Re:emdr and anger

EMDR can be used to address anger/rage, and for some people the standard protocol will work just fine. When the question refers to repressed or suppressed rage, or dissociated rage, the solution is more complex.

In my day-long workshop on the use of Ego State Therapy with EMDR, I address the details of how to do this work. In short, containment and other safety measures are necessary first. Degree (if any) of dissociation needs to be determined, and a special procedure used if dissociative disorders are present. The self-system needs to consent to the work, including that part of the self that contains the anger. At the end of the EMDR session, there needs to be time to ensure proper containment before the client leaves the office. For some people, the preparation and getting consent of the self system will take weeks or months before EMDR can be used -- with some people it can be done quite rapidly -- just depends.

That's all I have time for now -- but as a close, I'll remind that anger is always there for a reason, and is generally self-protective (even if it is problematic). That role needs to be appreciated before it can be resolved for many clients.

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