Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR Cognitions
Information handouts
EMDR Protocol (Standard)
Worksheets
EMDR Protocol (With Interweave Guidance)
Worksheets
Grounding Techniques
Exercises
Grounding Techniques Menu
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How Trauma Can Affect You (CYP)
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Intrusive Memory Record
Worksheets
Properties Of Trauma Memories
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Trauma And Dissociation
Guides
Types Of Dissociation
Information handouts
What Is EMDR? (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Information handouts
Information
Introduction
EMDR draws upon Shapiro’s model of ‘Adaptive Information Processing’ (AIP). This model proposes human beings process information, and that this information is stored in memory networks containing nodes for events, thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and so on. The AIP model proposes that following trauma memories can be stored in a dysfunctional ‘unprocessed’ way – in networks that are not connected with the bigger network. According to the AIP model the EMDR protocol is said to access the dysfunctionally stored information and to stimulate the adaptive processing of this information. The rationale is sometimes given that “human beings have the ability to overcome trauma and to process difficult events – EMDR facilitates this natural process”.
EMDR is an 8-phased approach. These phases are:
- Client history (including trauma(s) identification, risk assessment, dissociation, client goals)
- Preparation (including psychoeducation, safe place)
- Assessment (cross-sectional breakdown of the specific trauma memory on which you have chosen to work)
- Image
- Negative cognition
- Positive cognition
- Validity of cognition (VoC)
- Emotions
- Subjective units of distress (SUDS)
- Physical location of disturbance
- Desensitization (memory reprocessing)
- Installation (installation of positive cognition)
- Body scan (hold preferred belief in mind and scan the body “the body keeps the score”)
- Closure (of a complete or incomplete session)
- Re-evaluation
EMDR is a 3-pronged approach. It involves processing details of the past events that set the groundwork for the disturbance, processing the current situations that trigger distress, and processing what is needed for the future (future template / future rehearsal).
Protocols
- Blind to therapist (B2T) protocol – Blore, Holmshaw, Swift, Standart, Fish (2013) download archived copy
- Recent Traumatic Event Protocol (R-TEP) – Shapiro & Laub (2014) download archived copy
- B2T protocol clinician checklist download archived copy
- Desensitization of triggers and urge reprocessing (DeTur) – Popky (2007) download archived copy
- Flash Technique – Manfield, Lovett, Engel, Manfield (2017) archived copy
- Flashforward procedure – Logie & De Jongh (2014) download archive.org
- Feeling-state addiction protocol – Miller download archived copy
- Management of dysfucntional eating behaviors – Zaccagnino (2016) download archived copy
- Protocol for recent critical incidents (PRECI) and ongoing traumatic stress – Jarero & Artigas (2015) download archived copy
- Pain protocol – de Roos & Veenstra (2007) emdrextra.com archive.org
- Pain protocol – Maggie Phillips download archived copy
- Protocol for children and adolescents 0-18 download archived copy
- Resource development & installation protocol – Janina Fisher download archived copy
- Directed anger protocol | Herman Verbeek | 2019 download archived copy
Recent Traumatic Event Protocol (R-TEP) – Shapiro & Laub (2014)
- Protocol download archived copy
- Overview and handouts download archived copy
Intervention
- Light stream grounding technique download archived copy
- Deepening EMDR techniques: introduction to ego state work) | Carol Forgash download archived copy
- EMDR and dissociation download archived copy
- Internal Conference Room Ego-State Therapy and the Resolution of Double Binds: Preparing clients for EMDR trauma processing download archived copy
- The feeling state addiction protocol download archived copy
- Resource development and installation template download
- The EMDR Protocol for Recent Critical Incidents (EMDR-PRECI) and Ongoing Traumatic Stress download
- EMDR pain protocol download
Presentations
- Treating a vietnam vet with LOUA and CIPOS procedures – Jim Knipe download archived copy
- Loving eyes procedure – Jim Knipe download archived copy
- EMDR, complex trauma, and dissociative disorders – Alexandra Richman & Maeve Crowley download archived copy
- EMDR and dissociation – Ian Plágaro-Neill download archived copy
Videos
- APA Psychotherapy Case Video of EMDR by Francine Shapiro
- EMDR webinar by Francine Shapiro
- Interview of Francine Shapiro by Joany Spierings
- Working memory theory of EMDR youtube
Recommended Reading
- Forgash, C., & Knipe, J. (2012). Integrating EMDR and ego state treatment for clients with trauma disorders. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 6(3), 120-128. download archived copy
- Knox, K. (2002). Case application of EMDR in trauma work. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 2(1), 49-53 download archived copy
- Korn, D. L. (2009). EMDR and the treatment of complex PTSD: a review. Journal of EMDR Practice & Research, 3(4), 264-278 download archived copy
- Logie, R. D. J., & De Jongh, A. (2014). The “Flashforward procedure”: confronting the catastrophe. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 8(1), 25-32 download
- Shapiro, F., Maxfield, L. (2002). In the blink of an eye. The Psychologist, 15(3), 120-124 download archived copy
- Solomon, R. M., Shapiro, F. (2008). EMDR and the Adaptive Information Processing Model. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(4), 315 download archived copy
What Is Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing?
Assumptions of EMDR
The adaptive (or accelerated) information processing (AIP) model was developed to explain the results that EMDR achieves. EMDR and the AIP model assume that:
- human beings are physiological processors of information;
- information is stored in neurobiological memory networks (associative networks) containing memories, thoughts, images, emotions, and sensations;
- under normal circumstances people are capable of responding to and resolving disturbances (analogous to how the body recovers from physical injury);
- information is normally processed to an adaptive state whereby appropriate connections are made;
- pathology arises when information associated with traumatic events in not adequately processed (memories are stored in a dysfunctional format);
- most psychopathologies are based on early life experiences that result in a continued pattern of affect, behavior, cognitions, and subsequent identity structures;
- EMDR therapy helps to stimulate information processing by forging new connections between dysfunctionally held information and more adaptive information;
- eye movements or other bilateral stimulation help to stimulate adaptive information processing (EMDR appears to produce shifts in memories and the way that they are stored).
References
- Shapiro, F. (2017). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures(3rd ed.). New York: Guilford Press.