Re:why was this done?

Well, prior respondents have said a lot, so I'll just make a couple of quick points in general:

- By no means is it part of EMDR training to yell or scream at a client.
- Many therapists use touching but do so at considerable risk to the clients and to themselves, as it can easily be interpreted. Tapping is often used as a form of EMDR bilateral stimulation, but many clients don't want to be touched -- many prefer tapping so again client consent is important. Fewer therapists hug now than ever before because it is confusing and risky all around.
- DID clients are sometimes very sensitive to anything remotely resembling boundary violations, and for very good reason, given their histories. Trust is a huge issue. Sometimes a a touch or hug can trigger a full-scale flashback and/or switch, and the DID client may become confused about what is happening, and whether the therapist is the original perpetrator.
- Some therapists are poorly trained or unwise.

All the issues above, except tapping, have nothing to do with EMDR in particular, but have everything to do with therapy in general.

EMDR therapists are trained to 1) get consent, 2) screen for dissociation before doing EMDR and 3) if DID is present do not proceed without appropriate training and knowledge of an appropriate DID protocol, such as mine.

Sandra Paulsen Inobe, PhD
Fair Oaks, CA

Replies:

Re:why was this done?, by caged_bird, 08/22/01 Re:why was this done?, by Norman Goldwasser, Ph.D., 08/23/01

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