Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Treatment of Nightmares: A Case Report

Client with depression and chronic nightmares was treated with EMDR and Luber’s (2010) protocol for nightmare processing.

Article Abstract

“A single client with depression and chronic nightmares was treated with 4 sessions of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and showed a decrease in nightmares and improvement in general well-being. The client’s 2 nightmare images were resolved following Luber’s (2010) protocol for nightmare processing. Treatment effects were measured with the Outcome Rating Scale and showed a shift from the clinical range at pretreatment to the nonclinical range at the third session. The ready improvement and gains of this patient have served to highlight various aspects of the EMDR procedures which have worked well for the client, which included targeting the negative cognitions surrounding the theme of helplessness as well as adapting the positive cognition with a collectivistic orientation.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Woo, M. (2014). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Treatment of Nightmares: A Case Report. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 8(3), 129–134. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.8.3.129

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.