EMDR practitioners' beliefs about memories
Description
Background and aims
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a widely used treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The idea behind EMDR is that lateral eye movements may mitigate the emotional impact of traumatic memories. Given the focus on changing patients’ memories, it is important that EMDR practitioners have detailed knowledge about human memory.
Method
We explored beliefs and ideas about memory in samples of EMDR practitioners (Study 1: n = 12; Study 2: n = 41), students (Study 1: n = 35; Study 2: n = 24), and researchers (Study 2: n = 30). Participants received a case vignette (Study 1) and statements about the functioning of memory (Study 1 and 2). They were asked to which degree they agreed with the given statement.
Results
All groups seemed to be aware of the fallibility of memory. However, a majority of the surveyed EMDR practitioners (70–90%), students (around 90%), and researchers (66.7%) endorsed the controversial idea of repressed memories.
Conclusions
Scepticism and endorsement of problematic ideas about memory-related topics may co-exist within one and the same group. In clinical settings, this might be problematic, because a strong belief in repressed memories might lead therapists to suggestively seek for such memories in patients.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a widely used treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. The idea behind EMDR is that lateral eye movements may mitigate the emotional impact of traumatic memories. Given the focus on changing patients’ memories, it is important that EMDR practitioners have detailed knowledge about human memory.
Method
We explored beliefs and ideas about memory in samples of EMDR practitioners (Study 1: n = 12; Study 2: n = 41), students (Study 1: n = 35; Study 2: n = 24), and researchers (Study 2: n = 30). Participants received a case vignette (Study 1) and statements about the functioning of memory (Study 1 and 2). They were asked to which degree they agreed with the given statement.
Results
All groups seemed to be aware of the fallibility of memory. However, a majority of the surveyed EMDR practitioners (70–90%), students (around 90%), and researchers (66.7%) endorsed the controversial idea of repressed memories.
Conclusions
Scepticism and endorsement of problematic ideas about memory-related topics may co-exist within one and the same group. In clinical settings, this might be problematic, because a strong belief in repressed memories might lead therapists to suggestively seek for such memories in patients.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Houben, S., Otgaar, H., Roelofs, J., Wessel, I., & Patihis, L. (2021, June). EMDR practitioners' beliefs about memories. Poster presented at the 20th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual
Citation
“EMDR practitioners' beliefs about memories,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 8, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/26935.