Chapter 2: Paris in the Autumn,
it must be time for Level 2
Dr Scott Borrelli
2002
In my first offering to Eye2Eye (now The EMDR Practitioner), I wrote from the
perspective of an enthusiastic Level I EMDR novice, expecting to have nothing
but a variety of success stories by this time. However, a mix of therapeutic results
have not diminished my enthusiasm, but merely brought me back to earth. My initial
experiences have made me even more aware of the diversity of survival strategies
that Mother Nature offers her injured souls, and the uniqueness of every client's
dynamics. Although both limited and limiting, the particular coping composite
of the traumatised client is a functional work of art, and the client's emotional
life depends on it. Alternatively, the victim of a constricted life is hungry
for liberation, and would seem inclined to appreciate any well-intentioned and
professional attempts to alleviate the pain. In a sense, trauma victims are inviolable,
already having seen the worst. In fact, they represent a poignant combination
of vulnerability and possibility, in other words the stuff of good therapy. I,
the therapist, am simply expected to do my best.
Heeding the message behind the popular caveat about the dangers of 'a little knowledge',
I recently completed the Level 2 training in Paris. As tradition warns: the more
one learns the less one knows, but perhaps this is a healthy and promising state
to be in. Either way it is no reflection on a competently presented training experience
in Paris, but a comment on my own self consciousness and eagerness to move forward.
At least I can now report that there are at least three related lessons that I've
learned in the past few weeks using my new skills.
In the first instance, EMDR is not as easy as it looks. It's base and foundation
is complex and sophisticated, and there is enough that we don't know about the
mechanisms of action to keep us on our toes. The second lesson is therapist preparation.
In order to make it work, EMDR must be integrated into a broad therapeutic expertise
comprised of prior professional training and experience. It may not always be
effective in isolation, but becomes a powerful tool within a larger therapeutic
Gestalt. This represents the individual therapist's challenge to find a home for
EMDR within an already well-established professional orientation. The third lesson
is the importance of client preparation, in conjunction with fundamental skills
of empathy, rapport, and observation which together provide an interpersonal base
of credibility and good faith.
Of these three lessons, issues of client preparation are perhaps the most immediately
practical, and where I'll focus the next chapter. Client preparation, by the way,
includes therapist preparation. The therapist needs to be ready, willing, and
able to offer their best. As for client preparation, the process begins with providing
the right amount of information about EMDR within a context of co-operation. The
space and positioning, the lighting, the selected eye movement approach, and the
amount of time required per session need to be carefully negotiated, and all in
the spirit of mutuality. The effective therapist, irrespective of orientation,
can easily apply well-honed attention to these details. When properly prepared
for the journey, a positive outcome is almost always assured, so take time for
it.
Another lesson occurs to me: how to recognise a positive outcome when they come
in such a bewildering array of different and subtle forms. For example, upon arrival
of my client for a second EMDR session, I immediately noticed she had dressed
in bright colours, contrasting the usual greys and blacks. She didn't even notice
the change herself until I pointed it out. Thus a discussion ensued as to how
such a change might hallmark an improved mood. Although I say it myself, it takes
a skilled therapist to notice subtle changes like this and an even better one
to facilitate the client's recognition and ownership of such gains. At these tricky
times I am reminded of the extraordinary persistence of trauma.
Well now that I've got this chapter off my mind (it's funny how Level 2 changes
you), I feel an authoritative chapter coming on - is this the heralding of the
end of a novice? Let's see what Chapter 3 produces.....
More specific muses from the Borrelli column soon, until then,
Good Practice!
Dr. Scott E. Borrelli
©2002 The EMDR Practitioner - All
Rights Reserved Worldwide