Video 077 Three Resource Interweaves
Use this solution
To learn how to stabilise clients prior to using EMDR or during actual processing to overcome blockages or stuck situations.
Originator:
Laurel Parnell. See Tapping in. A step by step guide to activating your healing resources through bilateral stimulation. Sounds True. Boulder, CO. 80306. 2008.
Video production
Matthew Davies Media Ltd, Llanidloes, Powys. www.matthewmedia.com
Take-Away Section
What this covers
This video demonstrates the development and installation of three types of resources that can be very useful for some clients who might benefit from access to sources of nurturing, protection or wisdom during treatment with EMDR. They can be installed prior to or during processing.
How long
14.37 minutes
Related videos
Go to ‘Take-away’?
For the Aide mémoire to use in a client session. Further information can also be found in Wrap up.
+ Wrap up
+ Aide-mémoire
Decide with the client which type of resource or resources are most needed. If in doubt plan to install all three types.
With the client, choose which type of bilateral simulation to use. Butterfly hugs or self-tapping on their knees. Alternatively, ask the client to put both hands in front of them on a flat surface about 12-15 inches apart; then bring the right hand from its position to tap the left hand and then take it back to its original position, gently tapping the table as it lands; repeat this back and forth movement many times as needed, as you would for other forms of bilateral simulation.
Choose the resource(s) to install; ask the client to go inside for a few moments and quieten their mind. Then say something along these lines, choosing whether you will ask them for say three figures or two or just one:
If it’s nurturing figures: “I want you to think of three nurturing figures that represent qualities of care, kindness, love, tenderness and compassion. They can be real or imaginary, human or animal, alive now or historical. They can be someone you know from your own experience or someone you’ve read about, or seen in a film or know from some religious knowledge or experience.”
If it’s protective figures; I want you to think of protector figures who you feel would save you from harm if you needed them. They can be real people or animals or imaginary figures from books, films, TV or even dreams. They can be from any period in your life. They need to be strong, powerful and protective. Think of three figures.
- When you feel relaxed, bring yourself to the present…….now bring to mind a wise being. It can be someone you know, someone you’ve met, or read about. It can be from history, or alive today. It can be a person, an animal or a mythological being. It can be a spiritual figure like Jesus or Buddha; or ‘X’ whom you mentioned to me last time we met……Are you with me?
- Then ask: “What’s come up?” When the client answers you, unless it’s obvious why the person has made their three choices, it may be worth checking them out by asking “Why these choices?” Listen for evidence to confirm why these choices make sense. If they don’t ask them to repeat the exercise.
Once you have an agreement on three resource figures - for nurturing as an example, say: “Now we’re ready to activate the resources by bringing them one by one into your consciousness and then strengthening them with bilateral stimulation.”
- Ask the client to bring up their first choice of three. Then say: “Bring up the image of ‘X’…….. now enhance the image as strongly as you can…..notice what you see…..what you hear…..what you smell……what you feel…….especially the nurturing qualities of ‘X’
- Say: “ When you have a strong sense of these qualities of ‘X’, begin BLS – left-right, left-right…….keep on going (go for up to 12 times).”
- Ask: “How does that feel?” If positive, Say: “Keep on BLS as long as the figure and the desired feeling is strengthening.” Then go to point 7 below.
- If negative, explore what has happened. Ask if the other two chosen figures might be better, and repeat the installation process with them. Possibly look or another figure to complete the threesome if you think the need for nurturing with this client is crucial.
- Repeat the process for each of the nurturing figures.
- Ask the client to imagine all three figures around them, and to do BLS, strengthening the image and the feeling of nurturing until it ceases to change.
- Repeat this process for the other two categories of resources.
For use as interweaves to overcome blockages or stuck situations, have the client introduce the appropriate figure(s) into the EMDR processing at the relevant point, i.e. where the client is expressing a need to feel nurtured, protected or have access to wisdom. What part is most appropriate in overcoming a blockage or a stuck situation will vary depending on the situation and client. What happens next will depend on the client and therapist:
- The very presence of the figures along with bilateral stimulation by the therapist may solve the issue
- Sometimes the client will need encouragement: Ask the client what they are noticing, for example, while the therapist continues BLS
- Suggest the client communicates with the resource figure whilst the therapist does BLS.