Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Hey guys need help. Next week I am going to start EMDR therapy seeing as none if the other ones ever worked and because this new one had a good reputation. I have had to deal with a lot of truama growing up. Repressed feelings, abuses, bullying, depression, anxiety, gender/sexuality confusions as an early teen, ect. I hear EMDR is good but can also bring up some forgotten memories. Which isn't a bad thing as I want to learn how I can get better and be happy. Has anyone here done such a thing and if so what are the results? Or even know of anyone who has? Thanks xox

I have no experience in EMDR therapy; however, I have had a series of Gestalt therapy for child physical and sexual abuse that took place over a period of time. The technique replaced the events with self created events that released the energy in a constructive manner. When (usually every day) I think about the events then I think about the constructed release, it helps. Dreams suck though, no relief.

I think what really helps is I finally forgave the two people. I wish them no ill will. I even made up in my mind the most plausible reason and forgave them.

Good luck and I hope you find relief.   

Me too. But the irony is I'm starting to think maybe all these issues could be somehow repressed gender dysporia. Before some point  in 2002 I was very interested in hanging with the girls and girly thing and apparently there are pics if me wearing female clothing... Apparently, I haven't seen them but wouldn't surprise me. However that year a lot had happened, I was beaten around by some person and told I am going to be ''manned up''. I also was around an envirment were people told me girls are less then boys and women are only made to S**k a man. It wasn't a healthy environment for a girl or a boy and especially a trans kid.   From 2002 until 2007ish I don't recall many or much wanting to be a girl.... Just a lot of trying to be a man, suicidal tendencies, anxiety, ect. I was 8 in 2002 and much more happened.

Since no one else with experience with EMDR has responded, I'll say what little I know.

My current therapist (she has specialized training/experience with gender and trauma issues) is trained in EMDR and has been doing a little with me.

From what I can see, it needs a lot of preparation work.  That is, you don't just walk in the door and have somebody doing the beeps or whatever the first day.  I think you need to develop a trust relationship with the therapist (well, trust is one of my big issues, anyway.)  She had me come up with mental images that would give me a sense of safety, happiness, etc.  (There was one I simply couldn't do -- I couldn't think of anyone who I would feel safe with.)  And we talked about a lot of issues.

In my case, it so far hasn't brought up much in the way of forgotten memories as forgotten feelings.  I expect it to be a slow process because whatever it was that happened to me, it's had 50+ years to fester.

FWIW, my previous therapist (who was very good, just not trained in my particular issues) says that some of her patients have had good results with EMDR.

I'm scheduled to have my first EMDR session Tuesday. I'll report back.

I go Tuesday too and thanks guys!!

Well nothing from yesterday's session.  Therapist said I need one more regular session then we'll schedule the emdr.  So I guess that would be in a month.  A session every two weeks.  She also said the first emdr session will be two hours with a follow up session the next day.

Lol, I didn't get the EMDR either. I get to September 22nd but my therapist seems very open and nice. I trust her

Anyone who has any issues in their past may I suggest go to E.m.D.r. holy s*it it is powerful

I tried a couple of different methods a few years ago, if it's what I'm thinking of. The one with my eyes going side to side was very powerful but made me feel sick. The other one with the clickers in my hands didn't really do much. The first kind helped me let go of a lot of things, so thank goodness for it.