Had my second appointment with the psychologist today. While the first appt was more about getting to know me, this one was about preparing for EMDR Therapy. She had me choose and draw a place I felt was safe. It didn’t have to be real, it could’ve been a place made up and imagined. However, I chose our old family cabin that sits on an ocean front. I wasn’t really being completely honest because I’ve a several not so nice memories of things that transpired there when I was a kid. But nevertheless, I chose it because I’ve also the fondest memories of my kids loving our time there. Make sense?
Then she had me pick someone I thought was nurturing, someone protective and someone supportive. And again, these people could’ve been made up, it didn’t matter. She had me do a few exercises, like EFT tapping and a breathing exercise called the square, where you inhale for 5, hold for 5, exhale for 5 and rest for 5, before doing it again.
She’s asked me to write out a timeline of my life … how the hell do I do that?! Where do I start and how do I label events? Do I just put a date and what happened or just label it as a healthy or unhealthy time in my life? She said I didn’t have to provide details and to include positive experiences as well. I have no idea where to begin … any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Timeline should start with a memory, date, estimated age, and then a timeline for every maybe major moment you can think of?