Clinical notes: The somatic inkblot series (SIS) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Most readers of this journal are quite familiar with the various forms of the Somatic Inkblot Series (SIS). Previous reports have described how the SIS enables clinicians to release the “inner cry” of suffering individuals. Unlike most other projective tests, the SIS asks the subject to rate responses o an anxiety – threat subjective retag scale. It specifically determines in order, the three inkblots considered to be most disturbing. The one ranked highest has subsequent port – traumatic dreams of such events. Using that SIS inkblot on the answer sheet as a stimulus object for projective perception, the therapist has the capability retest situations of activating past traumatic imagery for therapeutic reprocessing. There are various ways that innovative clinicians can activate this imagery depending upon their theoretical orientation. Those who employ free associates interpretations. Cognitive therapists’ techniques may willies such responses in correcting disturbed think9ng such as exaggerated feelings of helplessness. Hypnotherapies and those skilled in active meditation therapy have also developed interesting applications for this projective approach. Another involves the use of the SIS in desensitization procedures. For example with the video version, there can be therapeutic benefits from the respected temporal association of presenting relaxing nature scenes immediately followed by presentation of the electronically – evoked painful traumatic imagery. Biofeedback technology may be used along with this for appraising the psychophysiological disturbances associated with traumatic SIS released memories. This presentation outlines how the SIS may prove to be and aid for those therapists trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This appears to be significant, yet controversial method, which was discovered in 1987 by Shapiro (1995) for the treatment of a variety of conditions

Journal

English

Wilfred A. Cassell

Cassell, W. A. (1998, January). Clinical notes: The somatic inkblot series (SIS) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). SIS Journal of Projective Psychology & Mental Health; Chandigarh, 5(1), 69-70