edmr

I am a 56 year old male who suffered 32 years of emotional and sexual abuse from my former wife. All of this was very subtle and insidious or else I wouldn't have put up with it. I have now been divorced from her for 5 years and have continued to suffer many of the effects of the abuse. I have been to two previous therapists for help, but unfortunately didn't get much from them, even after a number of sessions with each. Approximately two months ago I started receiving therapy from a therapist who uses EMDR. I have found this therapy to be very helpful. I no longer suffer the terrible emotional pain I suffered for years.

However, I have several questions about the effects of this therapy. Not only has it desensitized me to the pain I suffered it has also desensitized me to other feelings as well.

On her internet advertisement of her book "Transforming Trauma: EMDR" Dr. Laurel Parnell, states "Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDRŽ) has helped thousands of clients haunted by terrible abuse histories or recent traumatic events. It also benefits patients who have not found relief with other therapies and those with such chronic conditions as eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and blocked personal and professional performance". She also states "Not only does healing occur much more rapidly than in traditional therapy, but clients experience a sense of joy, openness, and deep connection with others (italics added).

This therapy doesn't seem to be helping me with my blocked personal and professional performance. In fact, I seem to have less feeling, less drive, less emotional strength, than before this therapy. I am floundering. I appear to be lost.

Dr. Parnell also states "Not only does healing occur much more rapidly than in traditional therapy, but clients experience a sense of joy, openness, and deep connection with others (italics added). This isn't true for me. I feel no joy, no pleasure, no happiness. I feel almost empty emotionally.

Can you help? Any suggestions? I want to feel joy, happiness. I want to get on with my life. I don't want to be blocked. There is so much I would like to do.

Thank you for any suggestions.

NLM

Replies:

Re: edmr, by K Forte, 6/29/99 Re: emdr, by Shapiro, 6/30/99

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