Intervening Early With EMDR on Military Operations: A Case Study

EMDR recent event protocol was used with an active-duty soldier who experienced acute stress after treating land mine casualty.

Article Abstract

“The U.K. armed forces are currently involved in a number of military operations throughout the world. Offering structured psychological interventions such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in theater has a number of potential advantages. This single-case study describes how the EMDR recent event protocol (Shapiro, 1995) was used in theater with a 27-year-old active-duty U.K. soldier who was experiencing an acute stress reaction after treating a land mine casualty. The intervention took place 2 weeks posttrauma with four sessions conducted on consecutive days, resulting in a positive outcome, with the soldier able to return immediately to frontline duties. Treatment response was assessed with administration of four standardized measures at pretreatment, posttreatment, and 18-month follow-up. Treatment effects remained at 18-month follow-up. The challenges of conducting EMDR in operational theaters and clinical implications are explored.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Wesson, M., & Gould, M. (2009). Intervening Early With EMDR on Military Operations A Case Study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 3(2), 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.3.2.91

About the Journal

Journal of EMDR Practice and Research (JEMDR) is a peer-reviewed publication devoted to integrative, state-of-the-art papers about EMDR therapy. It is a broadly conceived interdisciplinary journal that stimulates and communicates research and theory about EMDR therapy and its application to clinical practice. JEMDR is the official publication of the EMDR International Association.