Video 051 Container and Safe State Protocols

Use this solution 

In this protocol, the client is encouraged to find a safe/calm place within their body (i.e. a Safe State) rather than externally as in the standard Safe Place protocol.  It is helpful to pair it with a ‘Container’, which is a place to set aside material until it can be re-processed with EMDR.  Use:

• As part of the Preparation Phase for clients who have never felt safe and for whom the standard Safe Place protocol doesn’t work;

• With clients who come overwhelmed with distress. The Container provides a useful way of managing their discomfort after they leave.  Otherwise use it after History taking to help them manage what has emerged during the session. The Safe State protocol can be used after the Container work and before the Reprocessing stage.

•  At the end of an incomplete processing session to reconnect the person to PNS (parasympathetic nervous system) activity.  Reduces risk of re-traumatization

Originator

The Container was developed by Richard Kluft (1988) to easily set aside material until it could be reprocessed. Safe State evolved from Brian Lynn’s (2000) identification of a ‘pre-Trauma State’ and developed by Katie O’Shea who once realised that there actually is ‘no safe place’ for some people as trauma can occur anywhere.

Video production

Matthew Davies Media Ltd, Llanidloes, Powys.
www.matthewmedia.com

What this covers

This is about a woman called Celia, who is in her fifties.  She has a history of childhood and teenage bullying and her first husband was arrested for domestic violence.  She has never felt truly safe in her life. She remarried and now has two adult children who have left home.  

Recently, Celia was sexually assaulted by two men while walking in a park near her home.  The effect on her was to make her feel emotionally overwhelmed and very unsafe – she was unable to leave the house on her own and could no longer go to work.  She felt trapped. Her response to all this was to seek safety - she became obsessed with making sure the house was absolutely secure, installing outdoor lights, security cameras, and burglar alarms.  

Even with all these safety measures she still felt unsafe.  She came to therapy to address her fears after hearing about EMDR on the radio

How long

11.12 minutes

Related Videos

See Video 050

Go to ‘Take-away’?

For Aide mémoire to use in client session.

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Take-Away Section

+ Wrap up

+ Aide-mémoire

You can copy and paste this text into a Word document, and can edit it, adding any additional text you might find helpful.

1. For the Container:

   1. Explain how the right hand part of the brain holds all the disturbing material disclosed in the history taking and which has not yet been processed. The Container is a way to help the right brain to hold onto the material without it overwhelming the client and until you both are ready to work on it. We do this by creating an imaginary ‘Container ’to hold all the information until you meet again;
   2. Ask, ‘What comes to mind when I use the word ‘Container?’
   3. Ask them to describe in detail: size, shape, materials, how it’s locked, colours of the various parts, where the key is kept (if this is the way it’s locked);
   4. Ask where the Container is kept (some clients will put the container is some hidden place - on the sea bed, for instance);
   5. Ask them to open the Container and put in all the disturbing material talked about earlier from the past, present and future – information, memories and concerns – close it and then lock it;
   6. Ask if there are any problems;
   7. If there are problems, ask what is stopping it going in; discuss how this may be overcome, and move everything into the Container.

2. Safe State:

   1. Make sure everything is in the Container;
   2. Ask if you can tap gently on the back of the client’s hands. Make sure the client is happy for you to do this, otherwise use buzzers at an appropriately gentle intensity;
   3. Explain you will do this for about 30 seconds;
   4. Ask the client to notice how their body feels as you tap;
   5. Ask, how do you feel?
   6. Once the client answers, tap more;
   7. Ask, what do you notice now? Repeat until a calm or peaceful state is in place;
   8. Say, “Notice what word or words come to mind as you focus on how you are feeling now”
   9. Say, “Hold onto those words as I tap some more”.
   10. Ask, “Do the words stay the same or change?”
   11. If the same, end by asking the client to practice the exercise at home.
   12. If changed, repeat from point 2.9 until no change is reported and end as above.
   13. Suggest client uses the Container and Safe State first thing in the morning, during the day and last thing at night;
   14. Explain that if something disturbing comes up that will not go into the container, it’s simply a signal that something needs processing with EMDR. Together, you can decide when to do that when you next meet.

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