Se-REM
A self-help audio programme developed by David Busch to help you heal from symptoms of PTSD
What is Se-REM?
Se-REM stands for Self-Effective Rapid Eye Movement. It is an hour-long self-help audio program aimed at helping people heal from trauma. David Busch explains that it uses bilateral stimulation to create a state that is similar to Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep.
During REM sleep, our brains process and resolve the trauma we experience. REM sleep is also known as paradoxical sleep or active sleep because it’s very close to being awake. Matthew Walker, Founder and Director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California Berkeley says it helps us removes the emotional charge attached to our memories and “acts like therapy” to help us make meaning and identify solutions to problems we’re facing.
By day-dreaming in a state akin to REM, we can actively direct our brains to work on resolving the traumatic experiences that we are struggling to resolve at night. This is one theory about what happens during Eye Movement De-sensitisation and Re-processing therapy (EMDR) a common treatment for trauma. In EMDR, the brain learns that it doesn’t need to hold on to old messages about fear, sadness, shame and anger anymore as the old danger is no longer a threat.
EMDR is most commonly offered by therapists encouraging you to focus on eye-movements but other forms of bilateral stimulation such as tapping alternate sides of the body or listening to sound in alternate ears has also been proven to be effective. This brief video explains how EMDR works:
Who developed it?
Se-REM was developed by retired psychotherapist David Busch. David developed it incorporating his extensive experience of working with people on resolving their trauma over the course of his 40 year career using EMDR.
David has kindly given permission for this audio-programme to be shared freely as his mission is to help alleviate the distress of as many people as possible who are struggling with a history of trauma.
You can find out more about the programme on David’s website here. If you can afford to pay a small fee, please buy it from there as it’s in a good cause. If you can’t afford to, you are very welcome to download it from the link further down this page.
I recently interviewed David for the
Podcast about this programme.You can listen to the podcast here
Or watch it here or read it here
What kind of problems is Se-REM most effective with?
Any kind of post-traumatic stress disorder including that arising from combat stress, physical or sexual abuse, road traffic accidents, sexual betrayal. It can also alleviate symptoms of psychological distress including anxiety and panic attacks, nightmares and insomnia, phobias, obsessive rumination and rage.
It is not effective for treating childhood neglect, addictive behaviours, depression, communication issues or brain injury.
How is it used?
Before you listen to the programme, think about a traumatic memory or situation you would like to make less painful.
You need to be sat upright but comfortable. If you lay down, you are more likely to fall asleep and the programme won’t be effective.
You need to listen to the programme wearing a pair of headphones. The programme won’t work if you don’t use headphones as it uses bilateral sound stimulation. The sound fluctuates from ear to ear.
You can listen to the programme as little or as often as you like.
Your brain will continue to process the memory during sleep that night.
For some people, their problems will be alleviated without needing psychological support. For others, especially where there is a missing experience eg lack of comfort or validation following their trauma, they may still need psychological therapy. However, the amount of time needed in therapy is often reduced.
FAQ
What is REM?
Rapid Eye Movement is a Dream stage of Sleep.
How does Se-REM create a REM state in the brain?
It uses classical music and guided imagery recorded on different audio channels so the sound alternates back and forth from ear to ear.
Can I listen to it on my stereo?
It will play on a stereo but it will have little to no benefit. It must be listened to with earphones or earbuds to create a REM brain state.
Do I direct my brain to have images or just sit back and watch what happens?
You can do both. Se-REM allows you to explore what is in your brain.
Why did I just think of all positive things while doing Se-REM?
The most common coping mechanism in children is Avoidance. If this is still a major way you deal with hurt, it will be necessary for you to direct your brain to have these images. Se-REM will only help you if you revisit the hurtful experiences.
What do I do with the fear and dread I have about going back to my traumatic experience? Se-REM begins with a relaxation exercise that is mildly hypnotic. You will be very relaxed. Even though you may feel strong emotion revisiting the trauma, you will also know you are completely safe.
Why do I go right to sleep when I use Se-REM?
If your coping mechanism is Avoidance, going to sleep is a way to not face the hurt. Try doing Se-REM when you are not tired
I am afraid of revisiting my past trauma. Is there a chance that this will overwhelm me? Some people feel immediate relief after one session. Others will need several sessions. When you do Se-REM the first night your brain will likely continue to do therapeutic work during REM dreaming. Most people wake up feeling better than they have in a long time. While people experience strong emotion, no one has been overwhelmed.
Is there a limit on how often I can do Se-REM?
No. It can be done every day or once a week. It is completely up to you. Some people can only do 15 minutes at a time, of dealing with their hurt. Others have done the program twice in a row.
I did Se-REM 3 times and the first 2 were very emotional with a huge release, but the 3rd time this didn’t happen. Why?
You were successful in processing and dissolving the traumatic emotion in your brain. The 3rd time you went looking for it and it was gone.
I don’t have visual images or pictures connected to my trauma, just obsessive thoughts that I can’t stop thinking about. Can Se-REM help me stop this?
Yes. There are 2 ways to use Se-REM. The first way is sitting and daydreaming. This is for trauma that has a visual component. When your trauma is largely cognitive, such as spousal infidelity, use Se-REM the 2ndway. Skip tracks 1 & 2 (the directions for use and the relaxation exercise) and go straight to the music. Go for a walk and do your obsessive thinking while your brain is being stimulated and your obsessive thoughts will be much reduced. When your brain is stimulated the processing happens on a deeper level and the brain accomplishes what it is trying to do.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a therapy developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987. It is at the heart of Se-REM. Both rely on Bi-lateral Stimulation to help the brain make changes.
How does Se-REM work? It is only when the brain is in an REM state that the whole brain is in communication with all of its parts. When the whole brain is working, it is much more effective at dissolving traumatic emotion.
Would Se-REM work on my hurt and anger at my Boss?
Mostly no. Se-REM works on traumatic emotions that are in the past. A part of the brain that functions to sort out the past from present events gets confused by a traumatic event. Se-REM helps this brain function to relegate a past event as no longer relevant – and a person can just let it go.
Does it work on Grief?
Yes. Just daydream your important experiences with that person. You may have a short intense grief but then it will be sorted into the past.
Will Se-REM affect my memories?
No, your emotions will diminish but your memories will remain. Se-REM may increase your ability to visualize with your eyes closed, and you may recall memories that you had forgotten.
Will Se-REM work on any trauma?
Yes, as long as it is in the past.
What music is used in Se-REM?
Debussy to create calm, Bach to help you be inside your mind, Vaughn Williams and Vivaldi to encourage and inspire.
How is Se-REM better than regular EMDR?
Se-REM can be done over and over at the person’s own convenience, no appointment necessary. In the privacy of one’s own home, with no one else there, people are less self-conscious and go deeper into their emotions. Also, it is by far the most cost-effective therapy.
You can read testimonials about the programme by visiting David Busch’s Se-REM website here
You can find the track here:
Feel free to share this resource with others.
If you think you might like the chance to talk with someone about any trauma you’ve experienced, or find this programme doesn’t work for you, please get in touch for a free consultation
