Incorporating eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) into CAT

The chapter will briefly discuss the cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) approaches to trauma presentations. The chapter will go on to provide a basic introduction to EMDR, and then explore where EMDR can complement CAT illustrated by a short case example. CAT can incorporate elements of EMDR at different stages of the CAT therapeutic process to increase affect management and capacity to engage in therapy during the stabilization/resourcing stage of the work. This allows an explicit focus on those relationship experiences formulated to be touchstone memories or experiences that have led to the evolution of unhelpful coping strategies (procedural sequences) as well as offer a neurobiological understanding of dissociation and additional strategies to facilitate therapeutic change.

Book Section

English

Mark J. Walker

Walker, M. J. (2024, March). Incorporating eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) into CAT. In Brumer, L., Cavieres, M., & Tan, R. (Eds)., Oxford Handbook of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (pp. 717–731). New York, NY: Oxford University Press