De Jongh et al. (2023).

Question 1

What does “EMDR” stand for?

Answer 1

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing

Question 2

What are some advantages of EMDR?

Answer 2

Highly protocolised
No direct challenging of beliefs/ extended exposure/ homework
Few verbal instructions necessary, no need to encourage verbalising trauma

Question 3

What does EMDR entail?

Answer 3

Patient visually tracks therapist’s moving hand while holding trauma memories in mind
Movement: left-right; front-back

Question 4

What are the 8 steps of EMDR?

Answer 4

1: Patient history, treatment planning
2: Preparation
3: Assessment
4: Desensitisation
5: Installation
6: Body scan
7: Closure
8: Re-evaluation

Question 5

How many sessions are usual, and what is the lowest number found to be successful in lowering PTSD?

Answer 5

8-12; 5

Question 6

What does “dual attention task” mean?

Answer 6

Patient holds trauma memory in mind while tracking therapist’s hand with eyes

Question 7

How does the working memory model explain the success of EMDR in treating PTSD?

Answer 7

Working memory domains have limited capacity - performing demanding task inhibits performance of another -> intensity of memory diminished
Re-consolidation from working memory back to LTM, less emotional and vivid