Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and the Anxiety Disorders: Clinical and Research Implications of an Integrated Psychotherapy Treatment

This article by Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. describes the procedures and protocols that contribute to EMDR’s clinical effects and can be applied to EMDR and anxiety disorders.

Article Abstract

“Four recent, independent, rigorously controlled studies of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have reported that 84 to 100% of single-trauma victims no longer maintain the posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis after the equivalent of three 90-minute sessions.

The rapidity of EMDR treatment effects makes many ancillary research opportunities available. Specifically, the increased number of cases resolved in a relatively short period of time allows investigation of neurophysiological phenomena, patterns of cognitive and emotional processing, component analyses of a large range of procedural factors, and evaluation of the efficacy of application to diverse clinical populations.

Unfortunately, some research has been conducted that has been severely hampered by insufficient treatment fidelity and lack of clinical validity. Consequently, this article will attempt to describe the procedures and protocols that are believed to contribute to EMDR’s clinical effects and are, therefore, suggested for the EMDR treatment and research of the anxiety disorders. This is particularly relevant given the misconceptions that have abounded due to the unfortunate naming of the procedure after the eye movements, which have proved to be only one of many useful types of stimulation, and only one of many components of this complex, integrated treatment.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Purchase/Subscription Required

Shapiro, F. (1999). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and the anxiety disorders: Clinical and research implications of an integrated psychotherapy treatment. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 13(1-2), 35-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0887-6185(98)00038-3

About the Author

Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. (1948–2019) was the founder of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. A licensed psychologist and Senior Research Fellow at the Mental Research Institute (CA), she founded the EMDR Institute and encouraged the development of the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA). Dr. Shapiro authored many books and articles including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures in its 3rd edition in 2018, and Getting past your past: Take control of your life with self-help techniques from EMDR therapy (2012). She was a frequent presenter and teacher and won numerous awards including the California Psychological Association’s Distinguished Scientific Achievement in Psychology Award in 1993 and the International Sigmund Freud Award for Psychotherapy in 2002.

About the Journal

“Journal of Anxiety Disorders is an interdisciplinary journal that publishes research papers dealing with all aspects of anxiety disorders for all age groups (child, adolescent, adult and geriatric). Manuscripts that focus on disorders formerly categorized as anxiety disorders (obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder) and the new category of illness anxiety disorder are also within the scope of the journal.”

—Description from publisher