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33: Dysfunctional Positive Affects: To Assist Clients With Unwanted Avoidance Defenses

DOI:

10.1891/9780826122452.0033

Authors

  • Knipe, Jim

Abstract

When working with ambivalence, it is helpful to identify the two or more sides of the ambivalence, such as the client who wants to work on a disturbing memory but is too afraid. Sometimes, if the client impulsively uses avoidance and is frustrated with her ambivalence, the most accessible point of entry into effectively using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to process a problem may be to target the feeling of relief associated with avoiding that problem. The procedures for unwanted avoidance defenses script notes were partially derived from Popky’s Desensitization of Triggers and Urge Reprocessing (DeTUR) Protocol for using EMDR to treat addictive behaviors. Usually, when this procedure is used, the level of urge to avoid (LoUA) scores will go down with continuing sets of bilateral stimulation (BLS), until the client spontaneously begins direct targeting of the memory or issue.