Jen Savage, Melissa Sundwall, and Bridger Falkenstien
Couples Therapy & EMDR (73)
MAR 22, 202252 MIN
Couples Therapy & EMDR (73)
MAR 22, 202252 MIN
Description
Listen to this week’s episode of Notice That to hear the hosts discuss how to use EMDR within couples therapy.
EMDR & Couples Therapy
Remember, safety remains the most important
It can take longer for us to establish this with multiple people
Especially considering that couples may lack trust with each other
It’s important to take the specific situation into account.
In other words, is the couple there for marriage counseling or has a client brought in their spouse?
Clients sometimes don’t think about the physical vulnerability that they will feel
So it can be helpful to discuss this ahead of time
It can be beneficial to have the partner be part of the processing
Additionally, the partner may benefit from seeing their partner in a place of vulnerability and sincerity
Rather than seeing them through hurt and fear from their conflicts
Sometimes it can be messy and painful, but it is real
It can be very helpful for both partners to share their experiences and receive insight
Traditionally, the goal of couple’s therapy is to keep the couple together
But that shouldn’t be the goal unless the couple explicitly says that
Therefore, it is not necessarily a failure of treatment if the couple does not remain together
“There is a very real possibility of discovering that the marriage is a strategy that has been birthed out of trauma, and healing will actually mean that they are ready to release that relationship” (21:10)
The 8 phase protocol & Couples Therapy
“Without the resourcing, we’re never going to get to the processing, and if we try it’s going to be messy” (24:29).
The process is individualized and always changing
Therefore, it doesn’t look one certain way.
Remain open to the possibility that it may be necessary to see them individually
With the understanding that it’s possible to bring them back together once safety is established.
Finding a special memory that partners can share can provide connection.
After history taking, try to create a sense of partnership and motivation
Then, you can start to address the trauma
It’s important to ask what happened between the couple
However, it’s also important to ask what happened to the couple
Examples of EMDR & Couples Therapy
Bridger discusses a client story (14:14)
Jen discusses a client story (16:24)
Bridger’s client example (30:25)
Bridger talks about a client (37:01)
Jen’s story from a couple’s retreat ( 43:45)
Takeaways
It can be a very powerful experience
The goal is to heal, regardless of the specific outcome for the couple
Let go of assumptions and be open to all possibilities
Did you know? After full completion of Beyond Healing Institute’s Somatic Integration and Processing training, each participant can receive 21 NBCC hours.
Beyond Healing Center
Visit our website for all things BHC
Contact us about retreats and therapy
Contact us about training and consultation
Beyond Healing Media
First, listen to our past episodes of NT here
Then, check out more Beyond Healing podcasts
Evidence-Based Therapist – where we read so you don’t have to!
Beyond Trauma – geared towards clients
Burnt Out Educator – An interview-style podcast for educators and students
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https://www.patreon.com/BurntOutEducator
100% of the proceeds donated to the Burntout Educator will provide therapy for a child in the public school system.
Not therapy capped at a certain number, but an open-ended relationship with a highly qualified therapist in the BHC network.
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Credits
Executive Directors: Jennifer and Ryan Savage, Melissa Bentinnedi, Bridger Falkenstein
Hosts: Jennifer Savage, Melissa Benintendi, and Bridger Falkenstein
Filmographer: Tyler Wassam
Podcast Producer: Jamie Eggert
Original Music Composers: Bridger Falkenstein and Caleb Boston
Show Notes: Jordan Murray-Harper
The post Couples Therapy & EMDR (73) first appeared on Notice That.The post Couples Therapy & EMDR (73) appeared first on Notice That.