Integral Eye Movement Therapy and Relationships

By Rose Ferguson, C. Ht.

. https://online.flippingbook.com/view/1011846526/

More Mental Health Articles

Integral Eye Movement Therapy and Relationships

All relationships affect our wellbeing, and when a relationship ends, people often experience grief, anger, or shame even if they were the one who initiated the split. You may replay arguments in your mind or find yourself reliving painful moments from past relationships, which can lead to sleepless nights and induce a fight-or-flight response.

Over time, traumatic memories will naturally fade. However, if not properly addressed and stored in the mind, the feelings associated with past relationships create an emotional imprint. Like a timestamp on a video, this imprint remains in our mind so that we can reference it in the future. The formation of this imprint is a normal brain function intended to keep you safe. However, maintaining this imprint will not always serve your current goals. For example, you may notice yourself becoming more aware of your old emotional imprints when you enter into a new relationship. Your reactions to events and social interactions may be influenced more by your past experiences than your current reality. To overcome this dissonance, you may want to consider Integral Eye Movement Therapy.

Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) is a therapeutic approach focused on processing the emotions associated with past experiences so that we can move forward in our lives. During an IEMT session, a practitioner asks a client to recall an unhappy memory or unwanted emotion while moving their eyes. These combined actions allow a client to reprocess the memory and the emotion attached to it, enabling them to resolve that trigger. IEMT does not require a client to discuss or relive past experiences. The client simply visualizes the memory associated with the feelings they wish to move past.

IEMT also includes identity work. You and your practitioner will look at who you are, how you see yourself, and the limiting beliefs you have about yourself. This process also addresses our interactions with others and examines our behavior in specific situations, especially ones in which our actions do not reflect our best self. IEMT can be an incredibly healing and empowering experience for people recovering from a breakup, the loss of a loved one, or the end of a friendship. If you feel that your negative memories interfere with your ability to thrive in relationships, or if you find it difficult to resolve the emotions those memories evoke, consider exploring the benefits of IEMT.