EMDR and creativity

This presentation addresses how creativity has been interwoven into the discovery and development of EMDR, as well as how EMDR is an effective tool in unblocking and enhancing creativity. Dr. Shapiro's discovery of EMDR and her development of the EMDR Protocol, are examined as underpinnings of EMDR and Creativity. EMDR processing will also be examined as an essentially creative process at the core of healing trauma-based blocks. The therapeutic relationship in EMDR is discussed as a co-creative process. This presentation addresses creative enhancements EMDR's healing tools including: "open listening" - avoiding assumptions while attending to all in-the-moment verbal and non-verbal client communications, creative use of eye movements with flowing hand movements and shifting rates of speed, integrating music and nature sounds into left/right auditory stimulation and enhancing of body sensations with color and imagery. This presentation also addresses using EMDR in addressing issues of creativity. Creative blocks are regularly reported by both artists and non-artists and often cripple and traumatize the artist, and interfere with the creativity of diallng living of non-artists. Using EMDR protocol to target creative blocks is discussed, as well as the contribution of trauma to these blocks. The EMDR future template is discussed as a tool for enhancing creativity with artists free of significant blocks. This includes actors, singers, dancers, writers and graphic artists. Mini-practica and demonstrations are used to operationalize the concepts presented in lecture and handout format.

Conference

English

David Grand

Grand, D. (2006, September). EMDR and creativity. Presentation at the 11th EMDR International Association Conference, Philadelphia, PA