Humanitarian Projects and Growth of EMDR Therapy in Asia

Accomplishments of humanitarian projects in Asia using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.

Article Abstract

“This article focuses on the accomplishments of humanitarian projects in Asia using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. The main thrust of EMDR humanitarian assistance programs has been to train local clinicians to provide EMDR to individuals suffering from the disaster. The article highlights the training projects and the experience of using EMDR therapy after earthquakes in China, India, Indonesia, and Pakistan; after tsunamis in Japan, India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka; and after accidents and terror attacks in Korea and Pakistan. Detailed descriptions are provided about the responses to the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat; the 2004 tsunami in India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka; the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan; the 2008 earthquake in China; and the 2011 tsunami in Japan. In addition, the article discusses how Asian EMDR therapists are working together to provide training, respond to crises, and establish professional standards, so that EMDR therapy can be established in Asia and integrated into regular practice. Further, this article describes the creation of EMDR Asia, which brought several Asian countries together and share the development of EMDR therapy in their countries. The challenges faced by EMDR Asia today are discussed in detail.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Mehrotra, S. (2014). Humanitarian Projects and Growth of EMDR Therapy in Asia. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 8(4), 252–259. http://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.8.4.252

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.