![]() ![]() “ EMDR therapy has helped with clients who self-harm by assisting them in understanding the discrepancy in self-harm helping them versus it hurting them. “Usually I work on the bad body feelings that trigger the client for self-harm, which is usually by float back with that body feeling as a somatic bridge will take the client to an earliest worst memories.” *** Mohamad Haidar, CTC manager, EMDR therapist Deshane Gutierrez Lopez, Registered Clinical Psychologist and EMDR Trained Using EMDR, the cycle is broken and they can feel all their emotions without the need to shut down which reduces their likelihood of self-harm.” *** Mrs. Most clients self-harm when they have shut down their emotions in an effort to survive but after a while, the numbness becomes deafening and unbearable so they cut to feel. “One way that EMDR has helped clients who self-harm is allowing them to feel their emotions without feeling overwhelmed. EMDR has definitely saved her life and improved the quality of life for herself and her family.” *** Laura Braziel, MMFT, LPC, LMFT It wasn’t until we began twice a week EMDR processing along with Ego State work that she has been completely freed from self-harming for almost a year now even in spite of continued dissociation. She often was in a dissociative state when self-harming occurred which made it nearly impossible to control or use any CBT or DBT skills. “I have an adolescent female with complex PTSD who on a daily basis would severely self-harm in response to flashbacks. ” *** Stella Bhagwat, Ph.D., EMDRIA Approved Consultant Using Bi-lateral stimulation with self-harming parts while engaging with them has brought down the urge and eventually completely healed that aspect of distress in clients. I have time and time again integrated Parts work (using this as a form of extended interweave) in my EMDR therapy and have found it powerfully effective in the area of self-harm. Some complex trauma cases can get very challenging if one does not know how to deal with the deeper issues that cause the urge to self-harm. ![]() It is one of the most powerful tools I have in my skill set. “I have used EMDR as a mode of therapy for almost 15 years now. _ We asked EMDRIA members and EMDR therapists this question. ![]() “How has EMDR therapy helped you to work with clients who self-harm?” Ways to help someone who self-harms: stay calm, avoid anger and blame, ask simple non-judgmental questions to get a better understanding of the person’s point of view, take responses seriously, collaborate to find the best way to ease distress and find help, and respect the need for privacy in recovery. The emotional distress that might cause self-harm is often traced back to a traumatic or tragic event, which can be treated with EMDR therapy. For many of those who self-harm, the harming behavior is a way to find relief from emotional pain or numbness. Many self-harm or Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) behaviors, although deliberate, are not considered suicidal behaviors, but have been linked to suicidal thoughts over time. Quite simply, “self-harm means hurting yourself on purpose” as the National Alliance on Mental Illness states. The American Psychological Association article ‘ Who Self Injures‘ points to research indicating that self-harm behaviors take place most often in adolescents and young adults, and individuals who identify with sexual minority status are more at risk of self-harming. ![]() Self-harm can be overcome with treatment, as you can see from many of the EMDR therapist testimonials below. Self-harm is often overlooked because it carries an uncomfortable stigma, however, it is not uncommon. If in crisis, text HOME to 741741 to reach a volunteer Crisis Counselor, or if necessary, dial 1-80 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Note: Information on this page could be sensitive to some readers. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |