Is this EMDR or have I thrown money away?

[JamDoorNut]

I have been struggling with anxiety and claustrophobia for a while now. The NHS IAPT therapy was pretty useless however I have worked hard to manage my anxiety which I have pretty much managed to keep under control - without medication. But my claustrophobia is proving to be difficult to shift- I struggle to get into lifts, trains that are inside tunnels and flights. This is becoming a issue now and I thought of trying hypnotherapy.
i got in touch with a therapist who is certified and is registered and booked 4 sessions. She has sessions that start as a group if 4, then 8 and also an option for 16 I believe.

the fist session was to understand the issues etc, she made a lot of notes. The second session pretty much talking about the various issues that might have lead to my phobia and we practiced breathing exercise.

Third session she did an exercise whereby she asked me to get in touch with my trauma self and talk to it. We did this and when I said there was resistance from my trauma self to ‘let go’ she didn’t really offer any alternatives- the session ended there.

when I got home I tried it again myself over the Christmas break to talk to my trauma self and address certain fears etc. I now feel I’m not need to run away from this ‘fear’ more if that I can explore what is causing me the anxiety- if that makes sense!!

the fourth and last session was yesterday and we went right back to note taking and finding about how I feel- more like talking therapy.

from everything I have read on Google this is not EMDR - she said in passing that if you are happy I can make you practice hypnotherapy in another session.

she then asked what my views are in the future sessions- which in other words another block booking in £518. I didn’t want to commit to ongoing therapy with her- this was meant to be 4 sessions and see how I progress. Given that no EMDR was offered I don’t think I want to book sessions with her again.

my question I suppose is that am I correct in thinking there was very little EMDR therapy involved in here?

Hi OP

From what you have shared it does not sound like the therapist used EMDR with you - did the relaxation exercises include any form of bilateral stimulation (e.g. eye movements, tapping etc)?

The standard protocol for EMDR has 8 phases and the early phases are history taking/preparation which should include some "resourcing" (usually a safe place visualisation, container exercise)... it could be that the therapist was laying foundations with you to then offer EMDR and/or hypnotherapy.

Just to note that if your therapist is not listed on the EMDR Association website that does not mean they are not trained to practice EMDR - they may have completed the foundation training but not receievd accreditation which requires further learning and supervision.

As others have said, there is no quick fix but in my experience EMDR is very effective and takes far fewer sessions than other talking therapies.

Good luck.

@girlfrombackthen no it didn’t include any rapid eye movements. I guess she was prepping me as supposed to using actual EMDR. But I wish she was upfront about this as supposed to getting to this point and then almost ‘forcing’ me to book additional sessions to actually start the process…

I checked the ENDR accredited practitioners and her name is not there however she is listed on the hypnotherapists society website.

I am planning to email her and ask her if she is able to share a treatment plan with me. So I know what to expect and plan accordingly- she is not exactly cheap!

On a separate note I walked over to the train station, brought tucked and sat in the platform - I wanted to get into a train but I couldn’t get myself to do it. My first panic attack occurred on a train and I’ve struggled ever since to see a train for what it is.. just another mode of transport.
it’s become this massive scary thing which will trap me…as per my brain.

I sat watching trains and left- feel defeated and deflated but I’ll keep trying…

What sort of registration did they have? I think many people advertise things despite not being all that specialist in them, even when they are member of bacp etc.
the amount you paid is expensive for a counsellor but probably less than a registered psychologist.
what happened with the nhs IAPT? Was it face to face? They’re meant to assess you before every session so what did they say at the end if you hadn’t improved? I would have thought at that point they should discuss further therapy? Might be worth going back to GP or IAPT as they may be able to refer you elsewhere

This is her list of registrations:

Dip Chyp - Diploma in Cognitive Hypnotherapy
HPD - Hypnotherapy Practitioners Diploma
EMI Plus Trauma Resolution

With IAPT - I had a total of 10 sessions, it was via teams as was during lockdown.

the therapist was not really listening to my challenges but just going through a script. For example : she said I should practice breathing when I feel my anxiety rising and I said I try to but it is challenging when I’m in a space which is particularly challenging- but she kept
insisting just breath slowly. Panic/anxiety attacks doesn’t ‘allow’ you to breath slowly you are intact hyperventilating,

this therapist whom I’m discussing now actually gave me a slightly different way of breathing- it’s the same slow breathing but she just asked me to move my finger along my arm as I do it so that I’m shifting my focus elsewhere. Which actually helps-

Yes, it sounds like EMDR to me (I'm an EMDR therapist). It is normal to do a fair bit for preparatory work become commencing the "actual" EMDR, which relaxation and the exercise to talk to a different version of yourself would be.

The worrying bit is that your therapist should have clearly talked you through the things involved in the therapy, and made a plan together, so you can make a choice about whether you want to continue.

I’ll try self referring to IAPT but this time will push for a focus on my claustrophobia as supposed to a general approach.

Those are courses they’ve done rather than registrations. I’m not sure how valuable those courses are, I think someone in the area would have to comment. I feel for the money you should probably expect someone with a reasonably high level of qualifications, lots of experience, clinical supervision and registration with bacp/ HCPC.
EMDR is recommended by NICE for PTSD so you should be able to get it, may take some persistence and probably a wait though

@Stompythedinosaur thank you! Yes I understand they were prep sessions- however as you point out I would have preferred for her to be more upfront about this. The success of the therapy does have a bearing with the relationship/trust you gave with the therapist. This almost ‘cunning’ way of getting me to commit to further sessions does bother me slightly.

as mentioned above have messaged her for a treatment plan- will see what she responds with.

if I book a further 4 session I would have spent £1000 - which is not cheap in any measure. I am struggling with anxiety/claustrophobia and it is limiting choices however I don’t want someone to take advantage of this…

It sounds like you have reservations about your therapist - it sometimes finds a couple of tries to find a therapist you gel with. You are absolutely right that the quality of the relationship is key.

@BungleandGeorge she is listed in the Hypnotherapy Register - I checked that out.

im doing some research to see if there is another therapist -

also will ring IAPT tomorrow

From your updates it sounds like EMDR might really help you. It may be helpful to know that EMDR can be just as effective online (although the chosen form of bilateral stimulation may be different) so you may be able to cast your net wider to find the right therapist. It sounds like you have lost trust in the person you have seen because they were not clear about what you can expect and this is totally understandable.

When working with phobias you would usually be asked to identify specific memories (first, worst, most recent) so it is good that you already able to identify the first event and you seem ready for therapy! Wishing you all the best.

@girlfrombackthen thank you.

i have been making notes- writing it down so that I can work on different emotions, feelings etc. yes I can explain the first event in details and willing to work on this with dedication, I just need to find a therapist who would help.

I need to prepare myself to fly during Feb half term- gone through too many times if booking and cancelling flights- this time I’m really trying hard to push through.

@JamDoorNut - please consider talking to a Control System practitioner (there's a list on the website). It's the sort of issue we deal with daily and it would be very rare to require more than three sessions. I did a AMA on remedial hypnosis which has lots of information.

Going by the qualifications or courses you have listed, this person is not a qualified therapist, and as such will not have been able to complete EMDR training. Ask if they’re registered with BACP/NCS or a similar membership body. If not, I’d seek out another therapist.

I work for IAPT and it sounds like you may have had guided discovery or cognitive restructuring rather than full CBT. If you re-refer, CBT is definitely offered for agoraphobia.

Going by the qualifications or courses you have listed, this person is not a qualified therapist, and as such will not have been able to complete EMDR training. Ask if they’re registered with BACP/NCS or a similar membership body. If not, I’d seek out another therapist.

This.

Although it is possible to do EMDR training and not be a qualified, registered therapist (there are online EMDR courses that accept almost anybody with cash).

I'd absolutely not recommend EMDR - or any trauma therapy - with someone who doesn't have extensive experience in the area, together with professional registration and supervision.

Good luck with the self referral back to IAPT.
Ask for step 3 CBT. And check that the therapist is accredited with the BABCP. Their job title should be something like High Intensity Therapist/ Worker.
If you think the therapist is not listening please ask to see someone else.
At step 3 you should be receiving individualised therapy, not anything generic.

@EeeByeGummieBear thank you. I completed the IAPT referral online. Nothing about the level of cbt - I made it clear I require support with claustrophobia. If someone gets back to me will make it clear re: cbt requirement then.

Events like the Nepal air crash is triggering for someone like me…I’m trying my best to practice breathing etc and not dwell on it. I didn’t read the details just came across the headlines.

Just need a therapist support to wade through this..

I have received an update for my treatment plan request - she has said that what we did was prep work ( which was never mentioned) and the following sessions will focus on treatment - but unable to say how many sessions.

Again though… she is unlikely to have undertaken robust training for this. Most reputable EMDR training requires the therapist to be accredited with one of the main membership organisations which ensures they are trained to a competent level. Please do not let this woman practice EMDR on you. If done wrong, the potential for harm is immense.