How to Apply Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy in People with Suicidal Intrusions
Background on suffering with suicidal intrusions, assessment procedures, & rationale for applying EMDR therapy using flashforward procedure.
Resource Abstract
“Intrusive suicidal mental images, visualizing one’s future suicide and consequences, frequently occur inpatients with depression, borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and other psychiatric disorders. Until recently, such intrusive images were not treated as targets for suicide prevention in health care or even avoided for fear that it would be dangerous to do so. A recent experimental study revealed that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy considerably alleviated these intrusions in patients with depressive symptoms. The present paper offers a background on the frequency and suffering associated with suicidal intrusions, assessment procedures, the rationale for applying EMDR therapy using the flashforward procedure as an add-on intervention in regular mental health care, and available evidence for applying this approach. In addition, the EMDR flashforward protocol for suicidal intrusions is presented.”
—Description from publisher
Resource Access
Open Access
Kerkhof AJ, de Jongh A, Oppenheim H-J. (2025). How to Apply Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy in People with Suicidal Intrusions. J. EMDR. Pract. Res. 19: Article 0008. https://doi.org/10.34133/jemdr.0008
Date
June 6, 2025
Creator(s)
Ad J.F.M. Kerkhof, Ad de Jongh, Hans-Jaap Oppenheim
Topics
Self-Harm/Suicidality
Practice & Methods
Techniques
Extent
10 pages
Publisher
Science Partner Journals (AAAS)
Rights
Copyright © 2025 Ad J.F.M. Kerkhof et al. Exclusive licensee EMDR International Association, USA. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0).
APA Citation
Kerkhof AJ, de Jongh A, Oppenheim H-J. (2025). How to Apply Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy in People with Suicidal Intrusions. J. EMDR. Pract. Res. 19: Article 0008. https://doi.org/10.34133/jemdr.0008
Series
19
Installment
0008
Audience
EMDR Therapists
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Original Source
Journal of EMDR Practice and Research
Access Type
Open Access