New advances with EMDR: A summary of interesting new research

This presentation reviews new advances in EMDR, reporting on recent research studies which have investigated EMDR's application with new problems, new populations, and/or with new protocols. It looks at EMDR treatment of somatic and physical health problems, such as migraine headaches and chronic pain, as well as the role of EMDR in reducing the stressful impact of life-threatening health problems such as cardiac events and neuromuscular disorders. Preliminary research on new EMDR applications is summarized, including treatment of clients with psychosis and individuals with developmental disorders. An effective new protocol for recent critical events is explained and examined, as well as a new protocol for obsessive-compulsive disorder. The presentation also reviews studies investigating the role of eye movements on memory and physiology, and what these findings reveal about possible mechanisms of action in EMDR.

Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will be able to describe applications for EMDR with non-PTSD populations and related supportive research
2. Participants will be able to summarize clinical practice strategies for EMDR treatment of several somatic and physical health problems
3. Participants will be able to explain the new EMDR Protocol for Recent Critical Events and to recount the differences between this and the standard EMDR protocol, and to summarize the research evidence for this intervention
4. Participants will be able to explain the new EMDR Adapted Phobia Protocol for OCD, and to discuss the theoretical implications of this protocol
5. Participants will develop a basic knowledge of research findings regarding the effects of eye movements, and will be able to apply these to an understanding of EMDR’s mechanisms of action.

Conference

English

Louise Maxfield

Maxfield, L. (2012, April). New advances with EMDR: A summary of interesting new research. Presentation at the EMDR Canada Annual Conference, Montreal, QC