Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To be perplexed by this therapist?

13 replies

BlastedPimples · 22/12/2023 08:17

I am having troubles.

I found a therapist on BACP directory.

I had my first session yesterday online. I explained what was going on for me.

She took out a plastic brain model, talked about parts of the brain. She then said she was going to try eye therapy which focuses on a specific part of the brain.

She then took out this pointer and asked me to focus on the end of the pointer, she moved it around a bit, and to tell her how I was feeling. She held it still for about 30 minutes and asked me to tell her how I was feeling.

Then at end of session she did a small relaxation exercise.

I am perplexed. Aibu to feel sceptical? Perhaps I should find another therapist but I have paid for three sessions upfront.

OP posts:

TreesWelliesKnees · 22/12/2023 08:20

It sounds like it could be EMDR. Did she advertise herself as an EMDR therapist?

GoodOldEmmaNess · 22/12/2023 08:21

It's a legit therapy,even the NHS offers it (https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/nctalkingtherapies/what-do-nc-talking-therapies-offer/eye-movement-desensitisation-and-reprocessing-emdr/)
But perhaps your therapist hasn't been good at explaining and giving you confidence in it?

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychological therapy designed for working with distressing traumatic memories. The theory behind EMDR is that distress and psychological difficulties caused by traumatic experiences have not be...

https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/nctalkingtherapies/what-do-nc-talking-therapies-offer/eye-movement-desensitisation-and-reprocessing-emdr

Original poster

BlastedPimples · 22/12/2023 08:23

I asked her if it was EDMR but she said no and called it something else.

I don't know what I was or am expecting. I told her everything going on and she used this method. I felt the issues were ignored really but perhaps she felt it best this way.

OP posts:

Mabelface · 22/12/2023 08:24

Sounds like an attempt at EMDR, which was really effective for me, but it was all explained to me, done in person and I'd already done a lot of talking before it started. Mine was face to face and I felt safe and comfortable with my therapist.

TreesWelliesKnees · 22/12/2023 08:31

If its not right for you you don't have to go back. Research different types of therapy and if possible try to work out which would suit you best. Go from there.

NosnowontheScottishhills · 22/12/2023 08:40

I’m having therapy the first session was to establish whether or not I and the therapist gelled. I thought this was pretty standard stuff so I’m surprised you were asked to pay for 3 sessions up front unless there are other therapists available if you don’t get on with this one.
IME you have to feel comfortable and like the person who's doing the therapy if you’re going to benefit from it.
Be honest if you didn’t feel it was beneficial and politely but firmly ask for your money back.

Whenthebirdssing · 22/12/2023 08:42

That doesn’t sound like EMDR to me (I’m trained in it). I would ask her what the model is and why she chose that model. I’m trained in lots of different therapeutic models and don’t recognise this but neuroscience and it’s application in therapy is developing rapidly so it could well be a new approach I don’t know about.

Have a think about what you are hoping for.
If you want a space where you can just hear your own thoughts out loud and make sense of them then a Person Centred approach might be right for you.
If you want strategies to manage difficult thoughts and feelings the CBT might be good.
If you have some trauma experiences then EMDR or Trauma focused CBT could be right
There are lots of other approaches and often, if well done, a mix can be good.

A good therapist should really start by getting to know you and what your hopes are. Sounds like this one didn’t really get good informed consent? I’d let them know you would like to know a bit more about the approach before continuing as you weren’t expecting it to be like it is. A good therapist won’t mind that and will be glad to discuss it.

Gnomegnomegnome · 22/12/2023 08:45

Maybe Accelerated Resolution Therapy?

Pretty poor of the therapist to not explain.

Whenthebirdssing · 22/12/2023 08:45

Missed your other post. Sorry. I would ask her for the name of the approach she is using again so you can research it a bit more and figure out if it’s right for you.

Whenthebirdssing · 22/12/2023 08:46

Gnomegnomegnome · 22/12/2023 08:45

Maybe Accelerated Resolution Therapy?

Pretty poor of the therapist to not explain.

I’ve never heard of that. Off to google!

Whenthebirdssing · 22/12/2023 08:56

From a quick google search Accelerated Resolution Therapy sounds possible. It’s derived from EMDR. Check it out OP and see if you think it’s that and if it fits for you. Might be worth sticking with it despite feeling like it wasn’t explained properly?

Blahblahblah2 · 22/12/2023 09:11

What kind of therapy are you looking for? It does sound rather weird, but there are all kinds of modalities out there.

Original poster

BlastedPimples · 22/12/2023 09:22

Maybe she felt I was in a bad place and this would help me immediately?

OP posts:

Flip