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Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an eight-phase therapeutic approach that facilitates the resolution of distressing experiences (often traumatic memories). It integrates psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, experiential, and somatic components (Shapiro, 2017). EMDR was originally developed as a treatment for processing traumatic memories in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and there is increasing evidence that it can be an effective intervention in other conditions where intrusive memories or dysfunctionally stored information are believe to be causal factors in pathology. Read more
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EMDR Cognitions

EMDR Cognitions

The standard protocol in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) requires the identification of a target image and a negative cognition. ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/emdr-cognitions

Information handouts

EMDR Protocol (Standard)

EMDR Protocol (Standard)

The standard protocol in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) outlines information required to start processing and identifies a seque ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/emdr-protocol-standard

Worksheets

EMDR Protocol (With Interweave Guidance)

EMDR Protocol (With Interweave Guidance)

Cognitive interweaves are commonly used in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to 'unblock' processing which has become 'stuck'. This ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/emdr-protocol-with-interweave-guidance

Worksheets

Grounding Techniques

Grounding Techniques

Individuals who have experienced trama often find it difficult to stay within the 'window of tolerance'. Grounding techniques (which can be sensory/pe ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/grounding-techniques

Exercises

Grounding Techniques Menu

Grounding Techniques Menu

Dissociation can be described as a shift of a person’s attention away from the present moment. When working with traumatized clients, this shift oft ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/grounding-techniques-menu

Information handouts

How Trauma Can Affect You (CYP)

How Trauma Can Affect You (CYP)

Trauma can result in a wide variety of symptoms, experiences, and behaviors. As well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), prevalence rates of oth ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/how-trauma-can-affect-you-cyp

Information handouts

Intrusive Memory Record

Intrusive Memory Record

Intrusive (unwanted, involuntary) memories are a common feature of PTSD, but also depression and other conditions. This Intrusive Memory Record is des ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/intrusive-memory-record

Worksheets

Properties Of Trauma Memories

Properties Of Trauma Memories

Important properties of trauma memories include involuntary recall, 'nowness', vividness, and immutability. People who have experienced trauma report ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/properties-of-trauma-memories

Information handouts

Trauma And Dissociation

Trauma And Dissociation

Trauma and Dissociation is a guide written for clients who have experienced trauma and who are troubled by dissociation. It provides clear informatio ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/trauma-and-dissociation

Guides

Types Of Dissociation

Types Of Dissociation

The Types Of Dissociation information handout is designed for clients who have experienced trauma and describes dissociation using accessible terminol ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/types-of-dissociation

Information handouts

What Is EMDR? (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

What Is EMDR? (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based treatment for trauma. Its theoretical basis is described by the adaptive inf ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/what-is-emdr

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:

  1. Client history (including trauma(s) identification, risk assessment, dissociation, client goals)
  2. Preparation (including psychoeducation, safe place)
  3. 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
  4. Desensitization (memory reprocessing)
  5. Installation (installation of positive cognition)
  6. Body scan (hold preferred belief in mind and scan the body “the body keeps the score”)
  7. Closure (of a complete or incomplete session)
  8. 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

Recent Traumatic Event Protocol (R-TEP) – Shapiro & Laub (2014)

Intervention

Presentations

Videos

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.

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