Healing Networks: EMDR and Ego State Therapy

Ego State Therapy (EST) and EMDR can be used in combination with great effect. They are an excellent match and, together, develop an even greater potential. Both approaches allow for very direct and quick stimulation of in-depth processes but also include many possibilities for activating resources and ego- strengthening.

EMDR can facilitate integrative processes of EST making them smoother and quicker. In EMDR, on the other hand, it is most helpful to be able to identify ego states when they show themselves. They tend to get closer during EMDR processing without special interventions, but it is often advisable to work with them explicitly, either in preparation or during processing. By doing so we help clients to overcome blockages or look after and comfort certain ego states during EMDR interventions.

Activating resources and ego-strengthening is important as well in EST as in EMDR to foster integration of traumatic material which is represented in different ego states and is most often dissociated.

The combination of the two methods can also be used if there is no obvious traumatisation, but e.g. depression or fear are more dominant, or if new challenges need to be met.

We will give video examples and exercises, integrating resources and providing conceptual background materials