We will start by listing the most profound experiences in your life that you feel have negatively shaped your belief system, and then we will begin to reprocess according to the 8-step protocol.
When we begin to target a memory, I will ask you “On a scale from 0 – 10, how disturbing is that memory?” Let’s say the memory is a 10. We will then reprocess the memory until you report that the emotional/physical disturbance is at a zero when you bring the memory to mind. Many clients call the process the “magic eraser” because they are astounded that these once extremely disturbing memories no longer cause such emotional distress.
It is impossible to list all of the benefits of reconstructing your belief system.
Believing truth and positive cognitions as opposed to lies and negative cognitions can produce changes that clients never thought possible. It is important to note that the process of EMDR can be very destabilizing while going through it, and is not without difficulty.
A strong support system is necessary as a client is going through the process. However, if a client is willing to make therapy a #1 priority and is really ready to confront the events in their life that shaped them in a negative way, EMDR can be one of the most rapid healing processes available.
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