EMDR in the Treatment of Adults Abused As Children

Rating:
Summary: If you think it's hocus pocus, you don't understand it
Review: As an experienced EMDR client, neuropsych. researcher, Early Childhood Educator and childhood abuse survivor I finally found a book that tells it like it REALLY IS. Laura Parnell has the awesome capacity to translate what my brain was activating, my mind thinking and my emotions feeling in a direct and insightful manner. This is MUST READING for anyone working with children as well as those of us still learning how to use our weakest link as our strongest link. After reading this book I was able to go on vacation for the first time in my life truly at peace with the present.

Rating:
Summary: EMDRite FINALLY FINDS BOOK THAT TELLS IT LIKE IT IS
Review: As an experienced EMDR client, neuropsych. researcher, Early Childhood Educator and childhood abuse survivor I finally found a book that tells it like it REALLY IS. Laura Parnell has the awesome capacity to translate what my brain was activating, my mind thinking and my emotions feeling in a direct and insightful manner. This is MUST READING for anyone working with children as well as those of us still learning how to use our weakest link as our strongest link. After reading this book I was able to go on vacation for the first time in my life truly at peace with the present.

Rating:
Summary: Move trauma out of your nervous system.
Review: EMDR helps you to integrate the two halves of your brain and to heal from trauma that is trapped in your nervous system. EMDR is a very effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It isn't quite as spectacular as the books make it seem, but it really can work. EMDR helps you to recognize that the abuse happened in the past, and is not happening in the present. Therefore it is easier for you to process your traumatic experiences because you don't have to live as if the abuse is still happening. This book has a more realistic view on EMDR in the treatment of adults abused as children. Some books claim that healing occurs in only a few sessions. That may be the case for a person with a single trauma, or a trauma in adulthood, but there is no real quick fix for the person abused extensively and long term during childhood (especially if abused by a parent figure). However, EMDR can speed up the process.

EMDR was extremely helpful to me. I would bring my traumatic memories to therapy and talk it through while doing the eye movements. Nothing incredible would happen during the session. I would go through all the things I remember and the fragmented pieces that invade my mind. Then, during the week, the process of acceptance and healing would seem to speed up. I would have full flashbacks, panic attacks, and PTSD symptoms. Although that seems unpleasant (usually it seems to get worse before it gets better) the result was that I could move the trauma out of my body and mind more effectively. Before I did EMDR I would have flashbacks, panic attacks and PTSD, but the trauma would remain trapped and constant in my life. The EMDR helped me to better process my traumatic experiences and eventually have less flashbacks and PTSD symptoms. This allowed me to be free of the trauma constantly invading my present reality, to fully face my past, and to heal.

I also read "EMDR: The Breakthrough Therapy for Overcoming Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma" by Francine Shapiro. That book provides a good overview and understanding of EMDR, and what it can be used for. I recommend reading Shapiro's book in combination with Laurel Parnell's book.

In addition this book is very helpful for understanding the effects of child abuse (particularly sexual abuse), and offers information for many other helpful adjunctive therapies. While I did EMDR I also did The Feldenkrais Method, a subtle movement form that helps move trauma out of the body and increase your range of motion. Then as I moved the trauma out of my body I was ready to do yoga, meditation, and to receive massage. Also, journal writing has been my companion throughout all stages of the healing process. Check out my listmania for other books on healing from sexual abuse.

Rating:
Summary: Move trauma out of your nervous system.
Review: EMDR helps you to integrate the two halves of your brain and to heal from trauma that is trapped in your nervous system. EMDR is a very effective treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It isn't quite as spectacular as the books make it seem, but it really can work. EMDR helps you to recognize that the abuse happened in the past, and is not happening in the present. Therefore it is easier for you to process your traumatic experiences because you don't have to live as if the abuse is still happening. This book has a more realistic view on EMDR in the treatment of adults abused as children. Some books claim that healing occurs in only a few sessions. That may be the case for a person with a single trauma, or a trauma in adulthood, but there is no real quick fix for the person abused extensively and long term during childhood (especially if abused by a parent figure). However, EMDR can speed up the process.

EMDR was extremely helpful to me. I would bring my traumatic memories to therapy and talk it through while doing the eye movements. Nothing incredible would happen during the session. I would go through all the things I remember and the fragmented pieces that invade my mind. Then, during the week, the process of acceptance and healing would seem to speed up. I would have full flashbacks, panic attacks, and PTSD symptoms. Although that seems unpleasant (usually it seems to get worse before it gets better) the result was that I could move the trauma out of my body and mind more effectively. Before I did EMDR I would have flashbacks, panic attacks and PTSD, but the trauma would remain trapped and constant in my life. The EMDR helped me to better process my traumatic experiences and eventually have less flashbacks and PTSD symptoms. This allowed me to be free of the trauma constantly invading my present reality, to fully face my past, and to heal.

I also read "EMDR: The Breakthrough Therapy for Overcoming Anxiety, Stress, and Trauma" by Francine Shapiro. That book provides a good overview and understanding of EMDR, and what it can be used for. I recommend reading Shapiro's book in combination with Laurel Parnell's book.

In addition this book is very helpful for understanding the effects of child abuse (particularly sexual abuse), and offers information for many other helpful adjunctive therapies. While I did EMDR I also did The Feldenkrais Method, a subtle movement form that helps move trauma out of the body and increase your range of motion. Then as I moved the trauma out of my body I was ready to do yoga, meditation, and to receive massage. Also, journal writing has been my companion throughout all stages of the healing process. Check out my listmania for other books on healing from sexual abuse.

Rating:
Summary: If you think it's hocus pocus, you don't understand it
Review: I've used EMDR to treat many sexually abused patients. It is an extremely powerful tool that doesn't rely on only eye movements but rather on the physiology of the brain addressed by stimulating it, the brain, in a symmetrical and bilateral means. It is the only tool I've found that can allow the healing of a single traumatic memory (such as a rape) in a way that does not re-traumatize the patient. Recommded highly.