The rapid and successful efficacy of EMDR in the treatment of specific phobia (cat phobia): Case report

A case report that presents a clinically significant outcome with EMDR intervention involving a patient who experienced a persistent and debilitating fear of cats for over three decades.

Article Abstract

“Specific phobia, recognized as the most prevalent anxiety disorder across the lifespan, is a clinical condition marked by intense, irrational fear and anxiety triggered by a particular object or situation that objectively poses no real threat. Management strategies encompass both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, with behavioral techniques such as systematic desensitization, graded exposure, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) forming the cornerstone of non-drug-based treatments. More recently, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a modality initially developed for individuals with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in addressing specific phobias. This psychotherapeutic approach facilitates the processing of distressing memories and maladaptive responses associated with phobic stimuli. This case report presents a clinically significant outcome involving a patient who experienced a persistent and debilitating fear of cats for over three decades. Following EMDR intervention, the patient exhibited marked improvement in symptomatology within a brief treatment window. These findings suggest that EMDR may offer a rapid, safe, and effective therapeutic alternative for the treatment of specific phobias commonly encountered in clinical mental health settings.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Varlı, M. R., Özcan Çetin, K., & Ünver, H. (2025). The rapid and successful efficacy of EMDR in the treatment of specific phobia (cat phobia): Case report. Turkish Journal of Traumatic Stress, 1(2), 116-120. https://doi.org/10.63175/tjts.19