EMDR and Parenting: A Clinical Case

The theory of attachment underlines how traumatic experiences from the parent’s past can be reactivated in the parent caregiving system.

Article Abstract

“The theory of attachment underlines how traumatic experiences from the parent’s past—when stored in a dysfunctional way—can be reactivated in the parent caregiving system, emerging from an internal working model (IWM) of attachment that holds the memory traces of such traumatic events. This article presents a clinical case report of a mother who was referred to treatment because she presented strong depressive symptoms. Forty sessions were provided, consisting of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to address maternal trauma issues and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for parenting skill development, debriefing, cognitive restructuring, and psychoeducation. The positive treatment results included distinct evidence of changes in the mother’s relationship with her child, and her mental representation of her caregiving system as measured with the Parent Development Interview (Slade et al., 1993).”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Zaccagnino, M., & Cussino, M. (2013). EMDR and Parenting: A Clinical Case. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 7(3), 154–166. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.7.3.154

About the Journal

The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research is a peer-reviewed publication devoted to integrative, state-of-the-art papers about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a broadly conceived interdisciplinary journal that stimulates and communicates research and theory about EMDR, and their application to clinical practice. The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research is the Official Publication of the EMDR International Association.