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Continuing on the springboard of the Looking Through the Eyes - Ego State Course (EMDR-101), this module discussed why and how one fractionates an abreactive process for highly structurally dissociative clients. (Fractionating processing for trauma in the first years of life is discussed in the modules on Temporal Integration.) In this approach one plans carefully, never surprised when the plans will go awry, because planning benefits the system anyway.

Fractionation maybe along the dimensions of BASK elements (Braun, 1984), or by age, or by fraction of time, etc. Preliminary steps include obtaining consent from the “honchos” and other aspects of the self-system, planning roles, deciding who will be the star (hint: perpetrator introject is the ideal first star), educating client to inoculate against overwhelm if one taps into annihilation terror, and other dual attention strategies (e.g., Eymo).

The module extends upon the ARCHITECTS acronym and approach offered by Paulsen (2009). Metacognitions are offered as an interim strategy when PCs won’t yet stick during incomplete sessions. Hypnotic suggestions for after session interventions for deep healing sleep or other hypnotic maneuvers can be helpful. Headaches during process indicate loyalty to the aggressor. For many, a bottom-up integration using Temporal Integration as described in the next modules is a gentler approach because Big T traumas may have started in the attachment period (Barach, 1991). The therapist may be the recipient of unconscious dynamics accessed before, during, and after processing.