thank you!

So clear and easy-to-follow summary, thanks a lot!! When you mention the simple EMD youtube videos with a moving dot… I’m wondering, does it matter if the dot and the ping sound are moving to the same direction (eg. moving dot is in the right side of the screen and I hear the sound in my right ear), or in the opposite direction (eg. when the dot is in the right side, the audio ping can be heard in the left ear). So does it make any difference? :)

Thank you, Barbara, for this excellent video. Here is my question: How does EMDR work with someone who heavily represses his emotions and probably also has repressed memories of trama. It seems like EMDR normally focuses on the emotions associated with traumatic memories. But what you are disconnected from the emotions and have repressed the memories? Can ENDR still effective and how would it differ?

For those of us who have never heard of EMDR, maybe you should start by telling us what the acronym EMDR stands for and what it is.

Are you aware of Bessels work in the body keeps the score? He cites studies and does a good breakdown on its comparison with cbt. For me, it was liberating to learn that the positive effects didn't rely on the therapy relationship or actual verbal disclosure.

Thanks for all your videos. I have anxiety and panic attacks driving. So I'm trying to rewire my brain and find ways to change my negative thinking.

@barriyou1749

3 жыл бұрын

Same here🥲

I think more training is needed. I have seen counselors just dive into it. That didn’t work for me. Why is anxiety so hard to understand? Like some people don’t get it. You can’t jump into it, you must prepare first.

Thankyou for making this. Can you or anyone else help me with the following issue? When you say you wouldn't do EMDR if someone's emotions are too dysregulated and would instead focus on resources and cognitive behavioural tools? This is where I think I'm having trouble with this and other therapists: those resources and tools are things I'm perfectly aware of and know how to practice, but which no longer work. They used to work for problems I had with anxiety and ADHD-related issues, but they no longer work after life served up several large dollops of trauma on top of that. Everything - literally everything - that has been suggested to me is stuff I've already tried, and have continually attempted to use. It worked before I developed PTSD, it does not work now. So because of that, I seem to be being prevented from progressing to any other kind of treatment that would actually help me process my trauma, presumably because the risk of that with someone who is as emotionally dysregulated as I am is deemed too great. All these lectures talk about the need to "Get you stable" first. But after three years of therapy, various medications, and meditating myself into a frustrated mush while simultaneously having flashbacks, nightmares, exhaustion, and burn-out, all while trying to hold down a job so I can pay for therapy, I think this is about as stable as I'm likely to get. I admit that's not very, but it's as good as I can manage.

EMDR helped me with fear of sleeping. I have schizophrenia and dreams remind me of psychosis i got scared and got up. I did self-administered EMDR and was able to sleep. I moved my fingers right-left, then i moved my fingers in the form of infinity symbol, them i moved my fingers in the form of the ring

I wanted to start because I keep having night terrors, and it will be another two weeks before I get to see my EMDR therapist.

Hi Barbara. I really like and appreciate this channel. I think a lot of therapists would like to keep it so we have to go an see them instead of being able to work on ourselves. I was wondering, have you found generally with EMDR that people might have to work again on stuff that had been cleared maybe years before, even with a therapist? Also, if someone wants to work on self-confidence/esteem issues, is it necessary to have a memory or can we work on the feelings? Thanks.

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

Hi: Sometimes things can come up again, years later - particularly if triggered by an event that mirrors the earlier event... we are complex humans, so there are many iterations of how this goes! One can sometimes use emdr on feelings, although if they "loop" (don't resolve) it becomes unhelpful. Sometimes self esteem issues come from an "atmosphere" one grew up with - things that maybe weren't huge but happened "all the time". In this case, one can use a "representative" memory... again, complex questions and hard to say! (And apologies for the delay - I think I was away a month ago and I missed lots of comments!)

I don't get this safe place bit. I am reasonably safe most of the time. But it's not associated with a feeling so much as the lack of threat. I can put myself in mind 'unsafe' situations: Arguing with my step son, going to a class unprepared. Getting a tax audit letter from the IRS.

The aww mini course doesn't seem to be available on the website?

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Kolk talks about EMDR and studies they have done.

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, an excellent book: amzn.to/389bsSU. I refer to it in my video, Traumatic Memory Processing: kzread.info/dash/bejne/o5mJtLqfotLfiM4.html

There are 4 papers published on EMDR. Two on humans and two on mice. The literature suggests (if not confirms) positive benefits/results. One of these papers was published on Nature, which is the most prestigious academic scientific platform. They are not anecdotal. I recommend further research...

12:12 I’ve done a substantial amount of therapy in my life. I’ve done a lot of somatic therapy, heart and body oriented therapy and narrative therapy. My question about EMDR, I have been through a tremendous amount of trauma, however, I have very little access to the actual life events.” Meaning, I can’t always remember the particulars about those traumatic events. Is EMDR something that would still benefit me ethough I cannot recall the actual events? The emotions I experienced when I’m triggered are enormous and paralyzing, but, trying to explain the actual moment in time, that simply may not be possible for me.

1. Thoughts on somatic therapy? 2. Can it be done remotely? 3. When talk therapy limits or is failing what else do your recommend ?

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

I think incorporating a focus on somatic experience is quite important. Some people find Somatic Experiencing very helpful (I am not trained in that). EMDR therapy does incorporate the somatic element quite a bit. When talk therapy fails, I usually recommend EMDR, meditation, twelve step groups if that applies, - there are many healing modalities.

@jaymills1720

3 жыл бұрын

@@BarbaraHeffernan Thanks will check! How about short term (6-12 mos) of medication?

I'm very curious about how you would recommend treatment for somebody who is in regular therapy but would like to add self administered EMDR especially with comorbidities and other issues aside from trauma. For someone who experienced dissociation and multiple identities, but also experienced bouts of agoraphobia.. please give me your thoughts and I appreciate you putting videos like this out there! I didn't even know you could self administer EMDR

@adamj2683

3 жыл бұрын

For working with the dissociation and multiple identities, i highly suggest checking out Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS). Videos on youtube and books on it. Also an audiobook "More than the sum of our parts" by the creator of IFS. Book called "Self-Therapy" by Jay Earley about using IFS on your parts/identities.

The strangest thing that happened to me is that while doing EMDR is that I stepped into my mom’s perspective, meaning I was seeing life as my mom, and i kept saying “it’s not fair.” My traumas were caused by my not and father.

@lesleygarvs4640

Жыл бұрын

Because they were evil parents, we call them 0 parents, meaning you should have zero contact with them before even dreaming to do emdr... Or it won t work

Would love to know what you know about EMDR therapy in combination with anti-anxiety medication as opposed to EMDR therapy without it. Is there a difference? Asking because I may have to start taking medication and I will eventually do EMDR therapy once I learn all my coping tools with my therapist. Thanks!

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Chew Bear. Great question!! I should do a video on this! :). Overall, there are certain medications that can work very well with EMDR and those that impede processing. There is research that benzodiazepines impede processing (xanax, valium, etc). These medications are also addictive. SSRIs are anti-depressants that sometimes can help people with anxiety a lot. I have found that people on SSRIs can process EMDR without a problem. During the time period where someone is first getting on a medication or changing the medication, it may be worthwhille pausing EMDR, but otherwise, not a problem. Hope that is helopful!

@chewbear

3 жыл бұрын

Barbara Heffernan thank you, that’s very helpful!

@jhh53

Жыл бұрын

@@BarbaraHeffernan Wow, great question, and this is very helpful to know! How about Abilify? Would that interfere with EMDR?

How did I not even know that this is a thing? Thank you!

@BarbaraHeffernan

4 жыл бұрын

Perhaps it can be helpful for someone you know one day!!

I have had a very positive experience with an EMDR Therapist that utilized headphones where I listened to calming music which incorporated binaural beats. Is it important to stay with this tool? (Also, I moved away from this wonderful Therapist and I'm considering making a trip back to her. I have tried local practitioners but have been disappointed.)

@BarbaraHeffernan

4 жыл бұрын

Hi: Most people are online these days, so perhaps your prior therapist is as well! And maybe she can be encouraged to do more EMDR online, if she is not now - particularly since you had a good experience. There are some binaural beat videos on KZread that you can listen to with headphones. Some people have a strong preference for one of the modalities - headphones vs. tappers vs. self-tapping vs. eye movements, and some people can move between them. Wishing you luck with this!

Hi Barbara, I found your video very helpful and decided to try self-administered EMDR. Can you tell me if I could use a pendulum as an EMDR tool since I don't really want to rely on technology. I heard about the butterfly tapping and will try it out but I would much more prefer a visual tool. Thanks a million!

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Hi: I have no idea how a pendulum would work!!

@pupmi

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your reply! Do you think it is worth giving a try?

@madsschmidtchristensen1761

3 жыл бұрын

I have no experience in EMDR yet but was thinking of using a pendulum clock. Just an idea for you :)

@dealightful5745

Жыл бұрын

Try a metronome, move it closer to yourself, for the proper, wider eye movements. It is great, as you can adjust the speed accordingly: slower at the start for resourcing, then quicker, when you do desensitisation.

One question I can't find an answer to is for how long, each time, do you move your eyes back and forth? Ten seconds? 30 seconds? Ten minutes? And when you move your eyes to one side, do you want to bring whatever is in your eyesight into focus or do you want to wash your eyes back and forth maintaining a sort of blurry image? Or does it matter? For exsmple I may use the outer rims of my eye glasses to focus on when I move my eyes from side to side to give me a fixed point to stop at and keep my side to side movements consistent. I could just sort of "see" my rims but not capture them and bring them into focus, or I can really adjust my eyes when I see them and lock into them for a split second with visual clarity before I move to the other side.

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

I think a gentle focus on the lights as they move, and trying not to overthink the rest! The timing is interesting - as therapists are trained to look for certain signs to adjust timing... but I'd throw out a guess of 2-3 minutes...

What do you do if talking therapies and drugs haven't worked despite numerous different trials (different therapies and drugs for 7 years)?

How do you access physiological safety when you have chronic pain, physical disabilities and some life/limb threatening long lasting chronic illness? Thank you so much

@BarbaraHeffernan

2 жыл бұрын

When our bodies feel a lack of safety we are releasing the chemicals we need to run away from a saber tooth tiger, not the chemicals we need for rest and healing. This is not easy for people with chronic pain, though it is possible, and may require outside help.

This answered most of my questions & was helpful, I’m still wondering though, what if your trauma event is more like many events from childhood, so many events they don’t necessarily have their own memory… hmmm

@BarbaraHeffernan

11 ай бұрын

Yes, continual almost "atmospheric" traumas can still be worked with in EMDR. Maybe a little harder on one's own. I would usually have a client picture a "typical" experience - it wouldn't have to be specific - one of those "this happened all the time" and process. Hope that is helpful!

I’ve done it on myself 4 times; boy it’s hard but I can regulate myself.

@BarbaraHeffernan

3 жыл бұрын

Awesome that you can regulate yourself! I am going to post a video on Tuesday about 3 snags that come up in processing which might be helpful. Wishing you the best!

Thank you for putting this information here! My husband is a soldier and has PTSD from war. I have been trying to research how to perform this technique because he will not go to a therapist to have it done. I appreciate this so much.

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

You are welcome. I wish you and your husband health and healing!

Thank you for explaining from a therapist point of view what it is that you do to help the patient during an EMDR session.

@BarbaraHeffernan

Жыл бұрын

You are welcome!

with how i’m feeling now, i don’t feel like i can ever experience 🕹. i’m traumatized. my brain is highjacked, as bessel van der kolk says. the fight or flight is out of control. the fear and pain of the past and now and future, unbearable. i’m sick of suffering. i feel so paralyzed.