The Final Girl Resource
The Final Girl Resource:
In their new podcast, aptly titled ‘Final Girls’, hosts Sarah and Kellie Hill (sisters by marriage) remind us: “Horror is not just about the killer. It’s about the ones who fight back. And live to tell the tale.”
And who could argue with this point? Yin and Yang. Light and dark. Life and death. One cannot exist without the other. And in horror, the creature, slasher, alien or demon cannot exist without the Final Girl (or occasionally boy) as their karmic partner.
The Final Girl is a character archetype that has existed, in one way or another, for as long as we’ve been watching scary movies. We know their names: Sally, Laurie, Nancy, Ripley and Sidney to name only a few of the most well-known. But they are legion. And in their own way they are as unstoppable, perhaps more so, than their villainous counterparts.
To unpack the symbolism and enduring power of the Final Girl is a task for another day. For now, we want to shift attention to how such a powerful symbol can be used not just as an academic tool, or a source of entertainment, but to encourage real psychological healing and resilience.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy, more commonly referred to as EMDR therapy, is a structured modality of healing that focuses upon the adaptive and maladaptive neural networks that we have created within our brains. For example, someone who has experienced a traumatic car accident may, quite understandably, develop a strong association between danger and automobiles. Their brains may take it even further and begin to create a neural network that connects driving with a belief that the person is not in control or a danger to themselves or others. EMDR therapy seeks to reprocess and reorganize these connections by helping the individual to separate them and allow for the building of newer and more adaptive connections. Through the use of EMDR they may still recognize the risks inherent with driving but instead learn to strengthen the connection to a belief that “I can keep myself safe” or “I can take care of myself.”
EMDR recognizes the power of imagery and internal experiences to influence our bodily sensations and our interactions with the people and world around us. To that end the therapy frequently utilizes a set of coping skills which are referred to as ‘resources’. These resources help individuals to shift into a regulated and more peaceful state of mind from which they can feel more empowered to manage distressing situations and also rethink old memories from a new perspective.
One of the common resources used in EMDR is that of the ‘Nurturing Figure’. This resource often encourages the individual to consider figures from their past who were supportive and loving. Or if those individuals did not exist for them to create imaginary figures or picture fictional characters that can play a similar role. The beauty of the brain and our human psychology is that imaginal scenes can be just as powerful as real experiences. Just ask anyone who can induce themselves to blush by imagining an embarrassing moment or make themselves cringe by picturing an imaginary injury. The same phenomenon can be utilized for supportive and healing images as well.
Enter our Final Girl. Many of us can empathize with what it is to feel powerless, scared and alone. Imagine being able to harness the strength and resilience of your favorite Final Girl from the horror genre and to invite them along in your daily struggles. A challenging meeting at work. A fight with a friend or loved one. Recovering from a traumatic injury or experience. The Final Girl is a powerful symbol of survival in the face of unimaginable fear and suffering. She is a resource we all would be well-served by invoking in times of personal struggle.
To assist you in exploring this process we have created a script to walk through building your own personal ‘Final Girl Resource’. The text is included below, but we’ve also recorded an audio version of the process to listen along to and allow you to fully focus on the internal experience of building this resource.
So find yourself a quiet place. Pop a copy of your favorite slasher into the VCR (yes, we’re old-school here!) and connect with your inner Final Girl. She is ready to fight alongside you against whatever dangers lurk in the night!
Script:
To begin, find a quiet and peaceful space where you will not be disturbed. You may sit in a chair or lie down. Whatever is most natural for you. Close your eyes if you are comfortable doing so. If you prefer to keep your eyes open, focus on a nearby wall or neutral surface and soften your gaze.
Take three slow and deep breaths. Let the air flow naturally through your body. Inhale through your nose, hold the breath for a moment and exhale through your mouth. Allow your breath to relax into a natural rhythm. Notice it, but do not try to control it.
Continue to breathe quietly while you bring your attention to your body. Just notice how your body feels. Notice where your body touches the surface you are sitting or lying on. If your feet are on the ground, notice them making contact with the floor. Notice where your body feels relaxed; Where it feels tense; Where there is discomfort. You don’t need to change anything. Just notice.
When you are ready, allow the image of your Final Girl to build in your mind. A specific and vivid picture may come immediately to mind, or you may only notice a general image, feeling or detail at this time. There is no wrong way to visualize. Notice what comes to you naturally.
Allow yourself to ponder the following questions. Speak your answers out loud or just consider them quietly. Whatever helps you to build the image in your mind. I will leave space after each question to allow time for your image to evolve:
Who is your Final Girl? Perhaps you imagine a specific person. Sydney, Nancy or Ripley may come to your mind. Or perhaps your Final Girl is an original character of your own creation. Remember that whoever you picture, they are a part of you.
What do they look like? Allow yourself to slowly notice the details that make your Final Girl stand out. Notice their body. Notice how they stand and how they move. Notice their face and their hair. Notice their clothing. Your Final Girl has survived many challenging trials and tribulations. How is this reflected in their appearance? Do they carry scars or wounds? Are they bruised or bloodied? Is their clothing torn?
What does your Final Girl carry? Do they possess a tool? A weapon? A symbol? An artifact? How has this item helped them to survive and persevere? Notice how they hold it. Allow yourself to imagine their grip; The strength in their grip; The connection they have to these tools.
Bring your attention to your Final Girl’s face and their expression. Notice the emotions that play out in their eyes and in how their mouth is set. What story does their face tell you? What does their face tell you about their past, their present and their future?
Now let yourself imagine how this Final Girl demonstrates their strength. How do they express their perseverance and their will to survive? Are they strong? Are they durable? Are they smart? Resourceful? Are they quick in body or mind? Do they have strong ties to friends, family or community?
Now allow yourself to imagine how your Final Girl protects you. Imagine yourselves together. Does she follow along behind you or take the lead? Does she lend you her tools? Does she advise you or warn you? Perhaps she can only commiserate in your shared survival and offer comfort in your lived experiences. Allow yourself to interact with her. Do you take her hand? Do you embrace? Do you laugh or cry together? Do you simply share the space and notice one another’s presence?
As you hold this image in your mind, bring your awareness back to yourself. What do you notice? Notice your body. Notice your breath. Notice your emotions and your thoughts. What has shifted? What have you noticed about yourself?
Remember that now that you have constructed your Final Girl, you may call on her at any time. She will always be available to you. Day or night. In waking or sleeping. In moments of peace or distress. Take several more slow and deep breaths and allow yourself to gradually come back to the present moment. Make a promise to revisit this figure in the future as often as you need.
Brian Finnerty, LPC
brian@welcomeconnections.com
Media & Notes:
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To learn more about EMDR Therapy check out the website for the EMDR International Association which includes educational information as well as directories to connect with certified mental health professionals.