‘Saving Private Ryan’ – with the help of EMDR

A career soldier, who had fought in both Gulf wars and was suffering from PTSD and alcoholism, experienced a severe panic attack whilst watching the opening scenes of the film “Saving Private Ryan”. After 8 sessions of EMDR he asked if he would be able to watch the film now – without a panic attack. We decided to watch it together and used the first five minutes of the film to shape a unique therapy session encompassing grief work, the completion of the trauma work we had been doing with EMDR and the use of EMDR to enable him to begin to address the imminent life stage issue of retirement from the military and how he was to make meaning for himself from his experience. This is a case study which demonstrates the immense potential and flexibility of EMDR if we are able to respond creatively to our clients. This session is an invitation to think about how we can use EMDR creatively, remaining true to its protocols at the same time as being able to integrate it into our previously existing skills and respond flexibly and appropriately to our clients needs and suggestions. It is an example of creative and collaborative working with the client.

Conference

English

L. Hill

Hill, L. (2008, June). 'Saving Private Ryan' with the help of EMDR. Presentation at the 9th EMDR Europe Association Conference, London, England