The conversation revolves around a demonstration of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Dr. Alexa Altman, a specialist in EMDR, guides the listener through a condensed EMDR session.
The session begins with the listener identifying a present-day stressor related to the launch of their book. The stressor is the fear of not receiving positive feedback or criticism for the book. The listener experiences symptoms such as self-doubt and self-criticism, which are emotionally charged and have a significant impact on their life.
The EMDR therapy session follows an eight-step protocol. The first step is identifying the target, which is the memory that is most distressing to the listener. In this case, the target is a memory of being yelled at by a coach during a softball game in middle school. The listener associates this memory with feelings of not being good enough and experiencing sadness and anger.
The therapy session then moves into the reprocessing phase, where the listener is guided to recall the memory and the associated emotions. The listener is encouraged to observe the experience without judgment, allowing the memory to come and go without getting caught up in the emotions.
The listener is then guided to tap their knees lightly while focusing on the memory and the associated emotions. This is done to help the listener process the memory and reduce its intensity.
During the session, the listener experiences a shift in their perception of the memory. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the memory, they begin to see it in a different light. They realize that the experience was a teaching moment and that they learned important lessons from it.
The session ends with the listener feeling a sense of confidence and self-worth. They realize that they are good enough and capable of achieving their goals. The listener expresses interest in applying the insights gained from the EMDR session to future experiences, such as presenting their book or speaking in public.
Throughout the session, Dr. Altman emphasizes the importance of staying present and observing the experience without judgment. She also explains the role of the therapist in an EMDR session, which is to guide the process and provide interventions when needed, but to let the person's system do most of the reprocessing.
The session concludes with the listener feeling more confident and less anxious about the future, demonstrating the potential benefits of EMDR therapy in managing stress and self-doubt.
1. The EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) session will be a demonstration of what the process looks like, focusing on a present-day stressor. [Source: Transcript]
2. The EMDR session will include the "float back" technique, which involves revisiting an earlier experience or life event that may have contributed to the present-day stressor. [Source: Transcript]
3. In EMDR, a "target" is defined as something that is emotionally charged or a symptom of a trauma. It can be a present-day experience, a past memory, or a future experience. [Source: Transcript]
4. The EMDR process includes identifying the target and activating the memory network by noting the emotion, sensation, cognition, and image. This opens up the memory storage and begins the reprocessing phase. [Source: Transcript]
5. The reprocessing phase involves bringing up all the material associated with the target. This is followed by eliciting bilateral stimulation, which can be self-elicited. [Source: Transcript]
6. The therapist's role in EMDR is to be quiet and present, allowing the patient to experience the memory without interruption. The therapist invites the patient to notice any changes in thought, feeling, or sensation that arise during the reprocessing phase. [Source: Transcript]
7. EMDR therapy is different from traditional talk therapy. In EMDR, the patient is encouraged to observe the memory without reliving it, much like watching the scenery go by on a train. [Source: Transcript]
8. The therapist will invite the patient to pause the tapping, take a deep breath, and then report anything they noticed. This could be a change in thought, feeling, or sensation. [Source: Transcript]
9. In EMDR, the therapy is considered complete when the memory's intensity on a scale of one to 10 is reduced to zero, and the negative belief associated with the memory (e.g., "I'm not enough") has shifted to a more positive belief (e.g., "I am enough"). [Source: Transcript]
10. The EMDR process can lead to shifts in beliefs and feelings associated with past experiences, which can be applied to future experiences, such as presenting a book or giving a talk. [Source: Transcript]