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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a tool used in certain forms of psychotherapy that intends to relieve the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), and other mental health problems using (in its original form) only eye movements similar to those which occur naturally in REM sleep.
Description EMDR was developed by American psychologist Francine Shapiro, PhD in 1987 after she observed, during a walk in a park, that moving her eyes seemed to reduce the stress of disturbing memories. Based on these initial observations she conducted further research and published a paper in 1989 describing beneficial results in a number of case studies. Shapiro attended San Diego's Professional School for Psychological Studies, a now-defunct, then-unaccredited school. Dr. Shapiro has been given an award for Distinguished Scientific Achievement in Psychology by the California Psychological Association and in 2002 the International Sigmund Freud Award for Psychotherapy presented by the City of Vienna in conjunction with the World Council for Psychotherapy. The therapy originally consisted of the patient being guided by the therapist in moving their eyes in a systematic way whilst recalling troubling memories. Through this process of re-experiencing such memories, patients were able to resolve them more effectively. However, the process is not as simple as it seems and a careful therapeutic framework is constructed around the therapy. The departure from conventional psychotherapeutic techniques in terms of patient-therapist interaction and claimed speed of results led to initial skepticism in the psychotherapeutic and psychiatric establishment. However, many studies have concluded that it is as effective as other treatments for PTSD. There are also studies indicating effectiveness for specific phobias, c.f. De Jong et. al. for Dental and other phobias. The long-term effects are still under study (such as well-practiced cognitive behavior therapy; e.g., Devilly & Spence, 1999; Taylor et al., 2004). Later developments have removed the focus on the eyes and used a number of other bilateral stimuli such as sound and touch, or dual attention stimuli to bring about the effect. Its use has also been extended to include a wide range of conditions. The technique has been substantiated through repeated studies and meta-analyses. (Devilly & Spence, 1999). EMDR has been used on children to treat a variety of conditions (Tinker & Wilson, 1999, and Greenwall, 1999). It has been used in the treatment of children who have experienced trauma and complex trauma (Tinker & Wilson, 1999; Greenwald, 1999). It is often cited as a component in the treatment of Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (Briere & Scott, 2006), emotional dysregulation, and in the treatment of children exposed to chronic early maltreatment that is related to Attachment disorder. It is recognised by the UK National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidelines as a treatment for PTSD. See also Supporting EMDR Critical of EMDR Other | ||||||||
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