Wikipedia states that: “Interpersonal relationships are dynamic systems that change continuously during their existence. Like living organisms, relationships have a beginning, a lifespan, and an end. They tend to grow and improve gradually, as people get to know each other and become closer emotionally, or they gradually deteriorate as people drift apart, move on with their lives and form new relationships with others” .http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interpersonal_relationship
Relationships with loved ones can fluctuate and change over the course of a lifetime as well. With EMDR, relationships that have been overshadowed by emotional and psychological trauma, abuse or misunderstanding can be processed and healed in a productive and positive way. One young lady remarked: “…However, I wanted to tell you that our last appointment was amazing! I am so looking forward to doing more therapy! I have not been super sensitive like I was the day before and was able to talk to my sister differently. That one session was really powerful!”
With a few sessions utilizing EMDR treatment techniques, there were major changes in her reactivity and responses to those around her. She noticed:
“Also, I should tell you that I had another situation come up since our last meeting. Two of my friends became upset with me (they are a couple) for not spending enough time with them while home. Anyway, they got a bit ridiculous because they were feeling hurt so we had been engaging in conversations to try to better understand one another. However, at one point in my conversation with each of them, they both became pretty triggered (I think by some of their own stuff..???) but got pretty rude and disrespectful to me. My point in all of this is that I was able to respond to both of them in a pretty clear, assertive way where I was able to stay connected to who I am as a person and a friend. This is a big shift for me. I often go into doubting myself or feeling like I did something wrong and let guilt take over. But I didn’t even go there! So, after I responded that way, both were able to redirect and we worked things out. Just another sign for me that things shifted with those few EMDR sessions!