Have you ever understood why you react the way that you do but struggled to change your response? You know that your childhood is over but conflict still leave you feeling unsafe and you find yourself feeling 9 years old in certain conflicts, the same age that significant trauma happened. That was 20 years ago, it was in the past, and the body is struggling to catch up.
Maybe you even recognize that your child’s behavior isn’t dangerous, but your reaction feels like something tender is being triggered, it is definitely “over the top” with an intensity that surprises you.
Many of my clients have spent year reflecting on their past, trying to connect the dots, learning coping strategies—some even have insight about this; similar patterns in relationships, parenting and their faith continue to show up.
Understanding your story matters, but understanding your story isn’t enough. You have to believe that these stories are in the past and you have lived through them. Below, I will talk about reasons I am drawn to Lifespan Integration as an approach to trauma processing, this reflects my personal preference and clinical rationale; however, I am not claiming LI is more effective than other trauma treatments.
What Is Lifespan Integration?
LI is a therapeutic approach developed by Peggy Pace from her understanding of EMDR and how if didn’t “fit” certain clients. Lifespan integration’s protocols use memory cues of a client’s life, organized from birth-present within a therapeutic relationship. LI aims to help a client develop a more coherent sense of self, connecting past experiences with present day reactions. Lifespan integration doesn’t just focus on one distressing event, rather considers experiences across an individual’s entire life. LI helps a client recognize events that are in the past and allows them to live in the present. I like to think about LI as untangling memories (neural networks) that are getting tangled in present day interactions. As timeline work proceeds, a client can make more sense of their story, untangling the details and past reactions from present day responses.
Lifespan integration addresses attachment related patterns; expectations about connection, safety and belonging in ways I haven’t experienced in other therapeutic modalities. Using the strength of the therapeutic relationship, a therapist’s attunement, and eventually a client’s more stable relationship with themselves; lifespan integration helps heal more insecure attachment patterns, offering hope, redemption and renewal in old relationship patterns, even those which were most formative to a client growing up.
Why LI Instead of EMDR?
Lifespan Integration is NOT universally better than EMDR. EMDR is an established, evidence supported trauma-focused psychotherapy for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). Major studies have identified EMDR as an effective treatment option for PTSD. I agree. I have had much success with clients and EMDR.
EMDR is also a bottom-up approach to therapy that is structured—much like Lifespan Integration. The difference is that EMDR uses bilateral stimulation (Left and Right brain activation) in various non-invasive methods (eye movements or tapping) to bring attention to aspects of a distressing memory, associated beliefs, and body sensations. Stimulus with Lifespan integration is a client’s timeline instead of bilateral stimulation.
Additionally: LI and EMDR have different structures and emphases. LI emphasizes integrating experiences across a lifespan to help a client understand and untangle present day responses, reactions, and relational patterns. EMDR focuses directly on selected distressing memories and fits more classic PTSD or a stress response. Not all clients respond to both in the same way.
Again, the research base for EMDR and LI is an important distinction. EMDR has a substantially larger and more established evidence base for PTSD than LI. Research on LI is comparatively limited, and claims about its effectiveness should be stated cautiously. A treatment may have a coherent theory, experienced practitioners, and positive client reports without having the same level of independent research support as EMDR.
How do a choose between LI and EMDR with a client in session?
Both approaches require thoughtful assessment, preparation, attention to safety, and ongoing evaluation. Both LI and EMDR are bottom-up with focus on survival instincts, sympathetic and autonomic nervous system awareness. Clients all start therapy with some understanding of their body, activation, grounding and resourcing from others or internally.
As a mental health therapist with 15 years of experience, I take all of this into account as I decide where to begin with a client. I have learned so much from BOTH modalities. I DO NOT need a complete autobiographical narrative of a client to start offering him/her support and relief from their symptoms.
And to Christian mothers….
You can pursue trauma therapy while remaining deeply connected to your Christian faith.
This does NOT erase story but allows God to use it for good (Romans 8:28)
Faith and psychological healing don’t have to compete. Both LI and EMDR deeply value a client’s story and utilize neuroscience to help a client rewire old patterns and framework keeping the client STUCK. This does NOT erase story but allows God to use it for good (Romans 8:28). Ultimately, the hope is that, over time, your past will be less disruptive in your present—you can recognize what is happening, respond with greater flexibility, and experience more freedom in your relationships.
You don’t have to untangle it alone.
~grace for the journey, healing at the root.