Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy

In this book by Mark C. Russell, Ph.D. and Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., they describe the underlying theory of EMDR and it’s success as an integrative client-centered psychotherapy.

About the Book

“Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy erupted onto the psychotherapy landscape 32 years ago. EMDR therapy is considered an integrative client-centered psychotherapy emphasizing the brain’s information processing system and memories of disturbing events as the bases of psychopathology. Specifically, EMDR therapy emphasizes working with imagery, cognitions, emotions, somatic sensations, and behavior linked to the disturbing memory, as well as attending to past, current, and future-oriented experiential contributors. It is a treatment that focuses on experiences contributing both to pathology and resilience.

EMDR therapists are encouraged to develop cultural awareness so that they can adapt standard EMDR procedures to the cultural setting, build culturally sensitive therapeutic alliances, and take cultural aspects into consideration when implementing assessments, case formulations, and treatment plans. Globally, EMDR therapy is widely viewed as an efficacious and effective treatment for a broad range of traumatic stressors and populations, and it is increasingly gaining acceptance as a primary treatment for other forms of psychopathology.

The progress of EMDR therapy over the past 3 decades is a direct testament to the multitudes of dedicated clinicians, researchers, and volunteers. The history and underlying theory of EMDR are described in Chapters 2 and 3, respectively. The standard EMDR protocol reflects an integrative psychotherapy consisting of eight stages and chapter four describes this in detail. Since its inception, a total of 36 randomized controlled trials have established the efficacy of EMDR therapy. Chapter five provides a summary of EMDR therapy research on traumatized adults and children and other selected clinical populations.”

Book Access

Purchase Required

Russell, M. C., & Shapiro, F. (2022). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000273-000

ISBN: 978-1433836596

Theories of Psychotherapy Series®