1. Describe Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) is a form a psychotherapy that is used to assist patients in processing past traumatic events that may be the present source of current psychopathology (Perese, 2012). This therapy is based on the theoretical assumption that emotional dysfunctions related to past traumatic events actually fuel present psychopathology (Wheeler, 2014). Dr. Francine Shapiro originally developed EMDR as a behavioral technique for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Wheeler, 2014). EMDR incorporates the use an eight-phase psychotherapeutic process that focuses on early life experiences, present stressors and desired future thoughts and actions (Wheeler, 2014). In this technique, the therapist moves their finger across the patient’s field of gaze while the patient focuses a disturbing image, thought, sensation or preferred positive belief that comes to mind (Perese, 2012). Although eye movement is the most common form of external stimuli used, the therapist may also incorporate additional techniques such as tapping and sounds (Perese, 2012). The goal of EDMR is to bring the patient’s experienced trauma to a resolution (Wheeler, 2014). The use of EDMR in PTSD allows the patient to experience uncomfortable thoughts, sensations, behaviors or images and process them in a safe and controlled environment (Raboni, Alonso, Tufik, & Suchecki, 2014). One study
