EMDR therapy for loss and grief: The phenomenon of after death communications – Spontaneous and induced

Participants of this workshop will explore an extraordinary phenomenon that has been observed during EMDR therapy for grief following the loss of a loved one, a stranger for whose death they feel responsible, or even a pet considered to be a family member. During or shortly after an EMDR session, a patient may see, smell, hear or otherwise sense the presence of the deceased. Patients typically report a restored sense of connection with the deceased. In addition to the reassuring sense of presence, patients often report hearing a message to the effect, “I am OK, and you should continue to live and enjoy your life.” Occasionally, a life-review of the deceased, practical advice, or even a prediction of future events become part of the patient’s experience. Alan Botkin, PhD, an EMDR therapist stumbled on interventions which led a high percent of his grief patients to experience ADCs. He called his main intervention, “Induction of After Death Communication,” (IADC). This workshop will describe Botkin’s interventions and challenge participants toward making sense of ADCs. The workshop will include lecture, case vignettes, video, participant reports of their own experiences, and Q & A.

Conference

English

George Abbott
Ted Olejnik

Abbott, G., & Olejnik, T., (2024, April). EMDR therapy for loss and grief: The phenomenon of after death communications – Spontaneous and induced. Presentation at the 17th Western Mass EMDRIA Regional Network Spring Conference, Amherst MA