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Dunne, T., & Farrell, D. (2011). An investigation into clinicians' experiences of integrating EMDR into their clinical practice. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 5(4), 177-188. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.5.4.177

Derek Farrell, University of Birmingham, College of Medical & Dental Sciences, 52 Pritchatts Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. E-mail:

Abstract

This study was conducted in the United Kingdom at two major conferences to examine how therapists (N = 83) integrated eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) into their clinical practice. Data from a mixed methodology suggests that up to 40% of the sample experienced difficulties post-EMDR training. Results indicated that analytically trained and humanistic therapists experienced significantly more difficulties in integrating EMDR into the current clinical practice than integrative or cognitive behavioral clinicians. This study also ascertained that EMDR clinicians experienced workplace difficulties and challenges. Consideration is given to how the study findings may have implications for both the teaching and learning of EMDR and workplace issues.

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Hornsveld, H. K., Houtveen, J. H., Vroomen, M., Aalbers, I. K. D., Aalbers, D., & van den Hout, M. A. (2011). Evaluating the effect of eye movements on positive memories such as those used in resource development and installation. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 5(4), 146-155. doi:10.1891/1933-3196.5.4.146

Hellen K. Hornsveld, Utrecht University, Clinical and Health Psychology, PO Box 80140, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands. E-mail:

Abstract

Resource development and installation (RDI) is an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-related procedure developed to strengthen positive associations in positive and resourceful memories (Korn & Leeds, 2002). This study tested the assumption that bilateral stimulation (horizontal eye movements [EM]) in RDI “appears to lead to spontaneous, rapid increases in affective intensity . . . and to rich, emotionally vivid associations” (Korn & Leeds, p. 1469). This study also tested whether eye movement effects could be better accounted for by working memory or by interhemispheric interaction theory. Fifty-three undergraduate students each recalled three memories of pride, perseverance, and self-confidence. They provided pretest and posttest ratings of each memory for vividness, pleasantness, and experienced strength of the positive quality, before and after performing three simultaneous tasks during recall: horizontal EM, vertical EM, and recall only. Results were fully in line with working memory predictions, with significant decreases for all variables following both eye movement tasks. There was no support for the interhemispheric hypothesis. It is concluded that the effectiveness of bilateral stimulation in RDI is questionable. Clinical implications are discussed.

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Nazari, H., Momeni, N., Jariani, M., & Tarrahi, M. J. (2011). Comparison of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing with citalopram in treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice, 15(4), 270-4. doi:10.3109/13651501.2011.590210

Hedayat Nazari, PO Box: 13185-1678, Tehran, Iran. E-mail:

Abstract

Objective. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the chronic anxiety disorders that interfere with routine individual life, occupational and social functions. There is controversy about the first choice of treatment for OCD between medication and psychotherapy. Aim. The aim was to investigate the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) compared with medication by citalopram in treatment of OCD. Methods. This randomized controlled trial was carried out on 90 OCD patients that randomly were assigned into two groups. They either received therapeutic sessions of EMDR or citalopram during 12 weeks. Both groups blindly were evaluated by the Yale-Brown scale before and after the trial period. Results. Pretreatment average Yale-Brown score of citalopram group was about 25.26 as well as 24.83 in EMDR group. The after treatment scores were 19.06 and 13.6, respectively. There was significant difference between the mean Yale-Brown scores of the two groups after treatment and EMDR was more effective than citalopram in improvement of OCD signs. Conclusion. It is concluded that although both therapeutic methods (EMDR and Citalopram) had significant effect in improving obsessive signs but it seems that in short term EMRD has better effect in improvement of final outcome of OCD.

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EMDR: First-choice treatment for the effects of psychotrauma
from the EMDR Association of the Netherlands