Eye Movement: Desensitization and Reprocessing

There are many events in a person’s life that can be considered traumatic. Trauma can be easily described as a distressing experience caused by an event or physical injury. The symptoms that follow a traumatic event can include disassociation, hyperarousal, and avoidance. Some people choose to cope with their symptoms in many different ways such as substance abuse, medication, and/or therapy. When working with trauma there are many diverse forms of treatment. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing [EMDR] is one form of treatment that appears to be effective.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a treatment used in psychotherapy to alleviate distress associated with trauma (Shapiro, 1991). During EMDR clients reprocess information while focusing on external stimuli such as, lateral eye movements, hand tapping, and audio stimulation. Francine Shapiro developed EMDR in 1987 after discovering that eye movements had a desensitizing effect on herslef, and also after experimenting she found that others also had the same response to eye movements.
In 1987, Shapiro named this approach to treatment Eye Movement Desensitization. A case study was conducted to test the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization. The results indicated there was a significant decrease in distress and increase in confidence in positivity (EMDR Institute, 2012). When this treatment was first discovered it was reported it serves to decrease anxiety and did not claim to eliminate all posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Gaining feedback from clients and clinicians this treatment continued to develop. In 1991 reprocessing was added to eye movement desensitization creating EMDR. Adding reprocessing was to reflect the insights and cognitive changes that occurred during treatment and to identify the information processing theory (that Shapiro developed) to explain the treatment effects (2012). In 1995 the EMDR International Association was founded to establish standards for

References: Cahill, S. (1999). Does EMDR Work? And if so, Why?:: A Critical Review of Controlled Outcome and Dismantling Research Chambless, D.L.. Baker, M.J., Baucom, D.H., Beuder, L.E., Calhoun, K.S., et al (1998). Update On Empirically Validated Therapies Chemtob, C.M., Tollin, D.F., Van Der Kolk, B.A., & Pittman R.K (2000). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing EMDR Institute (2012). General Information: What is EMDR? Retrieved from http://www.emdr.com/general-information/what-is-emdr.html Maxfield, L eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Journal of Anxiety Disorders Shalev, A.Y., Friedman, M.J., Foa, E.B., & Keane, T (2000) Shapiro, F. (1989). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories Shapiro, F (2001). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures 2nd edition Shapiro, F (1991). Eye Movement Desensitization and reprocessing procedure from EMD to EMD/R a new treatment model for anxiety and related trauma