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
11 of 11 resources
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)
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)
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
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
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)
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 (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
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 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
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)
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
Links to external resources
Psychology Tools makes every effort to check external links and review their content. However, we are not responsible for the quality or content of external links and cannot guarantee that these links will work all of the time.
Information (Professional)
- Deepening EMDR techniques: introduction to ego state work) | Carol Forgash
- Resource development and installation template | Andrew Leeds | 2004
- EMDR standard procedure worksheet
Protocols
- Blind-To-Therapist (B2T) Protocol | Blore, Holmshaw, Swift, Standart, Fish | 2013
- Recent Traumatic Event Protocol (R-TEP) – Shapiro & Laub (2014)
- Blind-To-Therapist (B2T) Protocol - Clinician Checklist | David Blore | 2016
- Desensitization Of Triggers And Urge Reprocessing (DeTur) | Popky | 2007
- Flash Technique – Manfield, Lovett, Engel, Manfield (2017)
- Flashforward procedure – Logie & De Jongh (2014) archive.org
- Feeling-State Addiction Protocol | Miller | 2016
- Management of dysfucntional eating behaviors – Zaccagnino (2016)
- Protocol for recent critical incidents (PRECI) and ongoing traumatic stress – Jarero & Artigas (2015)
- Pain protocol – Maggie Phillips
- Protocol for children and adolescents 0-18
- Resource development & installation protocol – Janina Fisher
- Directed anger protocol | Herman Verbeek | 2019
- The Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP) | Shapiro, Laub
- Overview and handouts
- Light stream grounding technique | Shapiro | 2001
- Internal Conference Room Ego-State Therapy and the Resolution of Double Binds: Preparing clients for EMDR trauma processing | Schmidt | 1998
- The feeling state addiction protocol
- The EMDR Protocol for Recent Critical Incidents (EMDR-PRECI) and Ongoing Traumatic Stress | Jarero, Artigas | 2015
- EMDR Pain Protocol | de Roos, Veenstra | 2007
- EMDR early intervention researchers toolkit | EMDR Research Foundation | 2015
- EMDR in obsessive-compulsive disorder | Karsten Böhm | 2019
- EMDR group traumatic episode protocol (G-TEP) manual (7th edition) | Elan Shapiro, Judy Moench | 2018
- Pocket guide to early EMDR intervention protocols | Beverly Laidlaw Chasse | 2018
- Pain protocol | Mark Grant
- EMDR protocol for ego state work | Nick Arrizza | 1998
Presentations
- EMDR and Dissociation | Ian Plágaro-Neill
- Treating a Vietnam vet with LOUA and CIPOS procedures | Jim Knipe
- Loving eyes procedure | Jim Knipe
- EMDR, complex trauma, and dissociative disorders | Alexandra Richman & Maeve Crowley
- EMDR and dissociation | Ian Plágaro-Neill
Video
- 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 | Centrum voor Psychotherapie en Psychotrauma
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.
- Knox, K. (2002). Case application of EMDR in trauma work. Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention, 2(1), 49-53
- Korn, D. L. (2009). EMDR and the treatment of complex PTSD: a review. Journal of EMDR Practice & Research, 3(4), 264-278
- Logie, R. D. J., & De Jongh, A. (2014). The “Flashforward procedure”: confronting the catastrophe. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 8(1), 25-32
- Shapiro, F., Maxfield, L. (2002). In the blink of an eye. The Psychologist, 15(3), 120-124
- Solomon, R. M., Shapiro, F. (2008). EMDR and the Adaptive Information Processing Model. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(4), 315
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.