EMDR therapy in psycho-oncologySummary sheet: EMDR therapy in psycho-oncology  (Luber)

Many posttraumatic symptoms linked to illness are the result of patients' cognitive struggle with the traumatic event and their failure to process the trauma-related cognitions. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an efficient way to stimulate a shift in the perception of the emotions and physical sensations linked to 'frozen' traumatic memories, enabling an integration process and re-consolidation of the most disturbing elements, whether they are linked to the illness or to the past painful life experiences. This chapter provides brief description on EMDR's contribution to psycho-oncology; EMDR in psycho-oncology script notes; and EMDR in psycho-oncology script. Cancer patients' psychological distress requires specific interventions meant to enhance patients' physical functions, as well as psychological resilience to cope with the various phases of the illness. Research studies have highlighted the presence of adverse life-events that correlate with several psychophysiological symptoms. EMDR can address the following: multiple cancer-related factors; past traumatic events; coping-skills reinforcement; strengthening resources for the future; and restructuring cognitive, emotional, and behavioral maladaptive schemas that can lead to a more adaptive response. This scripted protocol-based treatment model can be efficiently applied to support patients, their families, and professional caregivers.

Book Section

English

Elise Faretta

Faretta, E. (2019). EMDR therapy in psycho-oncology. In M. Luber (Ed.), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Scripted Protocols and Summary Sheets: Treating Trauma in Somatic and Medical-Related Conditions (pp. 187-252). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co