EMDR and AIP models for trauma therapy

The diagram here and below represents a roadmaps for healing using EMDR is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. This is part of the AIP (Adaptive Information Processing Model)

The overall goals are to decrease your sensitivity to triggers and severity of resulting symptoms (depression, anxiety,  guilt, anger, negative beliefs or self-image) and improve and increase your internal resources, self-image and window of tolerance. It is often used to treat PTSD and other traumas. Modern thinking is that most of our ailments stem from childhood trauma, so this could be applicable to everyone.  Look at this EMDR Formulation tool PDF for a great way to understand this. 

My EMDR Therapy Experience 
My therapist helped me map out my three main core wounds. We did this after several weeks in the preperation stage, and we formulated a core mother wound and a core father wound, which resulted in unique triggers, belief systems and symptoms. It's very personal so I won't reveal it all, but being able to stand back from all that and see how things have formed allowed me to also consider what resources and resilience I have and consider my goals as we moved into the phase ' Protocol Of Stabilisation' and 'P5' installing more resilience to gradually help me to become more able to 'be with' challenges and less reactive, but also to spot my reactions sooner and have useful methods to come back into balance. 

My Humorous Adaptation Of The Model
I've  adapted the Formulation tool here to make it easier to understand, using acronyms (of course). I like to see things with humour to help me feel lightness and positivity even about traumatic things. This model isn't all of the work. The relationship between counsellor and client is still paramount as in the person centred model (which is the foundation of most counselling modalities) but this can help a person who, like me, finds it helpful to see the formulation of ones symptoms with clarity and form a roadmap towards their goals:

1. Traumatic Experiences and Memories of the Past  (TEMP) Through talking about the past and finding the emotional 'target' memories they are then rated on the 'Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale' (SUDS), from 0-10. The therapy doesn't start here, but these memories become apparent after a few sessions. 
2. Present Moment Triggers (PMT) Including Intrusions. This is the  beginning of the cycle of reactions that arise. This often becomes apparent in early sessions. 
3. Resilience and Resources (RnR). This could be grounding practices, joyful habits, but also psycho-spiritual imagination resources like a happy/calm place in your mind, or inner helpers (nurturer, protector, wise person). By building these up in advance you can prepare for challenges ahead. RnR is something we build on in later sessions. 
4. Belief Systems / Negative Cognitions (BS). We all have an inner narrative of beliefs which helped us to understand and survive the world of our childhood. Many of these are outdated, inner crate and unhelpful.  Eg. I am weak and pathetic, I need to always be strong and capable. Beliefs like this are useful sometimes, but become inflated and unbalanced leading to...
5. Protective Internal Symptoms and Strategies  (PISS).  The BS leads to behaviours, habits and feelings that are even more unhelpful and can create negative feedback loops and keep you stuck. Eg. Overworking, burning out, self criticism, shame, isolation... You can see how the unbalanced cognitions lead to unbalanced behaviour, which often triggers more painful emotions and deeper set strategies. We keep banging our head against the metaphoric wall!  Symptoms is usually what a client first notices and what brings them to therapy. It might be deep feelings  or behaviours. This is the starting point. 
6. Goals (G). We all need an aim. It's important to make some goals in therapy and this is reviewed at sessions 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24. However some clients may need more time and some may need less. We use the SUDS scale to determine success. 
7. Protocol Of Stabilisation (POS): Once we have that in place we begin the ‘protocol of stabilisation’, which can take between 4-6 sessions, where we use bilateral signals (tapping side to side, or similar with eye moments) as we utilise ‘installed resources’ to desensitize and reprogram your nervous system so that your window of tolerance gradually increases, and more calm, clarity and consciousness choice is possible.

Most of the work is in the preparation and planning 
Like going on a serious journey, it's so important to be well prepared. For example my one of my DIY jobs at home was painting a room and I'll tell you that 80% of the work was prep. Painting was the easy bit, made easier by good prep . If we take that analogy into therapy it means the first several session are the most important - gaining the history of the client and understanding and mapping out the Target TEMPs, PMTs, BS and PISS and build up RnR and aim at the G with a rough plan of action 

It's not just about the tools!
This formulation approach isn't for everyone but I really like it . The POS part is especially interesting as it uses b-lateral stimulation to help calm the nervous system as trigger memories are discussed. This is mind blowing how it can work, but again it's not just about the technique, but about the prep and the therapeutic relationship - these are key. If you resonate with the therapist I think this is most important. Tools are useless if not used well. 

If you'd like some help with working through your issues contact me here. 

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