EMDR FORUM ARCHIVE, 2000
Duration of Treatment
L · 04/02/01 at 8:53 ET
My impression, from reading this forum and other sources on the web re EMDR, and from Francine Shapiro's book, was that EMDR generally takes 3-15 sessions. The caveat that people with histories of multiple incidents, especially in childhood, take longer than those with single incident trauma, led me to assume I would need 15 sessions, since no other information was provided. I think it would be very helpful if clinicians with experience of clients with complicated histories would be more forthcoming about how long such clients can expect to do EMDR. Yes--every person is different. But a statement similar to the "generally takes 3-15 sessions" on EMDr's faq's might say something like "a person with a complicated history of trauma, etc. who has had previous psychotherapy should generally be prepared to do EMDR for 1-3 years." I've found several people who have similar histories to mine: each of them has had several years of EMDR. Sometimes biweekly, sometimes weekly. All of them have previously had psychotherapy for a number of years. It's a very small sample, but the best I can find. Personally I've found EMDR very helpful so far, but also very difficult. Had I realized when I began 6 months ago that I would be in for the long haul, I would have had the chance to prepare for that better. I'd have spoken with my husband about it, rethought my work schedule (I'm a self-employed professional), and so on. I have a young daughter and have to plan my day with her in mind and that is different if I'm going to be in therapy for a couple of years, especially as we're in the process of expanding our family. It would also be helpful if information on EMDR included strategies for maintaining work and family responsibilities while doing this kind of intensive work.
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