How to do EMDR when the report of a traumatic event is inaccurate, exaggerated, or possibly untrue

A traumatic event can be stored in the brain in a way that is different to how it was actually experienced. Dr Michael Paterson OBE, EMDR Europe Accredited Senior Trainer, explains how to deal with this and decide whether it is a possible target for reprocessing with EMDR Therapy.

[@heartspacerelaxations6924]

This could apply to psychosis which a patient experienced as real, even after it’s over they question their reality. An example could be a traumatic psychedelic drug induced experience.

[@projectbirdfeederman5491]

They also seem to deem organised stalking and mk ultra as a delusion, sadly.

[@FaithfulandTrue949]

Phoenix and Aria speak out channel and Teal Swan's testimony are courageous for speaking out. Raped, abused, victim blamed, smear campaigned, gang stalked, gaslighted and attempted murder were among the abuse they survived. Believe survivors.
That child's friend was the devil for performing such an evil act. The devil entered the man Judas remember... if only he did wear red horns so we could identify him.

[@psyskeptic9979]

This is utterly unethical. You should not be letting clients come to believe horrific false memories and then process through them. You should insist that EMDR is only used on known true traumas.

[@MichaelPatersonOBE]

It is NOT about having client's believe the 'memory' is true. It is about targeting for reprocessing the WAY the memory is stored. For example, Dr Francine Shapiro, the originator of EMDR Therapy, wrote about a client who recalled a memory of being raped by Satan. This was clearly disturbing to the client, so the way the memory was stored was targeted for reprocessing. During reprocessing, the client heard the Devil's voice - she recognised it as the voice of her father's friend, and then realised that he was wearing a mask. There is nothing unethical about healing trauma that way. Those who understand EMDR Therapy, and work with it, share that view.

[@animula6908]

They already believe the false memory, though. Therapists can’t exactly be ethical by refusing to treat crazy people. Nor can anyone force acceptance of reality upon a psychotic person.

[@psyskeptic9979]

@@animula6908 they are not crazy. It comes about from imagining how it might of happened during EMDR. It is caused or enhanced by the process of EMDR