Re:Comments on this board

Dr. Paulsen wrote:

"This is a very interesting question, whether the abreactive/trauma processing work outside of EMDR for DID clients produces similar or different results as that produced by EMDR.

I think it is thorny however one processes, partial whether with EMDR or without, so one has to go back and check to see that all the channels are clear.

Any DID folks care to comment?"

Hi... just a couple of comments.

My experience has been that EMDR and other techniques accomplish the same results but with vast differences in speed and stabilization.

I found "looping", "generalization" and other "EMDR" words very helpful to describe my experiences in nonEMDR therapy. I wondered why I had never heard those terms before, since they perfectly described my internal experiences from session to session.

EMDR seems to have a unique ability to speedily integrate somatic, cognitive and emotive aspects of self -- aspects that might never get addressed in traditional talk therapy. That is NOT always a good thing. But I don't think the results, themselves, are any different from what one might gain, from, say, five years of talk therapy. On the other hand... not everyone wants to engage in five years of talk therapy, in which case EMDR is great.

You can dig all the rotten stuff out with EMDR and let the chips fall where they may. It's like condensing an excruciating process... it'll be excruciating no matter how long it takes, if you can do it quickly and not fall (all the way) off the proverbial edge of the cliff, then go ahead.

On the other hand, I endured much destabilization attempting and doing EMDR. I see a therapist now who incorporates sand tray, art, hugs, etc into my therapy. This accomplishes the same "integration" as EMDR without the destabilization. I feel a lot more contained and safer this way. However, if I were doing more traditional psychotherapy without those elements, I can see where EMDR would be very tempting... as a quicker fix.

For DID folks, I'd rec'd trying almost anything before EMDR... energy work, play, art, sand tray, beating pillows... :) Almost any of these techniques can be incorporated into the sort of protocol that EMDR utilizes. In other words... choosing a target, applying the technique, watching for changes, checking out those "channels" etc. EMDR can be very quiet and meditative and client driven -- I think it's SUPPOSED to be all those things -- but other techniques can be made to include the same elements.

But I ramble. :)

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