Applying eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to the treatment of traumatized children: Five case studies

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a recently developed psychotherapy method that appears to increase efficiency in treating traumatized psychological disturbance. Applications to child treatment were explored in five case studies of children suffering from post-traumatic symptoms several months after Hurricane Andrew. Subjects were treated with one or two EMDR sessions, until Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUDS) went to 0. Follow-up parent interviews at one and four weeks post-treatment found all subjects returning to pre-trauma levels of functioning, with additional improvement in some cases. Further study is recommended.

Journal

English

Ricky Greenwald

Greenwald, R. (1994, Winter). Applying eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to the treatment of traumatized children: Five case studies. Anxiety Disorders Practice Journal, 1(2), 83-97