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Presentation by Rachel Sykes and
Kylie Munise
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What is EMDR Therapy?
Clients focus on rapid eye movements or some other rhythmic
stimulation (e.g. tapping) while simultaneously imagining a
traumatic or troubling event.
Adaptive Information Processing model
(AIP): neural pathways in amygdala and
hippocampus store traumatic memories
that become trapped and do not integrate
with broader memory network (Neukrug, 2018)
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EMDR Founder: Francine Shapiro
EMDR was developed by Francine
Shapiro in 1987
“The seed of EMDR sprouted one
sunny afternoon in 1987, when I took
a break to ramble around a small
lake…” (Shapiro and Forrest, 1997,
pp 9-10)
(Neukrug, 2018)
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EMDR: Where is it used?
EMDR is primarily used in individual outpatient therapy
Various formats of EMDR
(Neukrug, 2018)
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EMDR: Eight Phases
Phase 1: Client History and Treatment Planning
Phase 2: Preparation
Phase 3: Assessment
Phase 4: Desensitization
Phase 5: Installation
Phase 6: Body Scan
Phase 7: Closure
Phase 8: Reevaluation
(Neukrug, 2018)
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EMDR: When is it used?
Originally for trauma survivors
PTSD, phobias, panic disorders
Now used to treat broader range of issues, including:
Dissociative disorders, performance anxiety, body dysmorphia,
pain disorder, personality disorders, depression, eating
disorders, attachment disorders, generalized anxiety,
addictions, couples therapy (EMDR Institute, 2017)
Early studies on adults; more recent research shows efficacy with
children
(Neukrug, 2018)
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EMDR: Why is it used?
Treatment outcomes:
Highly effective in few sessions
(e.g., three 90-minute sessions)
Research indicates
effectiveness with single-
trauma patients
(Neukrug, 2018)
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EMDR: Why is it used?
The evidence: Not clear why this works!
Possible explanations:
How memory gets stored during REM sleep?
Stimulates autonomic relaxation response?
Decreases vividness of disturbed memory?
Facilitates
catharsis of trauma embedded in our psyche
(psychodynamic)? Leads to healing?
Corebeliefs are maintained and new cognitions and behaviors help
people adopt new ways of living?
(Neukrug, 2018)
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EMDR: The research
Early studies focused on adults with PTSD
Case study of Vietnam War veterans and sexual assault survivors
confirmed high rate of success with reported symptom reduction,
new patient insights and reduction in fear (Lipke & Botkin, 1992)
Theorizes EMDR facilitates information processing like REM sleep
Study of EMDR treatment post 9/11 terror attacks found 50%-61%
decrease in anxiety, depression, and PTSD after 4-5 sessions (Silvers,
et. al., 2005)
Study found 70% reduction in PTSD symptoms after 3 sessions (Ironson,
Freund, Strauss & Williams, 2002)
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EMDR: The primary criticism
“Pseudoscience”
Critics have argued that eye movements have no effect
Positive response is due to sound cognitive-behavior
principles (Still & Dryden, 2004)
Lack of scientific studies with
explanatory power (Perkins &
Rouanzoin, 2002)
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EMDR Pros & Cons
Pros Cons
Effective in few Science is
treatments unsubstantiated
Efficacy supported by
research
Used in variety of
diagnoses
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EMDR: The takeaways
1. EMDR is highly effective in few sessions
Effectivewith trauma disorders and range of other presenting
conditions
2. Research supports approach
EMDR is an evidence-based practice
Academic literature focuses on testing efficacy on various
populations and outlining clinical methodology
Minimal research on underlying mechanisms
3. So, it works but we don’t really know why
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EMDR: Our impressions
Kylie
Rachel
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References
Ironson, G., Freund, B., Strauss, J. L., & Williams, J. (2002). Comparison of two treatments for traumatic stress: A
community-based study of EMDR and prolonged exposure. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 113–128.
Lilienfeld, S. O., Arkowitz, H. (2007). EMDR: Taking a closer look. Scientific American Special Edition, 17(4).
Lipke, H. J., Botkin, A. L. (1992). Case studies of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) with chronic
post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychotherapy, 29(4), 591-595).
Neukrug, E. Counseling Theory and Practice (2018). Belmont, CA: Cognella.
Perkins, B. R., Rouanzoin, C. C. (2002). A critical evaluation of current views regarding eye movement desensitization
and reprocessing (EMDR): Clarifying points of confusion. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58(1), 77-97.
Silver, S. M., Rogers, S., Knipe, J., Colelli, G. (2005). EMDR therapy following the 9/11 terrorist attacks: A community-
based intervention project in New York City. International Journal of Stress Management, 12 (1), 29-42.
Still, A., Dryden, W. (2004). The social psychology of “pseudoscience”: A brief history. Journal for the Theory of Social
Behaviour, 34(3), 265-290.
