Treating DID with EMDR: A new way of stabilisation using a picture-based EMDR technique

A good stabilisation is essential for patients with DID and other highly dissociative disorders as a preparation for the treatment of traumatic memories with EMDR. However, the most common problem is that most of these patients do not have enough resources for a good stabilisation work or that they are unable to hold the resource during BLS. In practice it has proven to be helpful to use pictures of animals or landscape to activate and maintain a positive state of mind and to achieve a good stabilisation. A special technique, which has been developed for this purpose, uses peaceful digital pictures on a tablet computer or a smartphone in combination with bilateral stimulation. This allows patients to develop helpful resources and positive body sensations. The audience of this lecture will know, in which cases the use of this technique is appropriate. They will learn when and how to use it, which pictures are appropriate and how patients can use the pictures on their smartphone. Finally, they can also integrate the newly developed resource in the actual trauma work after the stabilisation phase.

Conference

English

Lucien Burkhardt

Burkhardt, L. (2018, June). Treating DID with EMDR: A new way of stabilisation using a picture-based EMDR technique. In EMDR psychotherapy in complex cases and dissociation. Presentation at the at the 19th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Strasbourg, France