EMRD Therapy

[Dianna_Child of God]

Has anyone done EMRD therapy? EMDR Therapy - Is EMDR Therapy an Effective Treatment

My therapist has been taking training classes and uses it for most of her BPD patients. I am nervous about this. I have never really dug into my past, the tragic events. We are to start with happy memories then dig into the past. She said things could get worse when dealing with those before it gets better. We have to set up an extensive coping list, from actives, safe places to go so I don't harm myself, support people, religious support and so on.

I am so scared to dig into those issues that caused BPD. I feel like telling her that I can't do this.

 

[Everlasting33]

I have done EMRD. My therapist and I worked on it for quite a while. There were mixed feelings about it. For instance, we went over a situation that kept coming back with the same feelings. My therapist seems a little discouraged but we went back further in my past. I dealt with an incident with my mother and it certainly did help to go over it again and again. Overall, I found it effective in conjuction with inner child therapy.

Like you have suspected, the work can be very emotionally difficult and I also found myself not wanting to do it. But, remember that is what you are there for...to find healing. Think about your life without it ever changing. And, then think of your life when you choose healing.

 

[Dianna_Child of God]

My biggest worry is with self-harm. I worry that it will increase as the emotional issues are dealt with. I do not self-harm anywhere near what I use to. Just so worried that will take over again.

 

[Everlasting33]

Have you expressed this to your therapist? It would be helpful to go over ways to prevent this from happening.

 

[Dianna_Child of God]

Yes she does know and we were going to discuss it more today but I had to cancel because my boys were home sick. I will see her next Tuesday.

 

[madison1101]

It can be frightening to look at our pasts, and there is the definite possibility of decompensating back to our negative behaviors. I have had such periods in the past 22 years of therapy, the worst being a two year relapse into my alcoholism. But, if your therapist is good, she will be able to help you learn from such a relapse and grow stronger.

The other thing to remember is that you are not venturing into the past alonge. Christ is with you throughout your therapy sessions. Psalm 139 reminds me of that.

Finally, if you are a child of God's, you can do this. Scriptures like, "I can do all things through Christ who give me strength" and "With God, all things are possible" come to mind.

If you find this form of therapy overwhelming, it might be best to seek Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I have had an excellent therapist who has done this form of therapy with me for a very long time. In CBT, the therapist helps a person examine the past traumas and experiences, not to feel the feelings over again, but to learn the root of the patient's thinking. Using these experiences as a base, the therapist then challenges the patient's thinking, working toward a more healthy way of seeing the past, and learning how to change the patient's behavior as a result.

 

[Dianna_Child of God]

I did tell my therapist last Tuesday that I am really worried about the self-harm getting out of control again. My home is not a safe place for me because it can be done here. With the boys I don't have the opportunity at anytime to go somewhere that is safe, like church.
We were doing DBT and not really getting anywhere.
What is the difference between DBT and CBT?
I am so thankful God is with me. I know right now with as stressed as I am, if he was not, I would be giving into the things that hurt me.