Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a rapid therapeutic method for psychological trauma and other mental health disorders: A critical review

This paper examines the effect of EMDR therapy as a rapid therapeutic method for the treatment of psychological trauma.

Article Abstract

“Have you ever heard of a therapy that can rapidly alleviate symptoms of trauma and other mental health conditions? The eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro and has emerged as a highly effective treatment for a wide range of psychological conditions. This paper examines the effect of EMDR therapy as a rapid therapeutic method for the treatment of psychological trauma and other mental health disorders. EMDR therapy is an integrative psychotherapeutic approach that uses some procedures/ protocols to address psychological trauma. The study aims to investigate how true is it that EMDR therapy is a rapid psychotherapeutic method for the treatment of psychological trauma and other mental health disorders. Despite the findings from other authors of the rapid effects of EMDR therapy on psychological disorders, some other authors also criticized the EMDR therapy. From the findings of other authors, it is agreed that EMDR therapy is a rapid therapeutic method for the treatment of psychological trauma and other mental health disorders. It is recommended that the EMDR therapy should be employed for the treatment of psychological disorders and its services should be made to individuals in rural areas. Again, research should be done on integrating cultural techniques in its mechanism of action in order for its effectiveness to be understood by individuals from different cultural backgrounds, especially Africa.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Madu, J. I. (2024). Eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a rapid therapeutic method for psychological trauma and other mental health disorders: A critical review. International Journal for Psychotherapy in Africa, 9(2), 42-61. Open access: https://journals.ezenwaohaetorc.org/index.php/IJPA/article/view/2891