The Two-Minute Treatment series is for people who are too busy and need help now. As with all treatments, if you need to, please take time to research the links before just jumping in. If you don’t need lots of footnotes and “science,” just go for it; this stuff works for me or I wouldn’t share it with you.
For most of us, traumatic memories are a part of being human – it’s how we deal with them that sets us apart. So, with traumatic memories, are you a victim or a victor? The choice is yours.
Bi-lateral stimulation and trauma release
While many modalities have a measurable positive impact (in the 15-20% range) on traumatic memories, Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is currently one of the most effective, with results in the 80-90% range. Some patients even claim to be cured of PTSD.
Science hasn’t yet explained how EMDR works, but therapists that use it and their patients have great results.
You can self-administer this modality using “8D music” on YouTube here. Wear headphones for the best effect. As the music orbits around you, it will create the bilateral stimulation needed for EMDR work. That’s the environment.
How to
To use the environment, find a safe place where you won’t be disturbed for a couple of minutes. Listen to the music with your headphones and bring a traumatic memory into consciousness. Allow yourself to feel the full range of emotions in that memory. Without speaking, simply focus your presence on the feelings and associated thoughts.
Repeat this as often as you like. You will probably notice the negative emotion in the traumatic memory begins to lessen quickly. You may also find tension and distress leaving your body.
Enjoy!
Summary: the two-minute treatment for traumatic memories
- Headphones
- YouTube this channel
- Let that music play while you recall the traumatic memory – on purpose!
- Allow yourself to feel deeply and let your thoughts flow
- After two minutes, stop and check in with yourself: how do you feel now?
- Repeat as you like
There’s more help here or here.
Ready for a deeper dive? The Music Care Quest, a fully-mentored online active-learning experience will immerse you in practical ways to meet life’s challenges with skills you may not realize you already have. It’s not for everybody, but you are that unique individual who really resonates with with the power of music and wants to learn to wield it with skill, give it a try. The landing page is here.
The Two-Minute Treatment: Traumatic Memories
