The flexible and relational approach of IFS enhances EMDR’s eight phases: A composite case study

McGoldrick shares a case study integrating EMDR and Internal Family Systems (IFS).

Article Description

“The first of these two articles was offered in reply to the EMDR Council of Scholars’ 2021 position paper on EMDR therapy, describing EMDR as being at a “crossroads”, and at risk of losing out to other trauma treatments, as it is frequently misconstrued as a mere protocol or tool, rather than a whole therapy. The article drew on the long history of EMDR as an integrative psychotherapy practice. It suggested that combining the Internal Family Systems model (IFS) as an adjunct to EMDR could help to fulfil EMDR therapy’s promise of treating the problems of daily living by reprocessing disturbing life experiences. Points of crossover and complementarity between the two approaches were identified and discussed, along with significant points of difference, with reference to the few works already published that consider IFS and EMDR side by side. This second article uses the story of a composite client to illustrate how integrating EMDR with IFS language and interweaves could help the therapy to flow, like water, around so many of the blockages frequently experienced when using only the standard protocol with complex cases.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

McGoldrick, A. (2023). The flexible and relational approach of IFS enhances EMDR’s eight phases: A composite case study. EMDR UK EMDR Therapy Quarterly. https://etq.emdrassociation.org.uk/case-study/the-flexible-and-relational-approach-of-ifs-enhances-emdrs-eight-phases-a-composite-case-study/