Video 015 First Order Processing

Use this solution

To access and safely treat:

·       dissociated experiences and memories of unpleasant and emotionally traumatic experiences that would otherwise overwhelm the conscious mind.

·       implicit memories (sometimes referred to as amnesia), memories that were recorded primarily in right-brain or non-linguistic form, (e.g. with children under age 6-10) or when the experience was so traumatising that it could not be retrieved.

·       incomplete or partial memories that may be dissociation, implicit memory or recollection of one or more parts of behaviour, affect, sensation or knowledge (BASK) that make up experience.

·       stable clients who have a profound fear of accessing trauma memories or repressed material..

Originator:

Maureen Kitchur.  See: The Strategic Development Model of EMDR in: Shapiro, R. (2005). EMDR Solutions: Pathways to Healing. New York: Norton & Company.

Video production

Matthew Davies Media Ltd, Llanidloes, Powys. www.matthewmedia.com

What this covers

This video covers the use of First Order Processing, a body oriented technique.  It allows clients to access memories mostly stored in the right brain in close-to-original form (i.e. in non-linguistic somatosensory form) and to process it non-linguistically and mostly non-cognitively.  In many cases this material would not be amenable to standard processing.

The client, Simon, had been involved in a shocking and life threatening car accident while working in a foreign country when he was 40.  He had been told about the accident but was unable to recall anything about it.  He came to therapy to make sense of what was a three month “gap” in his memory.

How long

14.52 minutes

Related videos

Go to ‘Take-away’?

For Aide mémoire to use in a client session; Wrap up includes some theoretical ideas upon which this protocol is based and which therapists need to understand.

Take-Away Section

+ Wrap up

+ Aide Mémoire

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  1. Take a full client history as per the standard EMDR protocol.
  2. In the preparation phase, install a safe/calm place. If needed add imaginal nurturing, or strengthening, or protection figures and teach the stop signal.
  3. Process any remembered targets using the standard protocol

  4. Now find a way of helping the client begin to focus on the event beyond normal memory by identifying whatever memory fragment is available. Ask:

    • what they remember (not what they were told), or
    • any detail they remember before or after the event, or
    • to bring in a photograph from that time period (of the client, or place where it happened or of any other person involved in the event), or
    • an artifact from that period (a toy or a piece of clothing).

  5. While the client is focused on the target – a sensory fragment or photograph or artifact- ask them to focus on their body and then to:

    • identify the feeling being experienced
    • where it is in their body
    • get a SUDs score (0-10)

  6. Have the client focus on their body and begin processing (BLS) using gentle tappers or tapping or auditory tones (rather than eye movements that may distract the client from engaging with somatosensory memory).

  7. Between sets ask the client what they are noticing or getting in their body. Validate whatever they’re getting and direct their focus back to their body, e.g. “Good. Now go with that or notice your body.” BLS
  8. Be wary of complex memory or cognitions expressed during this type of processing as they are likely to be indicators of left brain functioning. Authentic emergence of memory into language tends to be simple like: “Now I remember”, or “My body hurts”. Respond to complex statements or cognitions by saying: “As you notice that thought, what do you notice/get in your body.” BLS
  9. Clearing of material can be assessed by:
    • when asked to think of the whole event or the original target the client reports SUDs down to 0-1
    • the client feels comfortable in their body and reports no feelings of anxiety/distress/discomfort, e.g. when being driven by a partner in the case of a car accident.
  10. When the material is desensitized it’s time to engage the cognitive side - we all need to have an inner narrative that is important in defining who we are. So engage with the client to develop a positive cognition (PC) and install.
Standard Protocol & AdaptionsRichard Worthing-DaviesComment