Video 020 Complex Grief (Phase 2 - Confrontation)
Use this solution
After the initial (past) trauma has been resolved and when the client is reporting flashbacks and other triggers in the present. Use EMDR to help the client re-experience the absent loved one, relinquish memories of old (now unsuitable) attachments, while identifying memories he/she wants to hold on to.
Originator:
Solomon & Rando (2007)
Solomon & Rando (2012)
Lazrove S. (1996 June)See also
Note also: Ad De Jongh & Suzy Matthijssen: Case Conceptualization & Target Selection in EMDR Therapy; Webinar April 2021
Video production
Matthew Davies Media Ltd, Llanidloes, Powys. www.matthewmedia.com
Take-Away Section
What this covers
The sudden, accidental death of a grandson when out cycling with his grandfather. While Video 019 dealt with the pain and loss associated with a past event, this video deals with the present: triggers and secondary losses associated with the death.
How long
12.21 minutes
Related videos
See Videos 019 (and 021 to be released in December 2021).
Go to ‘Take-away’?
Wrap up: for understanding of our approach to grief work and various ‘theories’ of how to work with grief go to Video 019.
Aide mémoire: step by step description for using the standard EMDR protocol for this phase of grief work.
+ Wrap up
For understanding of our approach to grief work and various ‘theories’ of how to work with grief go to Video 019.
+ Aide-mémoire
This is the second part of the protocol for complex grief and it addresses the present triggers and secondary losses associated with the death of the child.
It’s important to take the time to build an empathetic relationship with the client and to listen to their story. When s/he is ready, ask the client about the current triggers that cause distress and also the secondary losses. Look for: a. Intrusions, e.g. flashbacks, nightmares b. Dysfunctional core beliefs, e.g. ‘It was my fault’ c. Problematic emotions, e.g. Anger, overwhelming sadness d. Dysfunctional anticipatory anxiety (for addressing with Flash forward).
Key questions to ask for each of these categories of distress: a. Which images are the most intrusive? b. Which experiences are proof of this belief? c. Which memories evoke the emotion? d. Regarding the future, what image comes up when you think of the worst-case scenario?
Start EMDR on: a. The most intrusive image b. The memory that represents the strongest evidence c. The image that triggers the emotion most d. The still image that represents the worst-case scenario.
Address other related memories/images in each category if significant.
When resolved move onto the future as in Video 021