DISCONFIRMING EXPERIENCES

Oftentimes, when we're working with traumatic memories or content, we have difficulties processing internal and external cues to the various events. Sometimes, people feel like they are the walking wounded and aren’t able to resolve any feelings in their emotions, thoughts, or body sensations. They continue to have memories and content arrive in their brains that stimulate the processing of difficult information.

We are able to work with the adaptive memory system and EMDR to create what’s called “disconfirming experiences“. In other words, experiences that create an alternative lived experience that confirms positive beliefs about the world and our place in it.  When we work with information that counteracts an experience in trauma, in EMDR, we call this adaptive information.  In other words, we “disconfirm” the original experience in the body, emotion and thought. This reshapes the sense of self and being in the world and reframes the assumptive world, as we say in grief work.

 The beauty of it is that the information is already there; we simply stimulate and reprocess with EMDR to heal scars permanently vs. continuing to add Neosporin to the wound. In this way, we rewire the brain in both hemispheres to create this adaptive information and create confirming positive experiences for the patient. The world becomes a place that is no longer scary. We can function and live ideally in a positive, peaceful place that allows us to be nurtured and loved. This is the beauty of EMDR.

 These experiences offer patients a way to allow access to information that is adaptive and healing to their brains. Oftentimes, this information is already present, and just needs to be recognized and acknowledged as we access the brain’s natural ability to heal. The neural networks have been operating in a path similar to something that you would see on a dirt road. Disconfirming experiences create a new pathway between the gravel and the grass, to rewire the brain and create new neural pathways.  We are in essence promoting cognitive dissonance by holding 2 opposing memories together to challenge the world as we see it.  By using bi-lateral stimulation, we are able to build new networks and pathways that will create long lasting change for the patient.  This is how we sustain progress with the patients in EMDR.

Review more about how to heal trauma in this video with the cortical and sub-cortical processes.

For more information on EMDR, and the phases of EMDR therapy, please visit the resources listed below.

RESOURCES

EMDR International Association | EMDRIA.ORG

EMDRIA Article | The 8 Phases of EMDR Therapy

Willow Creek Counseling | FAQ page

About the Author: Kathy Couch, LCSW, CT is an EMDRIA-Certified EMDR practitioner and Consultant-in-Training (CIT), and a Board Certified Supervisor with the Idaho Bureau of Occupational Licenses.

Citation:
Couch, K. ( 2023, October 4). DISCONFIRMING EXPERIENCES [Blog Post]. Rewired360. Retrieved from https://www.rewired360.com/blog/disconfirming-experiences.