Trauma Therapy Floatbacks: Why Your “Biggest” Trauma May Not Be Your EMDR Target
When you think about trauma therapy, you might expect to focus directly on the traumatic event that has been troubling you. However, in EMDR therapy, things often take an unexpected turn. This can result in deep, long-lasting healing. One of the surprising aspects of EMDR therapy is that the trauma you expect to process may not end up being the primary target. This is because trauma memories are interconnected. Sometimes the real healing happens when we address the underlying belief that links various traumatic experiences together. Let's explore why your biggest trauma may not be your EMDR target and how floatbacks play a role in unraveling the complex web of trauma memories.
Understanding EMDR Therapy
EMDR therapy is a powerful tool for processing traumatic memories. It involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while recalling distressing events. This allows the brain to reprocess the memory and reduce its emotional charge. Unlike traditional talk therapy, EMDR doesn't require you to discuss every detail of your trauma. Instead, it helps you reprocess and integrate the experience more adaptively.
The Complex Web of Trauma Memories
Trauma memories are often part of a complex web of memories, emotions, and beliefs that can be traced back to early experiences. For example, the core belief "I'm not good enough" probably didn't start for the first time in a tense work meeting at age 30. It probably started young and carried into adulthood. So even if the memory of the work meeting is the most intense and distressing thing right now, processing the meeting alone won't yield relief. We need to find the memory where the belief started and process that. In other words, we need to take out the whole row of figurative dominos.
The Role of Floatbacks
A technique often used in EMDR therapy is the floatback. A floatback helps identify the origin of a distressing belief or emotion. Like we said, it's very rare that someone would have the thought "I'm not good enough" for the very first time as an adult. Finding the original source of that belief is what will heal the trauma. During a floatback, your EMDR therapist guides you to explore earlier memories that may be linked to your current distress. This process can reveal connections between past and present, leading to a more effective trauma target.
Example: Car Accident and Childhood Trauma
To illustrate how this process works, let's consider a fictional example. Imagine a client named Sarah who seeks trauma therapy in San Francisco after experiencing a car accident. She feels intense anxiety every time she gets into a car, and her core belief during these moments is, "I'm in danger."
The Initial Focus
Sarah begins EMDR therapy with the expectation that her car accident will be the primary focus. She assumes that once she processes the accident, her anxiety will diminish. However, as she starts working with her EMDR therapist, a floatback reveals something unexpected.
The Floatback Experience
During a session, Sarah's EMDR therapist guides her to float back to the earliest memory associated with this belief. To Sarah's surprise, the memory that surfaces is not the car accident but a childhood experience when she was five years old.
Sarah recalls being at a crowded amusement park with her family. At one point, she gets separated from her parents and feels lost and terrified. The overwhelming fear she felt as a child was imprinted with the belief "I'm in danger," which later resurfaced during the car accident.
Processing the True Target
Sarah processes this early memory of feeling in danger. As she works through the emotions and beliefs, her anxiety about driving begins to diminish. By addressing the root cause, Sarah finds relief not only from her car accident trauma, but also from the deeper belief that had been fueling her anxiety.
How To Find Your EMDR Therapy Floatback
As a client in EMDR therapy, it is not your responsibility to identify your floatback or pinpoint the root cause of your trauma. Your EMDR therapist is trained to guide you through the process. It's their job to help you uncover the connections between your current distress and past experiences. They use specific techniques to facilitate the floatback process. It's their job to lead this exploration safely and effectively, so you can concentrate on your healing journey without worrying about finding the "right" memories.
If you suspect your EMDR therapist isn't finding the right target, or don't feel EMDR therapy is helping, see this article: 10 Reasons EMDR Therapy Doesn't Work.
You're Not Doing It Wrong, We Promise
Many clients worry that they might not be doing EMDR therapy correctly. Please be assured, you cannot “do it wrong.” EMDR therapy is a collaborative process, and it is your therapist's responsibility to ensure the therapy is conducted correctly. The only mistake you can make is being dishonest or not fully engaging with the process. If you’re finding it difficult to engage or if certain aspects of the therapy feel challenging, communicate this to your EMDR therapist. They are there to support you, adjust the approach if necessary, and create a safe environment for your healing.
Other Examples of Surprise EMDR Targets
Workplace Stress and School Bullying
John is a lawyer in Los Angeles who seeks trauma therapy due to overwhelming stress and anxiety at work. He feels constantly judged by his colleagues and fears making mistakes. During EMDR therapy, a floatback uncovers a memory from high school when he was bullied. The fear of judgment and failure from his school days is linked to his current work stress. By processing this earlier trauma, John begins to feel more confident and secure in his professional life.
Relationship Anxiety and Parental Conflict
Emma is in a relationship and experiences intense anxiety about being abandoned. She worries that her partner will leave her, even though there is no evidence to support this fear. During a floatback in EMDR therapy, Emma recalls witnessing frequent arguments between her parents during childhood, fearing her family would fall apart. This fear of abandonment from her past is influencing her present relationship. Processing this memory allows Emma to feel more secure and trusting in her relationship.
Why Your Trauma May Not Be Your EMDR Target
The examples above highlight why the trauma you initially identify may not be the true target in EMDR therapy. The mind often stores traumatic memories in a network connected by beliefs, emotions, and past experiences. By exploring these connections, EMDR therapy helps uncover the root causes of distress, leading to deeper healing.
Key Insights from EMDR Therapy
Trauma Is Interconnected. Trauma memories are often linked by core beliefs and emotions, requiring exploration beyond the obvious traumatic event.
Early Experiences Matter. Many current issues are rooted in early childhood experiences, shaping how we perceive and respond to later events.
Core Beliefs Are Powerful. Identifying and addressing core beliefs, such as "I'm in danger" or "I'm not good enough," can lead to significant breakthroughs in healing.
Healing Happens at the Root. By targeting the origin of distressing beliefs, EMDR therapy facilitates profound and lasting change.
When to Seek EMDR Therapy
If you're experiencing distress or unresolved trauma, consider seeking the support of an EMDR therapist. EMDR therapy can help you uncover the underlying causes of your distress and provide relief from anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
Full Relief. EMDR therapy often leads to more complete and long lasting symptom relief compared to traditional talk therapy.
Minimal Verbal Processing. You don't need to verbalize every detail of your trauma, making EMDR therapy more accessible. Because trauma often impacts our language centers, talking about trauma can be extremely difficult. If you can communicate the basics, that should be good enough.
Holistic Healing. By addressing the root causes of distress, EMDR therapy promotes holistic healing.
EMDR Therapy in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Throughout California and Florida
If you're ready to explore EMDR therapy and uncover the true targets of your distress, our team is ready to support you. Our staff of experienced therapists specializes in trauma therapy and is committed to your healing journey. Schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life.
