A 20 year update of EMDR clinical applications: What is the depth and scope of treatment?

In 1989, the seminal randomized controlled study on EMD appeared in the Journal of Traumatic Stress. However, by the time the first trainings began in the US in 1990, the principles now known as the Adaptive Information Processing model were guiding the development of the procedures and protocols, which in 1991, were officially renamed EMDR. All participants in these early trainings and in the years following were introduced to the hypothesis that most pathology emerges from unprocessed memories of earlier life experiences (AKA “small t trauma”) and that targeting and processing these experiences could provide the basis of efficient and effective treatment outcomes. These predictions have been supported in the widespread use of EMDR. Consequently, we have much to learn from examining these treatment effects, starting with the first published report in 1991 of the elimination of a delusional state, through the myriad applications that have been reported to date. This presentation will review a variety of these clinical reports and explore their implications for current and future EMDR practice.

Conference

English

Francine Shapiro

Shapiro, F. (2009, August). A 20 year update of EMDR clinical applications: What is the depth and scope of treatment? Plenary at the 14th EMDR International Association Conference, Atlanta, GA