Re:Nightmares/EMDR

I did EMDR about a year and a half ago. The first session was really horrid for me because I was overwhelmed by the feelings I had as I was not used to feeling such emotions. If you have a really good EMDR therapist then he/she should be able to pick up on the strong reactions and instead of pushing forward be able to assist you in finding your "safe place". After my first session the EMDR therapist and I decided we would talk for a few sessions. When I was ready to do EMDR again later it was still very intense however we went very slowly which was helpful. I found that what I learned through EMDR about how my mind works and processes things really helpful. I always had horrid nightmares after an EMDR session and despite the need I felt for sleep would actually make myself stay up the night of a session out of fear. Over time I was able to find some strange comfort in my nightmares. I reminded myself that although it was an awful feeling waking up so scared etc that it was my minds way of processing some of the junk and moving things in my head around. After some 5 sessions I did veto EMDR and went back to talk therapy but that choice was made by both my EMDR therapist and myself. I encourage you to talk about all this in therapy and I hope things are going well with you.

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Re:Nightmares/EMDR, by , 10/16/03

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