EMDR as a treatment for improving attachment status in adults and children

Introduction: The purpose of the article is to examine the current literature regarding evidence for positive change in attachment status following Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and to describe how an integrative EMDR and family therapy team model was implemented to improve attachment and symptoms in a child with a history of relational loss and trauma.

Literature: The EMDR method is briefly described along with the theoretical model that guides the EMDR approach. As well, an overview of attachment theory is provided and its implication for conceptualizing symptoms related to a history of relational trauma. Finally, a literature review is provided regarding current preliminary evidence that EMDR can improve attachment status in children and adults.

Clinical findings: A case study is described in which an EMDR and family therapy integrative model improved attachment status and symptoms in a child with a history attachment trauma.

Conclusion: The case study and literature review provide preliminary evidence that EMDR may be a promising therapy in the treatment of disorders related to attachment trauma.

Journal

English

Debra Wesselmann
Meghan Davidson
Stephanie Armstrong
Cathy Schweitzer
Daniel Bruckner
Ann E. Potter

Wesselmann, D., Davidson, M., Armstrong, S., Schweitzer, C., Bruckner, D., & Potter, A. E. (2012). EMDR as a treatment for improving attachment status in adults and children. Revue Europenne De Psychologie Applique/European Review of Applied Psychology, 62(4), 223-230. doi:10.1016/j.erap.2012.08.008