VIRTUAL EMDR BLOG

How EMDR Therapy Helped Me Swim With Great White Sharks


24 Aug 2018

Tag: Fear , Phobia

Blog image

Before I went through a series of EMDR Therapy Sessions, I was absolutely terrified of flying on a plane. I had not set foot on one in more than 11 years, and just the thought of being onboard while being launched into the sky gave me chest pain.

There’s no way I would get on a plane for a short two-hour domestic flight, much less fly across the entire globe (a grueling 20+ hours) to New Zealand.

But that’s exactly what I did. And it was EMDR Eye Movement Therapy Sessions that helped me get past a series of fears and phobias that were in the way of me living a richer life.



THE PHOTO ABOVE
The photo of the shark at the top of this blog post was taken by me 100% by accident. I had my camera in my hand and was watching out in front of me for the perfect shot.

*Little did I know that a curious male Great White would slam into the cage on my left.*

I somehow had the wherewithal to hold down the shoot button on my camera and point it at the shark. I got about six pictures. This was the only one that came out.

You can see that the shark is covered in scars from brawling with other Great Whites.  



HOW EMDR HELPED
Through doing EMDR Sessions, initially with a therapist and later my own, I learned that most of my fears were interconnected. The Fear of Flying was the same as the Fear of Heights and even the Phobia about sharks and water. Once I started using EMDR to work through one of them, I found I was moving through the others as well.

VIDEO
That day we saw 6 great whites. They were all males because the larger females migrate that time of year which was January Summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

The water was absolutely freezing so we had to wear wet suits, gloves, and pull-over protective hoods. Even with all that gear, I came out of the water shaking uncontrollably.


WHAT IS EMDR?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a type of therapy used all over the world. It was initially discovered in the 1980s and was at first used on military vets suffering through PTSD.

This website, Virtual EMDR, offers at-home online EMDR Sessions. If you want to try it out, Virtual EMDR has a 100% free basic version. You can sign up at the bottom right of the page.

WHAT CAN IT BE USED FOR? 
  1. -Symptoms of Trauma and PTSD
  2. -Reducing Grieving time after a Loss
  3. -Fears, Phobias and Anxiety
  4. -Depression, Anger, Unwanted Emotions
  5. -EMDR Addictions Program

View Comments

Marita · 07 Sep 2018

C'est qu'ils sont des gens qui ne raisonnent point.

Shannon · 07 Sep 2018

This comment has been removed by an administrator.

Shannon · 07 Sep 2018

This comment has been removed by an administrator.

Chanel · 07 Sep 2018

each time i used to read smaller posts that also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this article which I am reading at this place.

Erwin · 08 Sep 2018

This comment has been removed by an administrator.

Kristy · 08 Sep 2018

Great article.

Darren · 08 Sep 2018

This comment has been removed by an administrator.

Darren · 08 Sep 2018

This comment has been removed by an administrator.

Muhammad · 08 Sep 2018

This comment has been removed by an administrator.

Christa Grant · 16 Jan 2020

I'm was a sexually slavery as a child. Sold at 14 for $2000 to a man who i was forced to married at 16. I got away but the abuse of my family follow me everywhere. I had untreated Complex ptsd. Then i got into therapist who showed me EMDR. I work on so much. But she left the small town i live in. No one would take my insurance so more help. I started Google's EMDR online. Virtual EMDR. My life is so full. I dont have to look over my shoulder anyone. I dont have to have my back against the wall and watching door and windows for exits. This what i thought everyone lived like.

Reply

Virtual EMDR · 18 Feb 2020

Hi Christa - Thanks so much for sharing your story! So thrilled to hear that you have been able to get over your childhood trauma and that your life is now what you deserve. Congratulations on taking that important step towards healing! May the light of strength and positivity always shine on you. Good luck!

Reply

Thulani Dzete · 18 Jun 2020

I'm leaving in South Africa how can l be EMDR as well,,, is it possible become I'm going through social phobia issue

Reply

Add Your Comment

Related Blogs

Blog Image

University Study: EMDR Therapy Key to Addiction Sobriety

A recent scientific study reported that alcohol-addicted patients who received EMDR treatment had higher levels of sobriety six months out than those who did not.

Read more
Blog Image

Deepak Chopra Lists 4 Life-Limiting Questions to Stop Asking Yourself

Personal growth guru Deepak Chopra explains how constantly asking yourself these 4 negative questions may be responsible for draining the joy out of your daily life.

Read more
Blog Image

10 Ways to Be Happier and Live a Better Life

Happiness is how we feel about the day-to-day things, such as feeling connected with those close to you. Here are 10 tips from Eckhardt Tolle for experiencing genuine happiness.

Read more
Blog Image

3 Short Self-Tests on Depression, Anxiety, PTSD

Are you depressed? Do you have chronic anxiety? Suffer from PTSD? These three 1-minute  self-tests on Depression, Anxiety and PTSD can tell you if you do.

Read more