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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)

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Evidence-Based Treatments for Trauma Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an empirically validated psychotherapy approach used to treat mental health disorders stemming from trauma and other adverse life experiences in children, adolescents, and adults (Shapiro 1995/2001, Shapiro 2014a, b). EMDR therapy involves eight standardized phases to comprehensively address the clinical picture. Treatment includes targeting and implementing the standardized information processing procedures to address (1) the memories of disturbing events that are etiological to emotional, cognitive, and behavioral problems, (2) current situations that trigger dysfunction, and (3) the incorporation of needed skills for future challenges. The case conceptualization, procedures, and protocols are based on the adaptive information processing (AIP) model, which posits that memories of disturbing events may be physiologically stored in unprocessed form, leading to problems in day-to-day functioning.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mental Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    Francine Shapiro PhD (Emeritus)

  2. The Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska, Omaha, NE, USA

    Debra Wesselmann MS, LIMHP

  3. Department Intellectual Disability and Psychiatry, Mental Health Organization GGZ Friesland, Friesland, Netherlands

    Liesbeth Mevissen MSc

Authors
  1. Francine Shapiro PhD
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  2. Debra Wesselmann MS, LIMHP
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  3. Liesbeth Mevissen MSc
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Francine Shapiro PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychosomatics and Psychiatry, University Children’s Hospital University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Markus A. Landolt

  2. Division of Dissemination and Training, National Center for PTSD, Palo Alto, California, USA

    Marylène Cloitre

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Ulrich Schnyder

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Shapiro, F., Wesselmann, D., Mevissen, L. (2017). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). In: Landolt, M., Cloitre, M., Schnyder, U. (eds) Evidence-Based Treatments for Trauma Related Disorders in Children and Adolescents. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46138-0_13

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