Keeping within the window of tolerance in EMDR when processing trauma/PTSD.

If you’re struggling with PTSD you will be familiar with the feelings of distress and terror that can accompany it. Related to this is the importance of managing these elevated levels of emotion when processing a trauma memory and keeping within the window of tolerance. But what is the window of tolerance?

One of the brains main functions is to protect us from danger; when the brain perceives danger it reacts in several ways, fight & flight, freeze or fawn.

In this blog we will be looking at the “freeze” response. This is characterised by shutting down, think “rabbit in the headlights”.

When neither fighting nor fleeing feels possible, the body may activate the freeze response. This is a form of immobility designed to help you stay unnoticed or prepare for impact. When we are in the throes of the freeze response, we may feel numb, be unable to move, our mind may “zone out” and we may dissociate. In dissociation a person feels distant from their thoughts as if their mind is “somewhere else”.

When processing trauma memories in EMDR we need to operate within the persons “window of tolerance”. This means working with the optimal level of emotional arousal where the client can connect with the distressing trauma memory but can remain present and access emotions without becoming overwhelmed, shutting down and dissociating.

The therapist helps the client to manage elevated emotions before the processing phase of EMDR. In this preparatory stage resource building takes place. A "safe, calm place" is established, other resources include grounding, breathing exercises, learning to discriminate between “then and now”, then at the time of the trauma and now, when reacting to a reminder of the trauma and also importantly acknowledging “I’m safe, that’s not happening now, its in the past".

In the processing phase the client is closely monitored for signs of dissociation, the therapist may ask where they would rate themselves on a scale of 0-10 in terms of being present (e.g. 0= not at all present and 10= totally present in the room) if dissociation was suspected.

Helping the client stay within the window of tolerance is an important way of maintaining a safe and effective EMDR session.

If you have any questions about EMDR and how it can help you to process your trauma please make contact. Im happy to discuss any queries you may have.