| Emdr |
Website Links For Eye |
Information AboutEmdr |
|
DESCRIPTION EMDR was developed by American Psychologist Francine Shapiro , PhD in 1987 after she observed, during a walk in a park, that moving her eyes seemed to reduce the stress of disturbing memories. Based on these initial observations she conducted further research and published a paper in 1989 describing beneficial results in a number of case studies. The therapy originally consisted of the patient being guided by the therapist in moving their eyes in a random way whilst recalling troubling memories. Through this process of reexperiencing such memories, patients were able to resolve them more effectively. The departure from conventional psychotherapeutic techniques in terms of patient-therapist interaction and speed of results led to initial skepticism in the psychotherapeutic and psychiatric establishment. Nevertheless, extensive studies have repeatedly shown it to be as effective as other non-specific treatments, though the long-term effects are still under study (such as well-practiced Cognitive Behaviour Therapy ; e.g., Devilly & Spence, 1999; Taylor et al., 2004). Later developments have removed the focus on the eyes and used a number of other bilateral stimuli such as sound and touch, or , asserting it should not have scientific status. Dr. Shapiro has been given an award for Distinguished Scientific Achievement in Psychology by the California Psychological Association and in 2002 the International Sigmund Freud Award for Psychotherapy presented by the City of Vienna in conjunction with the World Council for Psychotherapy. REFERENCES |
|
|