EMDR as a Transpersonal Therapy: A Trauma-Focused Approach to Awakening Consciousness

What Is EMDR?

The standard EMDR protocol has proven its effectiveness, and has been recognized as a therapy for healing trauma and restoring normal adaptive functioning (World Health Organization, 2013). As introduced by Francine Shapiro in the 1980s, EMDR is based in an adaptive information processing (AIP) model. EMDR therapy (Shapiro, 2001) conceptualizes unprocessed traumatic memories as stored in the client’s memory networks, containing related emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and sensory experiences. The EMDR therapist reprocesses the trauma to an adaptive resolution by psychologically integrating the information through an eight-phase protocol incorporating the use of bilateral stimulation (BLS) such as eye movements, tapping, or tones. The client may quickly and swiftly reprocess trauma that has been impeding normal and adaptive functioning. The past is put into the past, current functioning is adaptive, and a future template is created in which the client is free to create adaptive resolution to stressful situations. Treatment is successful when these criteria are met. However, using a transpersonal psychology approach, the goals for our clients go beyond adaptive resolution, to create a greater sense of well-being for the client as the therapist utilizes elements of transpersonal psychotherapy within the standard EMDR protocol.

Spirituality

Transpersonal psychotherapy is not a model unto itself, but can be woven into the therapeutic process. It begins with the therapist having developed a spiritual awareness for themselves, whether through meditation of Eastern or Native spiritual teachings, or religious practice tied to their own culture and background. The key is to develop and initiate connection to a greater cosmic source that becomes tangible in the silence of inner focusing. Shamanism is used as an example here, although these principles are accepted by various spiritual traditions around the world. The shaman is considered to be the caretaker of the earth, journeying through meditation and mindfulness into the inner silent spaces of what the shaman calls the nonordinary reality. This nonordinary reality holds an awareness of connection to spirit and to nature, beyond linear time and space where we are all connected by a unified field of consciousness. The focus shifts from the egoic perception of separation, to an expanded awareness where we are interconnected to each other and to a larger cosmic whole.

In shamanism, the belief is that the nonordinary reality is as real and valid as the ordinary world. Patterns of trauma, current and ancestral, are held in the human energy field and perceived by bringing awareness to the nonordinary reality (Villoldo, 2000). We can think of the human energy field as being the electromagnetic field of energy that surrounds the physical body. Like a recording holds electromagnetically recorded events, the human energy field holds the vibrational patterns (electromagnetic frequency) related to physical disease and emotional trauma. This ancient spiritual belief that the energy body holds information and knowledge is present in modern programs of energy healing (Roman & Packer, 2009; Villoldo, 2000), and has led to the emerging field of energy medicine in our Western culture.

The healing practitioner can work in these ranges of nonordinary reality, clearing old patterns and awakening life force as the individual comes into a state of harmony and balance as resonance with heaven and earth is established. It is through the imagination that the shaman learns to access the higher consciousness necessary in order to work within these realms. Ancient healing practices believe that the key to healing is the acknowledgment of a multidimensional anatomy, which understands the integral relationship of the subtle energy bodies to the physical and emotional body. The philosophy of being part of a larger cosmic whole is at the root of ancient healing traditions around the world and is integrated into their energy healing practices (Chia & Hilton, 2017; Villoldo, 2000).

The context of this larger whole, within a transpersonal psychotherapy model, is often perceived by both therapist/healer and client as having a spiritual context. This may or may not have a religious context for the client or therapist. It is the individual’s reference point and relationship to religion that determines the interpretation. The therapist does not imply an interpretation of the client experience. The therapist explores the client’s interpretation and supports the client’s process without providing spiritual or religious guidance. Therapists have reported that clients will develop spiritual belief systems without the therapist ever saying a word about a spiritual reference (Siegel, 2013). The spiritual or religious context that emerges offers meaning for the client about their trauma and helps them to cope with the event and memories.

Science

Studies in neuroscience have shown that coherence happens between two people through mindfulness, attunement, and resonance (McCraty & Childre, 2010; Siegel, 2010). This concept is important to understand how the consciousness of the therapist may influence the process of the client within a shared field. Western research has shown how ancient spiritual practices incorporating mindfulness have the potential to change brain function and biology (Vaitl et al., 2013). It is possible to hypothesize that through the evolving consciousness of the clinician and the therapeutic integration of these tools of consciousness, the therapeutic relationship holds the potential for greater flow and balance in the energy patterns that lie within the human energy field of our client. At the same time, there is an attunement that the client senses emotionally, somatically, and energetically, as they feel more ease, joy, and self-acceptance.

Psychology

Blackstone (2006) emphasized the role of relationship, between psychotherapist and client, in creating a shared healing field within the experience of nondual consciousness. Blackstone wrote that “nondual consciousness is experienced as the basis of contact, the most intimate contact one could have with oneself and others” (Blackstone, 2006, p. 30). The therapist can respond to the experience of each moment and put aside strategies. Blackstone’s reference to nondual consciousness is taken from Buddhism, where stages of nondual realization range from the illusion of separation of the ordinary mind to the realization of the true nature of being and the complete unity with the divine. Within a clinical context, there is an immediate knowing of emotional qualities from therapist to client within an intersubjective field where rigid organizational structures are released and a deeper knowing of our client emerges. Similarly, Krystal (Krystal et al., 2002) works within expanded states of consciousness in her EMDR practice, allowing the spaciousness within her to facilitate an intuitive and nonlinear protocol with her clients.

The exploration of the intersubjective field within the clinical setting supports the understanding of the healing effects achieved within a shared environment which resonates with a higher vibrational frequency. This concept is similar to musical resonance. Every note has its own unique vibrational signature which moves through a shared unified field, as when one plucked guitar string activates the same note in a guitar across the room. Kossak (2008), in his exploration of attunement through rhythmic improvisation, defined the concept of sympathetic resonance as “a vibratory phenomenon produced by reflective merging created when energy (pulsation) moves between two or more bodies” (p. 37). Nagata (2002) explored the deep embodied experience of being in resonance with another individual and defines embodied resonance as “the bodymind’s experience of energetic vibration from both internal and external sources” (p. ii). When two or more come together, a sympathetic resonance develops which becomes interpersonal. There is a shared experience of the same emotional vibration that becomes intensified as they resonate together.

EMDR Therapy as Fertile Ground

The elements that make EMDR therapy fertile ground for a transpersonal model are the internal focus during silent spaces in reprocessing, the use of the imagination, and the ability on the part of the therapist to facilitate a deep experience of connection, moving the client into the realms of higher consciousness within a shared energy field of higher vibrational energy. The BLS component helps the client to attain greater coherence among all systems.

Healing practices of ancient traditions are based on finding vibrational blockages within the human energy field, and releasing those blockages as the healer accesses the vibrational energy of higher consciousness and uses knowledge of energy healing to help the client restore a balance within their subtle bodies of their energy field (Chia & Hilton, 2017; Villoldo, 2000). The therapist/healer, using a transpersonal approach, can establish a link between higher consciousness and the site where the information is stored in the energy field, creating a greater flow of energy (information) between neurophysiology and the energy system. Vibrational patterns associated with the memory networks of emotional trauma can be identified through the imagination of the client and the inner focus of the therapist. Processing is activated using skills of imagery, resonance to higher consciousness, and EMDR protocol, facilitating a swift emotional and cognitive shift with a higher consciousness perspective. Working in these subtle energies lead to a regeneration of the divine patterns of health and healing within our energy field, our minds, and our bodies.

Abdul-Hamid and Hughes (2015) suggested that traditional Sufi practices incorporating dance is a way of creating BLS of the brain, and can initiate a process similar to what we see within the EMDR protocol. They offer this as a cultural modification of the EMDR process. Perhaps, this is a way of introducing altered states into the EMDR process which bring the mind, body, energy field, and spirit into balance.

The field of energy psychology has emerged through Western adaptation of ancient healing practices, and has been a successful integrative modality with EMDR (Hartung & Galvin, 2003), without the connection to the spiritual core and consciousness at the foundation of spiritual healing traditions. Although a good start, the central core of consciousness can be integrated as the therapist remains centered and in resonance with a larger range of consciousness, and the client is taught to do the same. The client may just naturally resonate with the therapist in this range, or can be taught mindful exercises to bring their focus within and work with their inner senses.

The standard eight phases of EMDR therapy provide the elements needed as a springboard for a transpersonal approach to be implemented. Although the attention of the client is not in a meditative state in the standard protocol, the silent space of reprocessing trauma with the use of auditory or tactile BLS and eyes closed creates the potential for the client to shift into an altered state of awareness.

Vaitl et al. (2013) conducted an extensive literature review and concluded that the elements present in the creation of an altered state of consciousness are focused concentration on a visual or rhythmic acoustic stimulus, detachment from goal-directed thought, and receptivity to unusual experiences. This would elicit a neurophysiological relaxation response in the left temporal area of the brain as compared to the right frontal areas which are stimulated by negative emotion. The conclusion was that various relaxation techniques predispose the body and mind to accept unusual experiences that emerge during altered states. This can include unusual inner auditory or visual experiences, mystical experience, or even near-death experiences, which expand consciousness. These conclusions support the evidence that ongoing meditation practice and mindful awareness enhance the therapeutic process (Davis & Hayes, 2011; Siegel, 2010). We can assume that the focusing of EMDR therapy, with rhythmic BLS, detaching from expectation and goal orientation, provides the elements for the client to potentially shift awareness into an altered state of consciousness. If we add to these factors the consciousness of the therapist, and the impact within the shared field, it is plausible that the client has the potential to activate consciousness and awaken to a larger spiritual context.

These principles of consciousness are extrapolated from the foundational belief systems and practices of Eastern and Native wisdom traditions. Although the premises of these spiritual traditions lack extensive scrutiny of Western research, they have become widely accepted around the world over many centuries.

Therapists are most likely not spiritual masters, nor may choose to be so. Research has shown that as the therapist learns skills of mindfulness, they report that they become more compassionate, empathic, and attuned to the client (Shapiro & Izett, 2008). We are constantly contributing to the complex multidimensional experience between ourselves and others, linked within a shared unified field. If the therapist continues to evolve within a process of growth and transformation, then the client has greater potential to do the same. This concept is understood in child developmental theory. The same applies to the therapeutic experience for the client. If these ancient concepts are applied to the therapeutic relationship, then we can suppose that through evolving consciousness and the use of imagination, the therapist can perceive in the unseen nonordinary reality, influencing the vibrational patterns held in the energy field through a shared resonance. As the therapist maintains a balance between the external interaction and an internal focused presence, it is possible to transform human consciousness, heal emotional trauma, and awaken a vital life force within our client.

Therapist’s Attunement as a Doorway to Spiritual Resonance

The therapist finds his or her unique way to center and align to a sense of cosmic or spiritual connection through inner focusing. This may be mindful deep breathing, imagery, meditation, or kinesthetic sensation of stepping into resonance with a larger whole, setting the energetic foundation for inner wisdom to emerge.

Internal Feedback Mechanisms

Intuitive processes of inner vision, hearing, direct knowing, and embodied sensation allow for the emergence of unconscious material to make its way to float to the surface of awareness. The therapist uses these deep intuitive skills for assessment and to determine intervention throughout the session. He or she waits for resonance to indicate that the client has successfully processed and that it is timely to use a verbal intervention to ground and integrate the experience, in order to move on to the next level of processing.

Nonlinear Process of Assessment and Healing

The therapist allows the client’s process to flow unattached to the constraints and expectations of the ordinary world. Old trauma can be resolved and that is a stated goal. That will happen with EMDR. Therapist and client immerse themselves into a flow of experience in a shared field, allowing the client’s inner experience to determine the way. In shamanism, as one steps into this process, assessment of the blockages in the field begin to blend and harmonize and assessment and healing become one and the same.

Internal Focus of Awareness

Both therapist and client are focused internally. As the client is reprocessing trauma, the therapist maintains a centered and focused state, while continuously intuitively tracking the clients’ process verbally, nonverbally, and vibrationally. The client learns to mirror this ability by engaging with the therapist on all of these levels.

Therapists’ Internal Experience

The therapist is immersed in the experience of straddling the egoic and expanded realities. He or she may feel joy, compassion, unconditional love, peace, and kinesthetic experiences of expansiveness, or energy flowing up the spine. Inner senses may make the experience visual with light filling the room, or inner guides by their side. Intuition leads the way as the therapist senses the ebbs and flow of the resonance or lack of resonance in the field. Inner hearing may awaken, as a way of sensing the therapists’ intuitive insights. Wilber (2000) refers to this as hearing the whispers of the soul.

Gratitude for the ability to maintain this experience may emerge. The therapist submerges deep within as clients do the same, allowing deep experience and information to rise to the surface of awareness, and then illumination of the process emerges with greater meaning than the egoic mind could have grasped. EMDR therapy is not a rigid process. It provides a framework from which deep interpersonal and transpersonal elements can emerge. There can be a mutual process between therapist and client within this experience of inner focus that leads to the evolution of awakening consciousness, expanding the context of the therapeutic alliance (Allen, 2014).

Nonattachment to Ego, Goals, Expectations, and Outcome

The therapist steps out of ego and releases expectations to allow the client’s process to reach unlimited and exceptional results. If the therapist limits client expectations, then results are limited. If the therapist needs to evaluate his or her effectiveness each step of the way, then the therapist is no longer allowing the process to unfold to its greatest capacity. The therapist can follow the EMDR protocol and set client goals, and then surrender to the experience of the moment, shifting states to an expanded awareness.

Energy Transmission

A transpersonal therapist may have experience, training, and knowledge of the subtle energy field through energy medicine training and meditation practice. The therapist may directly transmit ranges of energy to the client, such as in a heart-to-heart connection as they bring awareness to their open heart. However, many therapists believe that the higher spiritual or soul energy is integrated in them, and they do nothing to actively transmit. They just focus within. Ultimately, transmission becomes mutual and multidimensional between therapist, client, heaven, and earth, creating a spiritual resonance within a shared field.

Integration of Egoic Mind and Higher Consciousness

As the therapist uses intuition to sense the mutual flow of coherent and resonant energy in the shared field, it becomes prudent to wait until after that shift into resonance to bring the client back to dialogue. This allows the client to ground and explore the experience from the perception of the egoic mind. It is often at this stage that the client will describe experiences from a higher consciousness perspective that changes the context of the trauma. Clients frequently begin to perceive their trauma as part of a larger spiritual path, a turning point in their lives. The therapy itself becomes sacred space, where the mind steps back from the egoic consciousness of our everyday world, and a sacred union with the divine is experienced. Sacred space is the space within oneself that allows that divine nature to reveal itself (e.g., Pargament, Lomax, McGee, & Fang, 2014). A spiritual perspective gives the trauma meaning that helps clients cope as they make sense out of an event that seemed senseless (e.g., Walker, Courtois, & Aten, 2015). Inner wisdom and peak experiences can emerge indicating the beginning of the client’s path of spiritual awakening is upon him. This experience and perspective can be awe inspiring and life changing (Schneider, 2014).

History Taking: Phase 1

As soon as the therapist meets the client in the first session, the therapist becomes the vibrational tool providing safety and balance, nonverbally inviting the client into this emotionally, environmentally, and vibrationally safe space. As the therapist uses double vision and intuitive senses, the client’s energy field can be perceived as being in resonance or nonresonance with the therapist, the earth, and a divine cosmic presence.

As the client shares his or her history, the therapist determines the client’s strengths, weaknesses, resiliency, and ability to cope with the effects of trauma. Attachment styles can be assessed and questions asked about the client’s spiritual or religious beliefs. These are all considered in the creation of an appropriate treatment plan.

Psychospiritual developmental stages can be assessed during history taking. From a transpersonal perspective, we want to know if the client has a spiritual belief system to draw on as a resource, or is there a feeling of being detached from or abandoned by God? Notice how closely the belief is related to parental relationships and history. Does the client perceive a sense of isolation in the world or interconnection, and to what degree? The answers to these questions will help the therapist understand the psychospiritual developmental factors that have shaped the organizational structure of the client’s self-esteem and life choices.

The therapist listens for identifiable trauma and triggers for future processing. Although not all clients come in for therapy with an identified trauma, there may be symptoms of anxiety, depression, and poor self-esteem which are rooted in small traumas throughout the client’s life. The therapist listens for negative belief systems that the client has been carrying. As trauma is discussed, the therapist assesses levels of affect regulation and determines whether the client’s emotional reactions are within a window of tolerance, or become out of control or dampened. The client’s ability to tolerate emotions may be influenced by the therapist’s ability to attune with the client, as the client feels seen and understood. This initial step helps the client emotionally regulate in the moment. The experience subtly alerts the client of the potential to integrate the ability to self-regulate.

If the client’s emotional response escalates during the history taking, the therapist needs to stay centered within while being present and empathetic to the client’s emotional experience. Mindful awareness and breath work can be introduced to the client if the client is becoming emotionally triggered by the content of the information. Teaching the client to take deep cleansing breaths, while the therapist joins in the process, is an initial step toward self-soothing, emotional regulation, and internal and interpersonal attunement.

Preparation: Phase 2

Phase 2 of EMDR therapy prepares the client for the process of healing trauma. The client is informed about how EMDR therapy works, and the potential for emotional reaction as triggers and traumas come into awareness. The transpersonal approach to the EMDR protocol is not a change in the protocol itself, and does not have to be described to the client, especially if the client does not relate to the concepts. The therapist is being who he or she is and brings themselves into the session. The therapist is not actively doing something to the client. If the client reveals a spiritual or religious belief system that is integrated within them, it can be beneficial for the therapist to reveal that the spiritual elements that influence the client are at the core of a transpersonal approach which can be acknowledged. It often resolves clients’ concerns of being judged for their own transpersonal experiences and belief systems.

BLS is introduced by the transpersonal therapist if it is safe to do so without activating traumatic memory or dissociative experience. Studies have validated eye movement as the most effective type of BLS compared to tones, reducing vividness and emotional intensity of trauma (van den Hout et al., 2011). However, the use of headphones with music that alternates from ear to ear is an effective way to create BLS so that the client may choose the option to process with closed eyes, learning to turn within and enhance an inner focus. Dual awareness with eyes open requires mindful awareness in order to stay centered and focused on the experience, thus increasing brain coherence. This dual awareness is not a movement between states of consciousness from egoic to expanded awareness. However, it does create the potential for enhanced levels of brain coherence to elicit an experience based in altered states of awareness and multisensory experiences. The option for the client to close eyes often yields a state change more quickly, not consistent with the standard approach. The therapist needs to respect the client’s natural choice and to use good clinical judgment to determine client’s ability to manage the experience.

The client is asked to create an internal safe space—an actual place or an imagined place. Often the client chooses a safe place in nature. Connection to nature is considered grounding and stabilizing in shamanic tradition. The client then identifies a word or a phrase as a reminder of this safe space. Helping the client use a safe space within strengthens skills of mindful awareness, aids with affect regulation and self-soothing, and is a powerful resource in treatment. Its creation forms new adaptive neural pathways in the brain. To be effective, this safe place should be a vivid experience. To facilitate this, the therapist may ask the client to put all of his or her awareness into this safe space, and to become immersed in the experience by suggesting something like this:

When clients experience a state change in the preparation phase, from egoic to expanded awareness, this can be an initial introduction to internal focusing and expanded awareness, as the therapist simultaneously contributes vibrationally to a shared field filled with potentiality for higher consciousness processing, making this a multisensory experience. The therapist determines if the client can experience that sense of safety from the egoic perspective. During this phase of preparation, the client may need guidance from the therapist to work toward stabilization and ego integration in order to move forward. The client’s ability to shift states and return to the present egoic state without signs of dissociation is noted by the therapist.

During this phase, internal resources are assessed, and resource installation can include the access of transpersonal resources. As the therapist attunes to a higher spiritual range, the client may spontaneously access a higher part of him or herself. The integration of a higher self, or soul awareness can be very helpful overall with ego integration, as the higher self is used as a resource to do whatever is necessary to foster integration of dissociated ego parts. Clients learn to trust their internal process, and often report images of light, kinesthetic experiences, or a deep intuitive knowing that accompany the emergence of their own inner wisdom. This resource may be drawn on throughout the phases of the protocol for acceleration of reprocessing of trauma, leading to an experience of awakening consciousness.

Assessment: Phase 3

This phase identifies the components of the memory being worked on in the session. First, the client identifies a perceptual image of the event. Then, the client is asked to identify a negative cognition (NC) that expresses the current maladaptive self-assessment related to the traumatic experience. Examples of this are beliefs such as, “I am a bad person,” or “I am worthless.” The client is subsequently asked for a positive cognition (PC) indicating what they would like to believe about themselves. Examples are, “I am a good person,” or “I have value.” The client is asked to assess the validity of the PC utilizing the 7-point validity of cognition (VOC) scale, where 1 is not true and 7 is completely true. While focusing on the image, or sensory experience related to the target memory, with the NC, the client is asked to identify the emotions that are evoked. Client evaluates the level of disturbance utilizing the subjective units of disturbance (SUD) scale of 0–10, where 10 is the most stressful level. The client is asked to identify the location of the physical sensations in the body that are stimulated while focusing on the memory. Throughout this phase, the therapist remains centered and focused both internally, and to the outer expressions of the client. Assessment becomes focused in the energy field as well as in the client’s verbal and nonverbal responses.

Desensitization: Phase 4

The client focuses on the experience of the target memory while BLS is utilized to enhance brain coherence. This facilitates the movement of traumatic memory from its frozen state in the limbic system of the brain to the frontal lobe, where reprocessing can take place. Interweaves can be utilized if the client appears to be blocked in the process. Transpersonal interweaves can help to remove blocks and allow processing to flow as a state change occurs, creating the potential to process old trauma from a higher consciousness perspective.

Client’s trauma now has meaning and purpose beyond what could have been anticipated, and the SUD becomes a zero.

Installation: Phase 5

The client is asked to rate the emerging cognition on the VOC scale of 1–7. BLS is continued until the PC reaches a VOC of 7, when applied to the original target traumatic memory.

In this transpersonal model, therapists are encouraged not to move on too quickly from the installation phase. This part of the treatment is not an ending. It is a chance for new and emerging positive beliefs to reflect an origin based in larger cosmic awareness. It is during this phase that clients may move through stages of evolving PCs as they report, “I am loveable, I am love, I am light, I am.” This evolving process is often accompanied by reported experiences of feeling expansive and enveloped in the unity of a larger cosmic whole, as transformational EHEs and spiritual awakening unfold in the session. The emerging transpersonal PCs are installed using BLS.

Body Scan: Phase 6

Phase 6 of EMDR takes us back to a body scan, an important part of the process because memory is not held only on a cognitive level in the brain. It is held in the cells and muscles of the body. Sometimes, it is the only way into the trauma when explicit memory is not accessible, and memory is implicit from preverbal experience or memory stored outside of conscious awareness. Every cell of the body, the organs, and postures may hold memory of trauma even if the client cannot recall it consciously (van der Kolk, 2014). The client is instructed to mentally scan the body while holding the target memory and the PC in mind at the same time, using BLS. The client scans for residual discomfort, or for a positive or neutral sensation or feeling. The client continues until any discomfort neutralizes.

Adding a transpersonal element, the client may be asked to imagine or notice a radiant light above, as a healing light shining down into the discomfort in the body. This is most effective with closed eyes. Shapiro (2012) introduced a similar process called the Lightstream technique. Unlike Shapiro, the therapist is encouraged not to suggest a color for the light or give the client a point of reference for a color. Do not ask the client to give it a form. Only label it as a healing light. Then, ask the client what color presents itself and to notice what changes. In shamanic tradition, the belief is that the body–mind, or body consciousness, holds information and knowledge within the energy field. The body–mind’s inner wisdom accesses the color necessary for healing. Each color of the spectrum holds a different frequency. The patterns of the belief systems are held not only in the body, but also in the energy field. The mental body grid, a grid of intersecting lines of energy surrounding the physical body, holds the patterns of our belief and mental cognitions.

The client can be asked to scan their energy field with their imagination, if they can relate to that concept. The client’s inner wisdom is the best resource to determine what color (frequency) would help balance the energy field, and not just the physical body. As the color is brought in as a ray of light, patterns can dissolve within the field and the body responds in kind. This healing light technique is an example of a cosmic interweave, where the client’s inner wisdom and spiritual connection envelops the experience, and processing becomes multidimensional. A client who is familiar with the energy field may also bring awareness into it and describe the pattern of negative belief. Processing continues with BLS, within an expanded experience, often reported as spiritual radiance. As negative patterns dissolve, colors may emerge, and experiences of lightness and joy may surface.

PCs can be worked with in the same way. Body memory of positive beliefs can be identified and reinforced as light, energy patterns, symbols, even sounds within the energy field. As energy patterns change, corresponding changes occur within the body, the mind, and the emotional response pattern. This is the integration of the shaman’s top-down approach to healing by changing the energy field which creates emotional and cognitive changes, with the Western bottom-up approach of reaching for the root trauma and unprocessed content, changing the cognitions, emotions, and then releasing the pattern held in the energy field.

Closure: Phase 7

A state change is initiated as both client and therapist come back to egoic awareness from an experience of entrainment within an expanded state. The therapist helps the client reorient to the present everyday world. This is an important opportunity for the client to share and ground the experience through dialogue and reflection. As unusual experiences emerge within a transpersonal framework, the therapist’s acceptance is a crucial factor in their clients’ ability to accept and give meaning to the experience within a context that makes sense to them.

Any unprocessed material is noted. The client is asked to keep a journal between sessions in order to observe and track their continued processing of material, emotions, beliefs, and understanding of their experiences. This includes emerging unprocessed content as well as transpersonal experiences.

Reevaluation: Phase 8

The therapist utilizes the EMDR standard three-pronged protocol when the client returns for the next session. The therapist reviews the client’s evolving past targeted memory. An assessment is made of the effects of previous reprocessing, presence of current triggers, and anticipated future challenges. Phases 3–8 are repeated if the client reports any residual or new targets. Once again, the therapist–healer can reinforce the installation of PCs, and transpersonal experiences, giving meaning to current and future anticipated events. It is often in the reevaluation phase that clients relate further insights as they reflect on the previous work. They may then begin to seek experiences for further transformation such as through meditation or yoga.

Case Vignette 1

Mark entered treatment as a result of experiencing disabling panic attacks. His history revealed that he had symptoms of anxiety throughout childhood. He could no longer drive his car long distances, sail his boat, or be a passenger in an airplane, without suffering from severe anxiety and panic. His family was riddled with fear and anxiety, and he learned through early childhood family experience that he was not safe in his environment. Triggered by a current aborted attempt to fly on an airplane, an emotionally stressful early childhood memory emerged of being 5 years old in an airplane with his family member who was terrified that the plane was going to crash. This was a disturbing traumatic memory, with corresponding stress held in his body. His NC was: “I am not safe.” He could not embrace the desired PC: “I am safe” (VOC:2) as he felt extremely anxious (SUD:10).

He was responding well to the EMDR protocol over time, as the therapist was in a centered experience, connecting to the earth, to the higher self, and tracking the flow of energy between therapist and client. Mark’s BLS of choice was music that alternated from ear to ear with headphones, choosing to close his eyes during processing. The therapist senses the resonance, and then asks the client to share what is coming up for him. Mark began to emotionally and physically relax as he realized: PC: I am safe now (VOC:5). His SUD around the targeted memory was SUD:2 as the image faded. His panic attacks subsided. He was beginning to feel safer in his car, and could take longer drives as the anticipatory fear of having a panic attack diminished. The therapist used skills of inner intuitive knowing, and tracking energy and information flow with internal feedback mechanisms. Mark was taught stress reduction techniques of deep breathing and centering that he could use outside of session for self-soothing.

Mark reported that he had a history of moving forward in his accomplishments around emotional and physical health, only to slide back into anxiety and sabotage his progress. He was fearful of this happening again, and saw subtle signs of that pattern emerging. The therapist moved back to resource development and helped Mark to identify internal ego parts. He was able to access a saboteur, who positioned himself outside of a circle of positive internal resources. Through his imagination, with BLS, the client was guided by the therapist to access a part of himself that exists beyond the personality. He identified this part as a coach. To the client’s surprise, as he accessed the coach, waves of light infused his experience, as the saboteur allowed himself to step into the circle of internal support and love.

Mark then had an unusual experience where he spontaneously imagined that the top of his head opened and flowers were coming out of his head. He needed to check with the therapist to make sure that he was not, in his words, “crazy.” The therapist reassured him and encouraged him to follow his process, continuing BLS, realizing that a picture or symbol is more powerful than words, even if the meaning is not obvious to the conscious mind. The therapist was steadily maintaining a centered experience and opening to the flow of energy, envisioning light filling the room. This became a turning point for Mark. In the next session, he reported that he felt confident that he was safe (VOC:7) as he drove his car without anxiety. He felt confident that he would not get discouraged and sabotage his process.

The following series of unusual events happened for Mark after that session. First, an owl landed outside his patio in the middle of the night, and they held eye contact with one another for hours. In shamanic tradition, animal allies will come to us to work with us for healing and transformation if we allow the process to unfold. The therapist approached the experience with the owl as a resource. Mark believed that the owl was supporting his inner wisdom. This was another turning point where Mark began to feel more confident, and was able to take a short plane flight without anxiety.

Then, Mark had a second experience where a bird dropped from the sky and landed dead at his feet. In shamanic tradition, death represents the end of a cycle, and a new birth. Fortunately, that was the interpretation that Mark gave the incident. Using BLS and internal focusing, Mark believed that it meant that he had to set his priorities and reduce his stress by letting go of a side business that he loved but was not financially profitable. He realized that the business had not failed, but only had come to a natural end of a cycle. This awareness took a large burden off of him and clarified his next steps. He was then able to go on his boat without anxiety.

Then, Mark had a third unusual experience, while on his boat. Two black birds landed and stayed on the boat with him for the duration of his ride, and left when he docked safely. The meaning of this was explored, using the EMDR protocol for resource integration. Mark believed that the birds were messengers reassuring him that he was safe on his journey. His PC: I am safe, was now a VOC:7.

Therapist and client were able to draw on the energy of the bird, and call on it within his imagination, as a resource when emotionally charged material would come to the surface. The bird also helped Mark to feel safe in the original early targeted memory (SUD:0); in the present moment where triggers subsided; and was instrumental in creating a future template where stressful events could find swift adaptive solutions, consistent with the AIP model. Mark was astounded by this series of events with birds, but became accepting of the deeper meaning and process that it initiated. Mark was realizing the strength of his connection to nature and to spirit. He recognized that as he allowed old cycles to end, new ones began, and he was safe. His life began shaping itself in alignment with the dreams he held of his future.

Case Vignette 2

Carly came in for treatment because she had been struggling with a diagnosis of lung cancer. She was connected to nature and immersed in a holistic lifestyle. Although 70, she had the demeanor and the innocence of a 60s flower child. She consulted with doctors, but made choices that were true to her belief systems and way of life, often turning away from the conventional medical protocol. She was having positive results, and her doctors supported her choices. She recognized that there were unresolved emotional components to her physical illness and she wanted to heal those issues, hoping that it would also heal her cancer.

Carly had a deep belief that she was invisible and helpless in her environment, stemming from early childhood trauma (NC: I am helpless). In the preparation phase of EMDR, she chose a safe space and went deep into a meditative state, different than the standard protocol. This state change fostered an expanded awareness of safety within a larger cosmic whole, and brought great joy to her experience. The therapist would turn within, finding a centered focus through mindful awareness and then an attunement to the client. This allowed for a shared field of energy to flow between therapists and client, as a potentiality of resonance is established. Early stressful touch stone memories were identified that were at the route of her belief system that she was invisible and, therefore, helpless (SUD:10) since her mother could not see her.

The BLS of choice was a musical CD that had music alternating from one ear to the other. Carly would close her eyes to process an early childhood scene. The therapist’s internal focus brought to awareness the connection to the earth and to spirit. The therapist felt sensations of tingling running up her spine, and a bodily pulsation that is reflective of what may be perceived as the connection between the therapist and client in a shared energy field. Using intuitive inner vision, the therapist would observe colors of light filling the room, and sense inner calmness in the experience. Carly would close her eyes as she would process her traumatic memory. As reprocessing of her early traumas continued she had the emotional awareness that she is not invisible if she is seen and held by a spiritual presence greater than herself.

The therapist guided Carly to use her imagination to access the memory networks of trauma held in her cancer cells. It is accepted that memory is not just held in the brain, but held in the body. In spiritual traditions, consciousness (memory and information) is held within the larger energy field. Carly envisioned that her cancer cells were black and heavy. She realized that her cancer cells held her helplessness. She was guided by the therapist to go deeper into the cell and find the earliest memory of helplessness. Her deep inner focus and imagination took her to a scene that she believed was a past life memory. She described walking on a low-lit bridge in London. A man was walking towards her dressed for the opera, and he stabbed her multiple times and she died. Her SUD was 8 with the NC of “I am helpless.” She wanted to feel empowered (VOC:2). The standard EMDR protocol was used to process this memory, using BLS, along with a transpersonal framework of inner focusing and double vision of moving from egoic to expanded awareness. The scene faded and she imagined her soul lifting into a loving and radiant light where she could find forgiveness and self-love. It was this experience that helped her realize that death was not to be feared, and she is not helpless (SUD:0). She felt empowered by the experience (VOC:7), and had found a higher part of herself, her soul, that became a very positive internal resource.

There came a time in the therapeutic process where Carly recognized that her health crisis was leading her on a path of spiritual awakening, and ultimately, a preparation for death. In wisdom traditions, the belief is that a healing is not necessarily the same thing as a cure, and death is a transition that walks by our side since birth. Carly envisioned a strong warrior within her, prepared to face her fears of death, as her cancer began to resurge. She realized that her soul lives on and her identity transformed from a helpless little girl to an eternal spirit.

The therapist asked Carly if she was prepared to die. She said she was, but tears streamed down her cheeks as she was concerned she would miss those that she leaves behind. She perceived the light of her soul as bright and radiant. In a prolonged installation phase, her PC transformed from “I am empowered,” to “I am light,” to “I am.” She spoke about the radiant flow of energy that she and her therapist held together, as soul awareness emerged. Carly healed on the path to conscious awareness, even though she was not cured. She knew that her spirit would live on. Carly passed on Earth Day, which was representative of who she was.

Expanded Context of Treatment

In the case examples, the standard EMDR protocol was used in conjunction with a transpersonal framework where an expanded context for treatment can emerge as the client’s spiritual wisdom organically reveals itself within a shared field held by both therapist and client. Therapists may also introduce guided imagery and breathing exercises to turn the client’s focus internally to allow for a transpersonal experience to emerge. The consciousness of the therapist is not often addressed, but may play a significant role in client transformation as the client’s old traumas reprocess and adaptive functioning is enhanced (Siegel, 2013, 2017). This concept is similar to the way a spiritual teacher may hold open a frequency linked to awareness that holds the potential for consciousness to evolve beyond the limitations of our everyday ordinary reality. The therapist trained in internal focusing, mindfulness, meditation, or spiritual practice may do the same. It is the basis of homeopathy that as we add a higher frequency to a lower or denser frequency, the lower resonates with the higher (Khan, 1961).

In modern times, consciousness is awakening, and the therapist can take the client as far as the therapist has gone within themselves. Spiritual mastery on the part of the therapist is not expected. As the therapist’s takes a next step on a path of personal growth and transformation, there is the potential for client healing to accelerate and for conscious awakening to evolve within a transpersonal approach to the standard EMDR protocol.

As the therapist shifts states and holds dual awareness, inner intuitive senses can track energy and information flow allowing for an additional set of senses to contribute to clinical assessment, intervention, and healing. The potential for peak spiritual experiences, or exceptional human experiences (White, 1994), are present and may integrate within a larger context for the client as inner spiritual wisdom emerges and healing trauma becomes a path for personal and spiritual growth. Carly’s health crisis awakened her to that path, changing the context and content of treatment.

Positive resourcing takes on a larger cosmic tone as the clients’ inner wisdom emerges and they become aware of a connection to a part of themselves that is beyond the personality. Some refer to this as their soul, higher self, or authentic self. Our dissociation from soul awareness is part of the human condition (Grosso, 1997; Miller, 2014). Inviting in that dissociative part that exists beyond the personality, silently or verbally, enhances ego integration and can be used as a cosmic interweave. As the client touches on soul awareness, the veil between the personality and the soul is no longer rigid, but a fluid dance of awareness between egoic perception and the inner wisdom of the soul. The journey of the personality for growth and healing becomes entwined with soul awareness, and expands the context of healing. It is from this integrated perspective that we can understand the journey into what Dossey (2014) would call nonlocal consciousness, Jung (1996) would call the collective consciousness, and the shaman would call the nonordinary reality (Villoldo, 2000) where we can access the forces of nature and the divine spirit as we are all part of one unified field of consciousness. Clients have the opportunity to perceive their trauma as a crossroads with the potential of spiritual awakening and a sense of wholeness.

The experiences reported by Mark in “Client Vignette 1” section are indicative of experiences that may emerge in shamanic tradition. The shaman believes that power stalks us, meaning the forces of nature or animal allies can come to us as messengers of spirit. They have much to teach us if we embrace them. The outer world of the ordinary reality begins to reflect and integrate with the inner world of the imagination that takes us into the nonordinary reality of the shaman. As Mark was able to welcome this experience with the birds, he was able to begin to create more fluidly and embrace his destiny without fear.

Both case examples illustrate how the entrainment between the therapist and client lead to a submersion into the depths of deeper consciousness, with new material and illumination emerging to the surface of awareness. This evolving model reflects a deeply heuristic process as therapist and client internally move together through stages of immersion, incubation, illumination, and explication as depicted in the heuristic model of Moustakas (1990). He described a heuristic psychotherapy model in which the therapist engages in silent, internal exploratory self-dialogue along with open dialogue with the client. In a transpersonal model, the client mirrors this process, engaging in self-exploration and internal dialogue, as well as dialogue with the therapist. It is within these deep internally focused spaces in the session that therapist and client submerge into the shared resonance.

This silent nonverbal dance becomes the heart of the therapy itself and the EMDR protocol is the container for that dance.

As with any therapeutic approach, ego fragmentation needs to be assessed, and good clinical judgment needs to be used to determine whether facilitating an experience of expanded awareness is appropriate for the client. As the client shifts to internal expanded awareness, the therapist must be attuned to the strength of the ego and the ability of the client to shift states effectively having awareness of both internal and external reality, and the ability to differentiate the two. The shift of states is not part of the standard EMDR protocol, and Shapiro (2001) has questioned whether this would impact on full reprocessing. However, transpersonal therapists using the EMDR protocol report seeing positive results and accelerated processing as the therapist tracks the flow of energy and information and stabilizes the field through their own attunement to a larger cosmic whole (Siegel, 2013).