EMDR RESOURCING

Imagine you have an expedition planned where you will be travelling across mountains, deserts, snow covered landscapes and the varying depths of the ocean. Before setting off, you'd want to make sure that you had a way of accessing everything that you need so you could feel prepared.

Well, we adopt the same approach with EMDR. We need to gather supplies, resources, coping strategies, call on our support network before venturing onwards.

For some people, this phase is making pre-existing resources more robust. For others, these resources will be new tools and skills to develop that they can keep with them for life.

What is Resourcing?

EMDR resourcing refers to a phase of the treatment where EMDR therapist helps you build inner resources or strengths. The goal is to helps provide you with a stable foundation so you can better navigate any distressing memories, sensations and emotions relating to the focus of the therapy.

During resourcing, the EMDR therapist may teach you various techniques to help you feel safe, calm, and in control- these techniques are yours life life and can be used as little gifts to yourself whenever you need relief or a boost of energy. The techniques that therapists offer differ according to their approach and training, but they may include guided imagery with bilateral stimulation, breathwork (including the biomechanics of breathing), somatic movement and grounding techniques using the senses.

The main EMDR resources are called the Calm Safe Place exercise, the Container exercise, and sometimes we incorporate nurturing and protective figures into the processing when needed.

CONTAINER

Visual Imagery with Slow Bilateral Stimulation

We use this technique at the end of sessions where we need to pause processing processing a memory/ event, ready to resume again in the next session. We also suggest using this tool between processing sessions where needed.

CALM SPACE

Visual Imagery with Slow Bilateral Stimulation

We use this technique at the end and between processing sessions to support you in feeling calm, grounded and secure. Reminding your nervous system that it does not need to be on high alert or in a state of fight or flight.

FIGURES

Visual Imagery with Slow Bilateral Stimulation

This technique is sometimes used ahead of processing, but it can also be introduced partway through processing when needed. The figures that are created serve to meet you at the time you need them most. They're often the voices of protection, wisdom and nurturing.