Integrative psychotherapy and psychotherapy integration: The case of EMDR

This paper aims to explore whether EMDR therapy is best seen as set of techniques and procedures that may be flexibly integrated within an eclectic or otherwise focused therapy practice or as a comprehensive and distinct psychotherapy approach.

Article Abstract

“EMDR therapy has received international recognition as a treatment of choice for posttraumatic stress disorder and is gaining increasing acknowledgment for other applications. This paper aims to explore whether EMDR therapy is best seen as set of techniques and procedures that may be flexibly integrated within an eclectic or otherwise focused therapy practice drawing upon several methods (EMDR as an integrable method), or as a comprehensive and distinct psychotherapy approach that must be used in its entirety to be optimally effective (EMDR as an integrative and comprehensive psychotherapy). To answer this question, the discussion is situated within the general movement toward psychotherapy integration and the main characteristics of EMDR are explored (the adaptive information processing [AIP] model, the eight-phased approach, the three-pronged protocol, the bilateral or dual attention stimulation) while considering its potential mediators, moderators, and mechanisms of action. These elements are examined to determine if they appear to be unique and idiosyncratic, and whether they may hinder or prevent the integration of EMDR procedures or techniques with other treatment modalities. In conclusion, it is argued that the individual therapist plays a central role in answering this paper’s question and that EMDR may be applied advantageously as a flexible, integrable method, as a comprehensive, stand-alone psychotherapy approach, and as an integrative psychotherapy approach that may successfully combine its theoretical and practical components with those of other forms of psychotherapy.”

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Rydberg, J. A., & Machado, J. (2020). Integrative psychotherapy and psychotherapy integration: The case of EMDR. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 100165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2020.100165

About the Journal

“The European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation / Revue Européenne du Trauma et de la Dissociation is the official journal of the European Society for Trauma and Dissociation and of the French language Association of Trauma and Dissociation. The journal is dedicated to publishing scientific and clinical literature on dissociation, the dissociative disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, complex PTSD, psychological trauma, and attachment disturbances, in order to foster exchange among researchers, clinicians and other professionals.”

—Description from publisher