EMDR therapy with a transdiagnostic protocol for the treatment of eating disorders in adolescents and adults

A transdiagnostic approach of eating disorders was introduced by Fairburn (2003) and resulted in CBT-E(nhanced), a treatment-program which has been validated empirically and proven to be successful for both adults and adolescents (Dalle Grave et al, 2020). Clinical practice has demonstrated that EMDR therapy -as add-on therapy- can be effective for the treatment of core symptoms, as described in this approach (like fear-driven and urge-driven symptoms), and of sustaining factors (like clinical perfectionism and negative body-perception).

A transdiagnostic perspective on treatment was introduced by Shapiro (2001) with the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, underlying EMDR therapy. Different types of targets are relevant for different forms of psychopathology. For identification and selection of relevant targets several strategies have been developed by Dutch EMDR trainers in the past years.

Based on these premises an EMDR-Eating Disorder (EMDR-ED) protocol is developed (Beer, 2019; 2024), applicable to both adults and adolescents. Several studies are taking place now, exploring its feasibility and efficacy.

The workshop will introduce the EMDR-ED protocol, clarify the rationale for it, explain how the 8 phases and the 3 prongs are integrated, giving an impression how this protocol can give guidance to the EMDR practitioner in integrating EMDR in the treatment of patients with an eating disorder.

Conference

English

Renee Beer

Beer, R. (2024, June). EMDR therapy with a transdiagnostic protocol for the treatment of eating disorders in adolescents and adults. Presentation at the 22nd EMDR Europe Conference, Dublin, Ireland