MODULE THREE – TRAUMA-CONFRONTATION WITH BMDR

After stabilizing with multiple body “tools”, a safe trauma confrontation may be possible.

 If all previous resources are available and our clients can stabilize themselves even in difficult situations, they are ready for a safe confrontation with trauma. In the “window of tolerance”, in a state of power and self-regulation (“yoga resource”) with integrated “superpowers”, the incorporated “virtues”, and knowing how to calm and protect “the inner child”, our clients can dare to look at, feel and process the most painful memories step by step (“titration”).

The aim is to overcome trauma memories by ending what could not be completed, what could not be done, what could not be felt, what could not be expressed – by first introducing “acts of triumph” and finally letting go of the “unprocessed”. When it becomes possible to feel what should have been felt, but has been buried in terror, shock and pain, the healing process can take place.

Content:

• First “easy confrontation” with something minor (stressful situation of his present life) to make sure our client finds his way back to the resource-state. Stabilizing with all previous resources (“window of tolerance” / yoga-resource / power forces / safe “inner child”). The “little exposition” of the “everyday situation” should end with a “triumph action”.

• Next exposition with a difficult memory (not yet traumatic), giving time to process the body reactions: Arousal and relaxation, feeling the energy rising and calming, stabilizing, and expressing “triumph actions” of overcoming, winning, succeeding the threat. Back to the yoga-resource and the helpful images for stabilization.

• After enough “triumph experiences” and when the client is ready for it, by offering it himself, we look at the traumatic memory without falling into “freeze” keeping him moving and regulating the arousal by the “yoga-resource”.

• What did the “Hero” feel when he looked at it? What does he want to do? What did the “little Ego” feel? What does it need to be safe and saved? Body work and support both – the “hero” and the “little Ego”.

• We work with different forms of externalization and integration of the “hero” and the “little Ego” (BMDR) to give the body the release it needs (unintended trembling) and to integrate the painful emotions arising during the process.

• We must work through all layers of the trauma: body-sensations, emotions, memory, up the ladder of activation (“triumph actions”), till the mourning process becomes accessible what needs our empatic mirroring and containment. After grieving without being overwhelmed by “freeze”, dissociation, fear, panic and other stress reactions, the soul can finally heal.