Integration of hypnotic therapy with EMDR for the treatment of panic disorder: Report of twelve single case studies

The author describes a special protocol she designed for the psychotherapy of Panic Disorders based upon a precise integration of Ericksonian hypnotic techniques with EMDR. This symposium presentation reports on the results of twelve completed singles cases and four in which treatment will still be ongoing at the time of the conference. This therapy approach is based upon the standard EMDR protocol and it eight phases of treatment. However, a noteworthy aspect of this intervention is the comprehensive management of the panic episodes themselves. This protocol assists the client in learning to cope with all the symptomology related to panic attacks, that is, the physiological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects. The first panic attach is considered the primary traumatic event. From this beginning point, the client is taught to face, step by step, the subsequent panic attacks utilizing both hynotherapeutic strategies and the EMDE processing. This protocol has permitted the successful processing of the memories related to the panic episodes (including imagining of the entire scene from start to finish), appropriate cognitive restructuring of the elements of irrational fear, and planned exposure through encouragement and support for confronting avoid situations and places. A conclusion of treatment is an agreement to face new situations of life that had seemed impossible before treatment because of the level of fear.

Conference

English

Elisa Faretta

Faretta, E. (2004, June). Integration of hypnotic therapy with EMDR for the treatment of panic disorder: Report of twelve single case studies. In anxiety disorders and EMDR (A. de Jongh, Chair). Symposium conducted at the 5th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Stockholm, Sweden