"My scepticism was very misplaced"

I am just about to complete a counselling Course with Bedfordshire Talking Therapies, ELFT for my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There was an initial assessment process/course which was carried out by Kate and was an online group session. It was then agreed to put me forward for some type of CBT therapy with Christopher.

I had my first session and realised this was an assessment process to look at my situation, I was stunned at how many sessions and how long they were just to identify my situation, and to work out a treatment plan.

I have to identify that I am a Paramedic of extensive experience, so it appeared I had a number of issues to challenge! Christopher recommended Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) as the best course of action for me. I have to say I was very sceptical about this procedure as I didn’t understand it to be honest. Christopher really took his time to explain it to me in detail, as I’m a very challenging person and want to know and understand the processes.

So, we agreed to give it a go! I was very surprised to find myself sat in front of an LED Light bar, moving from left to right! (a bit like KITT the 80’s action series!). Once we had moved through the blue lights probably weren’t the best option for me, we started.

Well, if I’m honest it was a bit confusing to start with, and Christopher stopped the process and just explained the process of relaxing into it and ‘going with it’. So, I did, leant back in the chair and we started. Well before you knew it, we had finished, and surprisingly it had been about 90 minutes I had been in there. We used a couple of techniques during the session including the lights and a tapping session where you tap yourself, they were both really useful.

We went through a number of my issues step by step, it all works around allowing your mind to move through elements in the memory, having worked through each thought your brain feels able to process those thoughts. I had an issue with nightmares, in which I woke up at the same point all of the time. Using this process, I was able to work through that point and carry on to the conclusion of the event, this started the processing of the thoughts and within a few days they were gone!

It felt to me like it was clearing blockages in my head and allowing me to get through the issues we were working on. I was told that my mind will likely continue to process thoughts after the sessions, and I have to agree it did and sleep that night was challenging to say the least. I also felt absolutely exhausted after each session and that would last for at least 24 hours.

I have to admit my scepticism was very misplaced! I have now cleared my mind and my PTSD Symptoms have gone.

This team are amazing, and I cannot thank them enough.