Future Template, Floatback, and Ego State Work in EMDR Therapy: From the EMDR Supplement
Feb 5, 2024
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Explore topics like future templating, different approaches in EMDR therapy, ego state work, role of bodily sensations, symbolic processing, and addressing attachment wounds in this podcast about EMDR therapy.
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Quick takeaways
Future templating creates an internalized template of a future event, empowering clients with adaptive responses.
The floatback technique traces back sensations, emotions, and negative beliefs to explore root causes of distress.
Restricted processing in EMDR therapy limits processing flow to ensure client stability and regulate activation levels.
Deep dives
The Importance of Future Templating
Future templating is a crucial aspect of EMDR therapy that prepares clients to face challenges in the future. By creating an internalized template of a future event, clients can develop a neurobiological possibility in their nervous system. This allows them to reference that template when they encounter similar situations in real life, empowering them with adaptive responses. Future templating can be used as part of a full treatment plan or as a stand-alone skill, depending on the client's needs. It is a powerful tool for resourcing and can be applied after processing past trauma, clearing trauma networks, or targeting future experiences directly.
The Power of Floatback Technique
The floatback technique is a powerful tool in EMDR therapy for tracking a memory network and identifying influential past experiences. By tracing back the sensations, emotions, and negative beliefs associated with a present experience, the floatback technique allows clients to explore the root causes of their distress. This technique can be utilized conversationally or through a meditative approach, depending on the client's needs and stability. The information gathered from floatback can shed light on experiences even beyond explicit memories, such as pre-verbal trauma or dissociated material. It requires caution and safety measures to ensure the client's well-being throughout the process.
Working with Restricted Processing in EMDR Therapy
Restricted processing is a concept in EMDR therapy that involves intentionally limiting the flow of processing to support clients' stability and regulate their activation levels. By restricting processing, therapists ensure that the client does not become overwhelmed or dysregulated during sessions. This approach can be particularly helpful when there are concerns about safety, limited time for emotional regulation, or complex presentations. Therapists have different options for implementing restricted processing, and it can be adjusted according to what best suits the client's needs. The goal is to strike a balance between allowing material to emerge and preventing excessive flooding or triggering of traumatic memories.
Harnessing the Power of Ego State Work
Ego state work is a valuable component of EMDR therapy, focusing on the different parts or states of the self that develop throughout our lives. These parts reflect various strategies formed to navigate challenges in the environment. By interacting with and exploring these ego states, therapists can help clients gain insight into their own systems and work towards healing and integration. Ego state work can be done through techniques such as Frazier's family table, where different parts of the self are gathered for dialogue and understanding. It can also involve utilizing symbolic processing and imagery to access and process pre-verbal or dissociated material. Ego state work is especially beneficial for complex presentations and helps bridge the gap between implicit experiences and explicit memory.
Addressing Attachment Wounds in EMDR Therapy
Attachment wounds play a significant role in shaping an individual's experiences and functioning. Working with attachment deficits and ruptures is crucial throughout the different phases of EMDR therapy. During preparation and resourcing, therapists focus on building attachment resources, emphasizing the importance of safe, nurturing figures, and internalized representations of healthy attachment experiences. Attachment-oriented interweaves are incorporated during reprocessing, allowing the therapeutic relationship and the client's experiences of secure attachment to be utilized as powerful resources. Ongoing support is provided to clients in building new relationships outside of therapy, guiding them in setting boundaries and making healthier choices. Monitoring and strengthening positive attachment templates is a continuous process to support clients' healing and growth.
Listen in to hear a special release from the Notice That Podcast. This episode concludes the winter special series on the EMDR Supplement, a 12 hour EMDRIA Advanced course designed to encourage and empower clinicians in their practice and embodiment of EMDR therapy.
