Abstract
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a recently developed psychotherapy procedure which has been reported to dramatically increase efficiency in the treatment of psychological disturbances rooted in traumatic memories. Following a review of the research on EMDR's efficacy, clinical considerations are addressed, including the client's experience and the potential for negative effects or treatment failure. Finally, the role of EMDR in clinical practice is discussed. Initial reports are encouraging, and further research is recommended. Clinicians who choose to use EMDR are urged to obtain formal training.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anonymous (1993). EMDR: A survivor's experience.Men's Issues Forum,4(1), 1–3, 6–7.
Boore, J. (1993, May/June). EMDR — A new procedure.The California Therapist, 5(3), 40–42.
Boudewyns, P. A., Stwertka, S. A., Hyer, L. A., Albrecht, J. Q., & Sperr, E. V. (1993). Eye Movement Desensitization for PTSD of combat: A treatment outcome pilot study.The Behavior Therapist, 16(2), 29–33.
EMDR (1993). Brochure advertising Level I EMDR training. Pacific Grove, CA: Author.
Fulcher, G. (1993, March).Research problems and suggested protocols. Presentation at EMDR Annual Conference, San Jose, CA.
Grainger, R. D. (1992). Eye movements: A new psychotherapeutic tool.American Journal of Nursing, 92(5), 18.
Greenwald, R. (1993a). Treating children's nightmares with EMDR.EMDR Network Newsletter, 3(1), 7–9.
Greenwald, R. (1993b). Magical installations can help clients to slay their dragons.EMDR Network Newsletter, 3(2), 16–17.
Greenwald, R. 1993c).EMDR and children: An ounce of prevention. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Greenwald, R. (1993d).The therapeutic relationship and EMDR. Manuscript submitted for publication.
Greenwald, R. (in press-a). [Letter to the editor.]Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry.
Greenwald, R. (in press-b).Using EMDR with children: A manual. Pacific Grove, CA: EMDR.
Greenwald, R. (in press-c). Applying eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to the treatment of traumatized children: Five case studies.Anxiety Disorders Practice Journal.
Hammond, D. C. (1991). In search of rapid, magical cures for trauma: The eye movement desensitization & reprocessing technique.American Society for Clinical Hypnosis Newsletter, 32(2), 7–8.
Herbert, J. D. & Mueser, K. T. (1992). Eye movement desensitization: A critique of the evidence.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 23, 169–174.
Kleinknecht, R. A. & Morgan, M. P. (1992). Treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder with eye moment desensitization.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 23, 43–49.
Levin, C. (1993, July/August). The enigma of EMDR.Family Therapy Networker, 17(4), 75–78, 82–83.
Lohr, J. M., Kleinknecht, R. A., Conley, A. T., Dal Cerro, S., Schmidt, J., &, Sontag, M. E. (1992). A methodological critique of the current status of eye movement desensitization (EMD).Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 23, 159–167.
Lipke, H. J. (1993).EMDR Survey. Preliminary results, unpublished.
Lipke, H. J. & Botkin, A. L. (1992). Case studies of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMD/R) with chronic post-traumatic stress disorders.Psychotherapy, 29, 591–595.
Marquis, J. N. (1991). A report on seventy-eight cases treated by eye movement desensitization.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 22, 187–192.
McCann, D. L. (1992). Post-traumatic stress disorder due to devastating burns overcome by a single session of eye movement desensitization.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 23, 319–323.
Mendoza-Weitman, L. (1992). Case study.EMDR Network Newsletter, 2(1), 11–12.
Metter, J. & Michelson, L. K. (1993). Theoretical, clinical, research, and ethical constraints of the eye movement desensitization reprocessing technique.Journal of Traumatic Stress, 6, 413–415.
Morton, B. (1993).Eye movement and cortical plasticity: A neurobiological theory. Manuscript in preparation.
Puk, G. (1991). Treating traumatic memories: A case report on the eye movement desensitization procedure.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 22, 149–151.
Rothbaum, B. (1992). How does EMDR work?Behavior Therapist, 15, 34.
Sanderson, A. & Carpenter, R. (1992). Eye movement desensitization versus image confrontation: A single-session crossover study of 58 phobic subjects.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 23, 269–275.
Shapiro, F. (1989a). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories.Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2, 199–223.
Shapiro, F. (1989b). Eye movement desensitization: A new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 20, 211–217.
Shapiro, F. (1991a). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing procedure: From EMD to EMD/R — A new treatment model for anxiety and related traumata.The Behavior Therapist, 14, 133–135, 128.
Shapiro, F. (1991b). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: A cautionary note.The Behavior Therapist, 14, 188.
Shapiro, F. (1991c). Worth repeating.EMDR Network Newsletter, 1(1), 1–2.
Shapiro, F. (1991d). Stray thoughts.EMDR Network Newsletter, 1(2), 1–2.
Shapiro, F. (1992a, May). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Level I Basic training. Honolulu, HI.
Shapiro, F. (1992b, July). Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Level II training. San Jose, CA.
Shapiro, F. (1993a). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in 1992.Journal of Traumatic Stress, 6, 417–421.
Shapiro, F. (1993b, Spring). The boundaries of quantum psychology.EMDR Network Newsletter, 3(1), 1–4.
Silver, S. (1993a, March).PTSD veteran program EMDR vs. non-EMDR self report. Presentation at EMDR Annual Conference, San Jose, CA,
Silver, S. (1993b, Spring). Whence EMDR?EMDR Network Newsletter, 3(1), 17–18.
Solomon, R. (1991, October).Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Treatment of choice for critical incident trauma. Paper presented at 8th Users' Stress Workshop, San Antonio, TX.
Solomon, R. M. (1993, March).Research presentation. Presentation at EMDR Annual Conference, San Jose, CA.
Terr, L. (1991). Childhood traumas: An outline and overview.American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 10–20.
Thyer, B. A., Papsdorf, J. D., Davis, R., & Vallecorsa, S. (1984). Autonomic correlates of the subjective anxiety scale.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 15, 3–7.
van der Kolk, B. A. (1987). The psychological consequences of overwhelming life experiences. In B. A van der Kolk (Ed.),Psychological trauma (pp. 1–30). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press.
Vaughn, K. (1993, March).Research presentation. Presentation at EMDR Annual Conference, San Jose, CA.
Wildwind, L. (1993, March).Chronic depression. Presentation at EMDR Annual Conference, San Jose, CA.
Wilson, D. L., Covi, W. G., & Foster, S. (1993, March).Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Effectiveness and autonomic correlates. Presentation at EMDR Annual Conference, San Jose, CA.
Wolpe, J. & Abrams, J. (1991). Post-traumatic stress disorder overcome by eye-movement desensitization: A case report.Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 22, 39–43.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Greenwald, R. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): An overview. J Contemp Psychother 24, 15–34 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02306581
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02306581