132: When EMDR Targets Stop Making Sense [Beneath The Protocol Series]
One of the biggest frustrations EMDR clinicians face is the feeling that sessions aren't unfolding the way they were taught in basic training.
You identify a target.
You start processing.
And then everything shows up at once.
A memory from childhood.
An emotion in the present.
A fear about next week.
A moment of relief.
So what do you do?
In this episode of the Zero Disturbance Podcast, Kambria Evans explores why real trauma processing rarely follows a neat, linear path and why many clinicians feel stuck trying to force complex systems into rigid protocols.
You'll learn:
- Why trauma systems activate across past, present, and future simultaneously
- The limitations of target-focused processing
- Why activation is bigger than distress alone
- How positive, negative, and mixed states coexist in trauma work
- The difference between EMDR and The Zero Disturbance Systems Method
- How to know when EMDR is the right tool—and when it isn't
- Why forcing a target can actually slow down processing
- How to create more ease for both clinician and client
This conversation is especially valuable for EMDR therapists, Brainspotting therapists, ART therapists, and clinicians interested in brain-based therapy, nervous system healing, and complex trauma treatment.
If you need support navigating trauma processing we’ve created the space just for you. Join The Consultation Program today! Enroll here: https://www.zerodisturbance.com/consultation-2022
Come learn with us at Zero Disturbance:
Want to learn more about empowering yourself on your terms? If you appreciated this episode, here's more ways to learn with Kambria! https://www.zerodisturbance.com/workwithkambria
We also offer free resources for clients and therapists! Get access to our free client resource library for the most up-to-date tools and resources for your own journey.
Therapists, access our favorite free resources for designing high-value offers in The Zero Disturbance Welcome Bundle, https://www.zerodisturbance.com/free-resources
Note: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional therapy. If you’re experiencing difficulties, please seek guidance from a licensed mental health provider. All stories, examples, and characters shared are fictionalized or composite representations. Any resemblance to actual persons or situations is purely coincidental and intended solely for educational illustration.
With a Masters in Education from Vanderbilt, Kambria has been creating trainings and teaching adult learners for over 20 years. As the Director of Education and Quality Improvement at Stanford Medical School, she created ease in complex systems, thereby giving medical trainees successful learning experiences. Now, as a dedicated mom, therapist, and EMDR Consultant, Kambria knows what it means to do things efficiently, effectively, and in a learner-centered way. When she isn't podcasting or creating online courses, you can find Kambria playing with her twins on a beach in California.
