Integrative eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and family therapy model for treating attachment trauma: Possibilities in the New Zealand context

The negative consequences of attachment trauma are evident on individual and interpersonal levels. Presenting problems for young clients with attachment trauma include posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, anxiety and severely disrupted behaviour. Barriers to treatment include avoidance of emotion, limited awareness of own internal experiences (emotions, cognitions, sensations), reluctance to do trauma therapy and fear that trauma therapy could destabilise the client. A case example is reviewed to reflect on the use of Integrative Attachment Trauma Protocol for Children (IATP-C) components as part of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in the treatment of attachment trauma for children. The review showed positive treatment effects and highlighted the IATP-C as a promising framework for research and further development for use in the New Zealand context.

Journal

English

Marna Dreckmeier-Meiring

Dreckmeier-Meiring, M. (2024, April). Integrative eye movement desensitization and reprocessing and family therapy model for treating attachment trauma: Possibilities in the New Zealand context. Journal of the New Zealand College of Clinical Psychologists, 34(1), 4–13. doi:10.5281/zenodo.10939122