Eye movements for anxiety

In "Can Eye Movements Treat Trauma?" [Head Lines], Tori Rodriguez cites new evidence that eye movements are an effective ingredient in eye movement de sensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). In our column "Taking a Closer Look" [Facts and Fictions in Mental Health, December 2006/January 2007], however, we cited a large body of other evidence that contradicts that claim. At best, we can conclude from the mixed results only that further research is needed to resolve the issue. People seeking treatment for anxiety should not feel compelled to seek out EMDR if a competent therapist is available to deliver standard exposure therapy.

Magazine

English

Hal Arkowitz
Scott O. Lilienfeld

Arkowitz, H., & Lilienfeld, S. O. (2013, May/June). Eye movements for anxiety. Scientific American Mind, 24)(2)