Skip to content
EMDR International Association
  • About EMDR Therapy
    • What is EMDR therapy?
      • Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model
      • EMDR Therapy & Addiction
      • EMDR Therapy & Anxiety
      • EMDR Therapy & Childhood Trauma
      • EMDR Therapy & Depression
      • EMDR Therapy & PTSD
    • Experiencing EMDR Therapy
    • EMDR Therapy in Treatment Guidelines
    • Recent Research on EMDR Therapy
    • Find an EMDR Therapist®
  • EMDR Training
    & Education
    • EMDR Education Calendar
    • EMDR Basic Training
      • 5 Steps to Take an EMDRIA™ Approved EMDR Basic Training
      • Eligibility Requirements for EMDR Basic Training
      • EMDR Basic Training FAQs
      • Training vs Certification
      • Find an EMDR Basic Training
    • Continuing Education
      • OnDemand Education
    • EMDRIA Conference
      • Call for Presentations
      • Call for Proposal Reviewers
      • Conference Speaker Resources
    • EMDRIA Summit
      • Summit Speaker Resources
    • EMDRIA™ Digital Badges
    • EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ Application
      • How to Market Yourself as an EMDRIA Certified Therapist™
      • EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ FAQs
      • Membership vs Certification
      • EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ Renewal
    • EMDRIA Approved Consultant™ Application
      • Updating EMDRIA Approved Consultant™ Standards
      • CIT Declaration Form
      • EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training™ FAQs
      • Consultation Packet
      • EMDRIA Approved Consultant™ Renewal
      • Consultant Day Events
    • EMDRIA Credit Provider & Program Applications
    • EMDRIA Approved Trainer™ Application
      • EMDR Basic Training Policies & Requirements
      • Standards for EMDR Basic Training
      • Trainer Day Events
  • Publications
    & Resources
    • EMDRIA Library
    • Glossary of EMDR Terms
    • Antiracism Resources
    • Online EMDR Therapy Resources
    • Focal Point Blog
      • Subscribe to Focal Point Blog
    • Go With That Magazine®
    • Journal of EMDR Practice & Research®
    • Let’s Talk EMDR Podcast
    • Toolkits & Practice Resources
      • 8 Phases Toolkit
      • Building Your EMDR Practice Toolkit
      • Client Brochures
      • Addictions Toolkit
      • Depression Toolkit
      • EMDRIA Children’s Toolkit
      • Chronic Pain Toolkit
      • Military Toolkit
      • EMDR Consultation Toolkit
    • Kits y Recursos Prácticos
      • Folletos de Terapia EMDR
      • Kit de las 8 Fases
      • Kit de la Depresión
      • Kit del Dolor Crónico
      • Kit de los Niños y Niñas
  • EMDRIA™ Membership
    • Join EMDRIA™
      • Retired Membership
      • Agency Group Membership
      • International Affiliate Organizations
    • Member Hub
    • Renew EMDRIA™ Membership
    • Membership Benefits
    • EMDRIA™ Member Account Overview
    • Directory Profile Information
    • Membership vs Certification
  • EMDRIA Online Community
    • EMDRIA Online Community
    • EMDR Topic Forums
      • Special Interest Groups
      • Topic Forums
  • About
    EMDRIA™
    • Join EMDRIA™
    • EMDRIA™ FAQs
    • Contact EMDRIA™
    • Contact Media Relations
    • Meet the Board of Directors
      • Call for Board of Directors Nominations
    • Board News and Updates
      • Annual Membership Meeting
    • EMDR International Association™ Policies
    • EMDRIA™ Awards & Winners
    • EMDRIA Foundation
FacebookTwitterLinkedin
  • Join EMDRIA™
  • Contact
  • Find an EMDR Therapist®
EMDR International Association
Log In
  • About EMDR Therapy
    • What is EMDR therapy?
      • Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) Model
      • EMDR Therapy & Addiction
      • EMDR Therapy & Anxiety
      • EMDR Therapy & Childhood Trauma
      • EMDR Therapy & Depression
      • EMDR Therapy & PTSD
    • Experiencing EMDR Therapy
    • EMDR Therapy in Treatment Guidelines
    • Recent Research on EMDR Therapy
    • Find an EMDR Therapist®
  • EMDR Training
    & Education
    • EMDR Education Calendar
    • EMDR Basic Training
      • 5 Steps to Take an EMDRIA™ Approved EMDR Basic Training
      • Eligibility Requirements for EMDR Basic Training
      • EMDR Basic Training FAQs
      • Training vs Certification
      • Find an EMDR Basic Training
    • Continuing Education
      • OnDemand Education
    • EMDRIA Conference
      • Call for Presentations
      • Call for Proposal Reviewers
      • Conference Speaker Resources
    • EMDRIA Summit
      • Summit Speaker Resources
    • EMDRIA™ Digital Badges
    • EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ Application
      • How to Market Yourself as an EMDRIA Certified Therapist™
      • EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ FAQs
      • Membership vs Certification
      • EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ Renewal
    • EMDRIA Approved Consultant™ Application
      • Updating EMDRIA Approved Consultant™ Standards
      • CIT Declaration Form
      • EMDRIA Approved Consultant in Training™ FAQs
      • Consultation Packet
      • EMDRIA Approved Consultant™ Renewal
      • Consultant Day Events
    • EMDRIA Credit Provider & Program Applications
    • EMDRIA Approved Trainer™ Application
      • EMDR Basic Training Policies & Requirements
      • Standards for EMDR Basic Training
      • Trainer Day Events
  • Publications
    & Resources
    • EMDRIA Library
    • Glossary of EMDR Terms
    • Antiracism Resources
    • Online EMDR Therapy Resources
    • Focal Point Blog
      • Subscribe to Focal Point Blog
    • Go With That Magazine®
    • Journal of EMDR Practice & Research®
    • Let’s Talk EMDR Podcast
    • Toolkits & Practice Resources
      • 8 Phases Toolkit
      • Building Your EMDR Practice Toolkit
      • Client Brochures
      • Addictions Toolkit
      • Depression Toolkit
      • EMDRIA Children’s Toolkit
      • Chronic Pain Toolkit
      • Military Toolkit
      • EMDR Consultation Toolkit
    • Kits y Recursos Prácticos
      • Folletos de Terapia EMDR
      • Kit de las 8 Fases
      • Kit de la Depresión
      • Kit del Dolor Crónico
      • Kit de los Niños y Niñas
  • EMDRIA™ Membership
    • Join EMDRIA™
      • Retired Membership
      • Agency Group Membership
      • International Affiliate Organizations
    • Member Hub
    • Renew EMDRIA™ Membership
    • Membership Benefits
    • EMDRIA™ Member Account Overview
    • Directory Profile Information
    • Membership vs Certification
  • EMDRIA Online Community
    • EMDRIA Online Community
    • EMDR Topic Forums
      • Special Interest Groups
      • Topic Forums
  • About
    EMDRIA™
    • Join EMDRIA™
    • EMDRIA™ FAQs
    • Contact EMDRIA™
    • Contact Media Relations
    • Meet the Board of Directors
      • Call for Board of Directors Nominations
    • Board News and Updates
      • Annual Membership Meeting
    • EMDR International Association™ Policies
    • EMDRIA™ Awards & Winners
    • EMDRIA Foundation

The value of visioning: Augmenting EMDR with alpha-band alternating bilateral photic stimulation for trauma treatment in schizophrenia (Medical Hypotheses)

Article-FeaturedImage

Home / Resources / Psychosis/Schizophrenia / The value of visioning: Augmenting EMDR with alpha-band alternating bilateral photic stimulation for trauma treatment in schizophrenia (Medical Hypotheses)

The value of visioning: Augmenting EMDR with alpha-band alternating bilateral photic stimulation for trauma treatment in schizophrenia

Hypothesis that augmentation of EMDR with alternating bilateral photic stimulation (ABPS) is suited to those on the schizotypal spectrum.


Article Abstract

“The value of addressing trauma-related issues in psychosis with therapies such as ṇEMDR is being increasingly recognised. The hypothesis of this paper is that augmentation of EMDR with alternating bilateral photic stimulation (ABPS) is especially suited to those on the schizotypal spectrum. Not only does Alternating Bilateral Photic Stimulation (ABPS) at alpha frequencies (8–12 Hz) directly compensate EEG deficits of schizophrenia by photic driving, it also stimulates pseudo-hallucinatory visual imagery (visions) and a waking dream state. In contrast to the REM-sleep state, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex remains activated during the flicker-induced waking dream and its functions of reflective thought and insight are preserved. Recent EEG and neuroimaging studies are providing empirical support for the long-held conjecture that psychosis is caused by a conflation of REM-sleep / dreaming and waking states. Llewellyn’s theory of de-differentiation between sleep-dreaming and waking accounts for both the creativity and psychopathology of the schizotypy spectrum. It is hypothesised that flicker-induced hypnagogic imagery reinforces the EMDR mechanism of action proposed by Stickgold, namely facilitation of memory integration during sleep, by creating greater linkage between EMDR therapy and dreaming. With ABPS-induced visioning EMDR progresses seamlessly from initial targeting of trauma and adversity to desensitisation of emotionally-charged brain-disturbing material related to identity, selfhood, and embodiment. Desensitisation of the affect allows the self-regulatory dynamics of sleep-dreaming to restore embodied selfhood by an integrative process of resynchronisation. This in turn leads to re-differentiation of waking embodiment from dream-embodiment. Evolutionary theories as to the aetiology of the schizotypy spectrum are positing a genetic origin in indigenous shamanic religions which are based on visioning ability. Patients with schizophrenia score better than normal controls on vividness of visual imagery and ability to generate, inspect, and manipulate mental images. Self-help EMDR glasses can be provided to patients for long-term regular practice of ABPS-induced visioning. It is proposed that many on the schizotypal spectrum, including some at the severe end, can improve and maintain their mental health by the regular practice of ABPS-induced visioning, and thereby transition progressively over time from negative to positive schizotypy.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Purchase/Subscription Required

Carr, P. (2020). The value of visioning: Augmenting EMDR with alpha-band alternating bilateral photic stimulation for trauma treatment in schizophrenia. Medical Hypotheses. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110184. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987720317205

View the Resource
Basic Info Collapse

Date
November 1, 2020

Creator(s)
Peter Carr

Topics
Psychosis/Schizophrenia

More Info Collapse

Publisher
Elsevier

Rights
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

APA Citation
Carr, P. (2020). The value of visioning: Augmenting EMDR with alpha-band alternating bilateral photic stimulation for trauma treatment in schizophrenia. Medical Hypotheses. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2020.110184. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306987720317205

Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals

Language
English

Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed

Access Type
External Resource

Related Resources

EMDR Therapy and Military Resource List

Read More

Cracking the EMDR code: Recruitment of sensory, memory and emotional networks during bilateral alternating auditory stimulation (Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry)

Read More

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy Scripted Protocols and Summary Sheets: Treating Trauma in Somatic and Medical Related Conditions (Springer, 2018)

Read More

Find an EMDR Therapist®

EMDRIA™ has more than 16,000 members trained to provide EMDR Therapy. Find a therapist near you.

Find an EMDR Therapist®
sun-flare-min
logo-emdria-grayscale-min

7000 N Mo Pac Expy
Ste 200
Austin, TX 78731-3013

Email info@emdria.org

Phone 512-451-5200

EMDRIA Facebook EMDRIA Twitter EMDRIA LinkedIn EMDRIA YouTube EMDRIA Online Community
  • About EMDR Therapy
  • EMDR Training and Education
  • EMDRIA™ Membership
  • Publications & Resources
  • EMDRIA Online Community
  • EMDRIA Foundation
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright Policy
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sitemap
gold-circle-2022

© 1995-2025 EMDR International Association™. All rights reserved.

Website by Yoko Co

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • Please be aware that email is not a secure means of communication and spam filters may prevent your email from reaching the therapist. We recommend you follow up with a phone call. Sending an email using this page does not guarantee that the recipient will receive, read, or respond to your email.

    If this is an emergency do not use this form. Call 911 or your nearest hospital.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

We use cookies to ensure the best website experience. See our privacy policy to learn more.OkPrivacy policy