The Shift to Self-Administered EMDR
In recent years, there’s been a growing interest in self-administered EMDR. This approach empowers individuals to take an active role in their healing journey, using EMDR principles in a self-guided format.
How Does Self-Administered EMDR Work?
Self-administered EMDR typically involves similar phases to traditional EMDR.
Understanding the Basics of EMDR
EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing,is the most recognised treatment of trauma and other psychological stressors based on significant amount of clinical trials that support it. There are more clinical trial supporting EMDR therapy than any other talk based therapy.
EMDR therapy is conducted by trained therapists with the focus on helping individuals process and integrate traumatic memories in a way that reduces their long-term impact. In this process we are taxing the working memory so it becomes very fatiguing to think about the stressor. The hippocampus, the memory retrieval part of the brain recalibrates so that the stressor becomes desensitised.
Identification of Problem or Issues:
- Just like in regular EMDR, the process begins with identifying the specific memories or stressors you want to work on or a future goal or stressor you would like to address.
Preparation and Self-Grounding Techniques:
- Since you’re doing this without a therapist’s direct guidance, it’s crucial to learn certain protocols, practice self-regulation and progressive muscle relaxation techniques to ensure emotional safety.
- Using Bilateral Stimulation: In a self-administered setting, ones eyes replicate the process of REM sleep whereby your eyes are moving backwards and forwards repeatedly to desensitise the stressor as what happens during your deep dream state sleep.
- Closure and Self-Care: Ending each session with a grounding exercise and planning self-care activities is essential to ensure emotional stability.
The Benefits of Self-Administered EMDR
1.Enhanced Accessibility
- Convenience: Accessible from the comfort of your home, making it easier for those who prefer or require a home-based approach. It offers a form of support for those who might not have access to a trained EMDR therapist when they can’t get an appointment.
- Reach: Suitable for individuals who may not have easy access to professional EMDR therapists, such as those in remote or underserved areas.
2.Empowerment in Personal Healing
- Self-Efficacy: Encourages a sense of control and active participation in one’s own healing process, which can be particularly empowering for those who feel overwhelmed by their experiences.
- Personal Growth: Facilitates a deeper understanding of personal mental health, essential for long-term wellbeing. It can be empowering to take control of your healing process and can be used as tool for self coaching. With the right training and ability to be coached in Self-Administered EMDR you become your own Life Coach.
3.Flexibility and Customisation
- Pace: Allows individuals to proceed at a pace that feels comfortable and safe for them, accommodating various needs and sensitivities.
- Flexibility: You can work at your own pace and on your own schedule.
4.Cost Effectiveness
- Economic Advantage: Potentially reduces the need for frequent therapy sessions, which can be a financial barrier for many.
- Resource Savings: Saves on resources like petrol and travel time which can be significant, especially for those with limited mobility or in rural areas.
5.Supports Continuous Learning and Adaptation
- Skill Building: Develops self-regulation and grounding techniques, crucial for dealing with conditions like panic attacks or personality disorders.
- Adaptive Techniques: Encourages learning and adapting new coping strategies, beneficial for those with conditions like eating disorders or addictions.
6.Complementary to Traditional Therapy
- Integration: Can be used alongside other therapeutic approaches, offering a holistic approach to conditions like body dysmorphic disorders or complicated grief.
- Therapeutic Alliance: Encourages a proactive role in therapy, enhancing the therapeutic experience, especially useful for performance anxiety or stress reduction.
7.Privacy and Comfort
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- Discretion: Can be done in a private setting, offering comfort and confidentiality, which is crucial for those dealing with sensitive issues like sexual or physical abuse.
- Safe Environment: Allows individuals to process emotions in a familiar and secure environment, important for addressing phobias, disturbing memories, or dissociative disorders.
Important Considerations of Self-Adminsered EMDR
- Not for Everyone: Self-administered EMDR is not suitable for everyone, especially those with severe trauma or psychiatric conditions.
- Professional Guidance is Key: It’s advisable to at least start with a professional EMDR therapist before transitioning to a self-administered approach. I offer a training process that allows my clients to perform EMDR on themselves in a safe way. This involves face-to-face processing and training sessions with myself.
- Safety First: Understanding and practicing self-regulation and grounding techniques is crucial to ensure emotional safety before and after bi-lateral stimulation. This is something that many self-administered digital platforms don’t offer. I supply my clients with easy to action protocols, tools and resources to ensure the benefits of Self-Administered EMDR.
It is risky to perform self-administered EMDR on oneself using online digital platforms that do not offer the support of a professional.
I offer a robust framework package that includes face to face EMDR sessions (at my practice or online) and Self Administered EMDR training. You will be fully trained and supplied with all the tools you need to psychological benefit from the EMDR process.
Self Actualised EMDR is a cost effective and time efficient path on your journey towards healing and personal growth .
Package Price $2600
Contact me at here for more info on my Self-Adminstered EMDR package