Today's therapeutic session concentrated on Frances, specifically addressing a significant triggering incident related to her former partner. The session utilized Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a means to process these memories and to foster a sense of safety and comfort through appropriate imagery and techniques.
Prior to delving into the EMDR technique, we confirmed a safe space for Frances, encapsulated by the comforting imagery of warmth—such as the feeling of being around a fire. This provided a foundation of emotional security that is vital in trauma work.
The target memory involved Frances’s former partner physically restraining her by placing his hands around her neck against a wall. This distressing memory triggered several negative cognitions, primarily encapsulated in thoughts such as "I am going to die" and "I should have moved and hit him to get him off me." Despite recognizing these thoughts, Frances noted a positive self-statement that accompanied the negative feelings: "It wasn't my fault; I couldn't move." At the time, she rated her distress as a 7 out of 7, indicating a high level of anxiety with physical sensations including tightness in her chest and a racing heart.
To facilitate the emotional processing of this memory, we employed a platform for visual representation followed by auditory engagement to enhance her experience of recollection.
Frances expressed a preference for auditory processing, and several metaphors were introduced to help her create distance from the traumatic event. One particularly effective metaphor involved envisioning herself sitting on a train, which enabled her to gain a clearer perspective on her feelings and reactions. During our session, she was able to recall specific details from the memory:
During a crucial EMDR moment, it became evident that Frances was struggling to progress through the imagery, prompting a shift from visual to auditory modalities for better emotional processing. This transition aided her in exploring her feelings more thoroughly.
Additionally, Frances expressed a longing for reassurance and support during these moments, which led us to incorporate a resource—her mother—into the session. With this supportive imagery, she was able to find relief and liberate herself from the emotional bind associated with the memory.
Frances identified a recent triggering situation that occurred during a lunch outing. She encountered a server who was wearing the same aftershave as her ex, which elicited feelings of anxiety. Recognizing this trigger allowed us to conceptualize her feelings as a perceived threat, reinforcing the importance of awareness in her healing journey.
To further explore this trigger, we conducted a behavioral experiment where Frances was encouraged to smell the aftershave while consciously noting the differences between her ex and other individuals. This exposure aimed to facilitate her desensitization to the scent, with the objective of minimizing future triggers and enhancing her awareness that other individuals may also wear the same fragrance.
Frances agreed to implement this strategy and was receptive to testing its effectiveness before our next session scheduled for January 9th, 2024, at 4 PM. The continued exploration of these themes will be pivotal in her recovery journey.