Healing hidden pain: Resolving the effects of childhood abuse and neglect

When EMDR is incorporated into a treatment plan, the treatment outcome is primarily determined by the clients' willingness and ability to trust their therapists and face the painful feelings that are limiting their functioning. Each treatment plan has to be carefully designed in order to assist individuals to overcome behavior adaptations based on trauma and assist them to function more adequately in the present. I have found it most effective to educate clients about their trauma history and the adaptations they have to make and enlist them as active participants in the healing process. A collaborative relationship is necessary in order to determine whether clients are willing and able to take the risks necessary to face painful emotions and experiences in order to overcome barriers in their lives. The therapeutic journey discussed in this chapter is inspiring because it illustrates the complexity of such a healing process. "Susan's" story demonstrates that EMDR is a tool that can help clients go back in time and develop those parts of their personalities that could not emerge because of an invalidating environment.

Book Section

English

Silke Vogelmann-Sine

Vogelmann-Sine, S. (1998). Healing hidden pain: Resolving the effects of childhood abuse and neglect. In P. Manfield (Ed.), Extending EMDR: A casebook of innovative applications (1st ed.) (pp. 167-190). New York, NY: W. W. Norton