Jungian EMDR Therapy
I’ve woven together these two approaches and they form the foundation of my practice. Below is a an in-depth explanation of my process, however each client is unique and I aim to be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of each person’s nervous system.
By integrating EMDR with a Jungian orientation I provide a deep, symbolic, and transformative approach to trauma processing. Here’s a break down of the 8-phases of EMDR treatment interwoven with my Jungian lens:
1. History Taking and Treatment Planning (Exploration of the Unconscious)
In this phase we begin our initial exploration of the unconscious, where I gather information not only about your history and your trauma but also about your personal mythology, inner symbolism and significant life patterns. This sets the stage for our therapeutic journey.
2. Preparation
In this phase, we co-create a “sacred space,” This safe, contained environment allows you to engage with the your nervous systems reactions/responses in a new way. Techniques such as grounding, mindfulness, and relaxation are introduced, to facilitate a deeper connection with yourself, which will guide you through the therapeutic process.
3. Assessment
During the assessment phase, we’ll work to identify the specific traumatic memories for us to target, along with the negative beliefs and emotions associated with them. The process involves bringing these aspects into conscious awareness, where they can be worked with and transformed.
4. Desensitization (Alchemy of Transformation)
The desensitization phase is where the core of the alchemical process occurs. Through bilateral stimulation, you’ll begin to process the traumatic memory. This is analogous to the Jungian concept of transformation, where the unconscious material is metabolized and integrated. The intense emotional and psychological energy associated with the trauma is gradually transmuted, reducing its hold on the psyche.
5. Installation (Integration of the Archetype)
In this phase, the focus shifts to installing a positive belief to replace the negative one. From a Jungian standpoint, this is akin to the integration of a positive archetype or symbol that embodies the qualities that you want to internalize. This could involve the you connecting with the inner hero, the wise elder,, or another self-identified archetype that supports youe healing and individuation process.
6. Body Scan (Somatic Awareness and Embodiment)
The body scan phase is a moment of deepening the connection between the psyche and soma. Jungian therapy recognizes the body as a vessel for unconscious material. By scanning the body for residual tension or discomfort, you continue the work of integrating the unconscious material on a somatic level, ensuring that the transformation is holistic and fully embodied.
7. Closure
Closure in EMDR is about ensuring that you feel stable and secure at the end of each session. All stories need to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. I help ensure that you leave the session grounded and connected to the waking world, ready to re-engage with life from a more integrated place.
8. Reevaluation
In this final phase, we review the progress and assess our next steps, healing is spiralic. We often find ourselves back in the same place we feel like we left, but from a different vantage point or perspective; this is the ongoing dialogue with the unconscious. The process of individuation and healing is never complete, and this phase recognizes that new material may emerge, requiring further exploration and integration.
By integrating Jungian concepts with EMDR, I find that the therapeutic process is enriched, addressing both the immediate symptoms of trauma and the deeper, symbolic layers of the psyche. This approach can facilitate not only the resolution of traumatic memories but also a profound transformation of the self.
