On the origin of eye movement desensitization

Francine Shapiro, the founder of eye movement desensitization therapy (EMD) claims to have serendipitously discovered this technique by experiencing spontaneous saccadic eye movements in response to disturbing thoughts during a walk in the woods. This explanation is difficult to accept because normal saccadic eye movements appear to be physiologically undetectable and are typically triggered by external stimuli. In the present limited study, all subjects failed to elicit any experience of eye movements, thus calling into question how best to interpret Dr. Shapiro's experience and the origin of EMD.

Journal

English

Gerald M. Rosen

Rosen, G. M. (1995, June). On the origin of eye movement desensitization. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 26(2), 121-122. doi:10.1016/0005-7916(95)00014-Q