Four contributions to the standard protocol practice of EMDR
Description
While the standard EMDR protocol has been highly successful in treating a variety of psychological problems, it has always been acknowledged that there is considerable flexibility in its application, especially related to the History and Preparation Phases. (Shapiro, 1995,2001; EMDRIA, 2012). This presentation, incorporating the strengths of the AIP, focuses on practice and theoretical related suggestions designed to enhance treatment for clients in general, as well as for some specific problem areas. Each of the items listed below will be explained through lecture and Power Point slides, with liberal inclusion of participant questions and comments. Each of the items below will be expected to have roughly equivalent time apportioned to them.
1. Client trauma history can sometimes be more effectively understood with a structured questionnaire such as the Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire (ACE. Dube, et al 2001). However, if the questionnaire has a clinical orientation and surveys a wide range of experience, allows details to remain unrevealed (a great strength of EMDR), prompts memory without being overly directive, and offers opportunity for clients to rate relative effects of events, it may be maximally valuable. To this end, a trauma questionnaire that has been used since the 1990s, the Great Lake Event Questionnaire (GLCU,Lipke, 2016) will be shared. Goal: Participants will become familiar with the Great Lakes Events Questionnaire, administration options and research potential.
2. As EMDR does include unusual activity,the clearer the rationale can be explained the less likely there is to be resistance to acceptance from clients, as well as fellow professionals and administrators not knowledgeable about the research. The addition of a graphic representation of memory systems,the failure to process memory and the overcoming of that failure (Lipke, 2013), incorporating the chief strength of the AIP, has been found to be clinically and even administratively useful in providing a comprehensible explanation of EMDR effects.
1. Client trauma history can sometimes be more effectively understood with a structured questionnaire such as the Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire (ACE. Dube, et al 2001). However, if the questionnaire has a clinical orientation and surveys a wide range of experience, allows details to remain unrevealed (a great strength of EMDR), prompts memory without being overly directive, and offers opportunity for clients to rate relative effects of events, it may be maximally valuable. To this end, a trauma questionnaire that has been used since the 1990s, the Great Lake Event Questionnaire (GLCU,Lipke, 2016) will be shared. Goal: Participants will become familiar with the Great Lakes Events Questionnaire, administration options and research potential.
2. As EMDR does include unusual activity,the clearer the rationale can be explained the less likely there is to be resistance to acceptance from clients, as well as fellow professionals and administrators not knowledgeable about the research. The addition of a graphic representation of memory systems,the failure to process memory and the overcoming of that failure (Lipke, 2013), incorporating the chief strength of the AIP, has been found to be clinically and even administratively useful in providing a comprehensible explanation of EMDR effects.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Lipke, H. (2017, August). Four contributions to the standard protocol practice of EMDR. Presentation at the 22nd EMDR International Association Conference, Bellevue, WA
Collection
Citation
“Four contributions to the standard protocol practice of EMDR,” Francine Shapiro Legacy Library, accessed December 13, 2025, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/24464.