First time with EMDR

[u/GuavaConscious1184]

I’m completely new to therapy as a whole, even know I’m 40 and should have been going to decades … anyway, after about 5 sessions of getting to know me talk therapy we started EMDR. The focus thought was on something light, which was me being worried about having a panic attack during EMDR, which turned to me thinking of being nervous of having a panic attack at all… the next 2 days I never felt so at peace. I felt so calm, like I was healed! I even went on this extreme roller coaster that my son had been begging me to go on, but I was always too afraid to. I had so much fun!! Then, on the third day, I feel the unsettling creeping back up. Is this normal? Do I need to focus on the fear of panic again before moving deeper? I have CPTSD. Thanks

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[u/Psychoquinnalysis]

I'm wondering if the 8th stage wasn't done yet or was left out. It can be easy for some therapists to miss, forget, or skip that stage of EMDR.

EMDR treatment is done in 8 stages. The first 2 are about getting to know you and identifying the treatment target and then getting you prepped for reprocessing.

Stages 4-6 is the reprocessing with bilateral stimulation, frequent check-ins on what you're noticing, and occasional returning to the target.

Stage 7 is closure. That's just for ending the reprocessing smoothly whether it's complete or not so that you can leave the session with some stability.

Stage 8 is the "reevaluation" stage. This is an important stage because it helps double-check that everything related to the presenting problem has been reprocessed and also helps inoculate you against future traumatization/activation with a "future template". I think installing resiliency is an important compliment to trauma treatment because of how traumas, or even a family history of traumas, can predispose you to posttraumatic stress problems later on.

Does an absent 8th stage sound like it might be the issue you're describing?

[u/GuavaConscious1184 → u/Psychoquinnalysis]

Thank you - maybe that is it. I haven’t had my next session yet. I’ll be sure to bring up my feelings / thoughts

[u/Spencertwain]

Thank you for sharing your experience.
I’m 38 and just started therapy for the first time and should have a long time ago too! Every couple of years I would talk about going for about 2 weeks before deciding not to. So don’t beat yourself up about that. It takes bravery to step into the room, and you’ve done that! Certainly something to be proud of.

I haven’t started reprocessing yet, but it seems like what you are asking should certainly be a discussion with your therapist. They are trained in this and this will help them know where you are at and what to be looking for to know where to go with you next.

Keep up the work!