40 Questions
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing targets traumatic material exclusively.
False
Trauma always leads to integration and adaptive resolution under normal conditions.
False
In EMDR, the therapist provides bilateral stimulation continuously without any breaks to ensure adequate processing.
False
Memory Networks are organized around the latest related event.
False
The EMDR model proposes that eye movements are unnecessary for the therapy's effectiveness.
False
Desensitization in EMDR involves sounds or taps but not side-to-side eye movements.
False
In EMDR, targets refer to a positive event or memory for use as an initial focus for therapy.
False
The primary goal with the forensic population should not focus on ensuring safety.
False
Trauma always leads to immediate and adaptive resolution under normal conditions.
False
EMDR is primarily focused on resolving symptoms from happy and resolved life experiences.
False
In EMDR therapy, during the Body Scan phase, the client is asked if any pain, stress, or discomfort is felt in their body.
True
In EMDR, the client's memory target is always selected by the client themselves.
False
EMDR therapy primarily focuses on addressing past traumatic memories and does not consider present-day stressors.
False
The Pathways Model of sexual offending discourages exploring vulnerability factors as part of legitimate treatment targets for sex offenders.
False
In EMDR, Desensitization involves engaging in up and down eye movements while focusing on the traumatic event.
False
EMDR is solely focused on targeting physical sensations and does not address negative beliefs or emotional states.
False
The goal of Phase VI in EMDR is to strengthen negative beliefs associated with traumatic events.
False
In EMDR therapy, the therapist directly gives supporting information to the client during Phase VII: Closure.
True
Forensic clients who have acted out criminally or sexually against others are treated in the same way as trauma victims who internalize their trauma.
False
The main focus of EMDR therapy is to work on unresolved life experiences and does not incorporate future aspects of disturbing memories.
False
Butterfly taps is an example of Unilateral Stimulation
False
Francine Shapiro developed the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) model to address present and future aspects of disturbing memories
False
EMDR is primarily focused on addressing physical sensations related to trauma
False
EMDR can be completed in one session for complex problems
False
Trauma-related disorders can result from exposure to distressing events such as military combat
True
The three-pronged approach in EMDR addresses Present-day stressors, Future stressors, and Desired thoughts
False
Bilateral Stimulation (BS) involves using something you can taste, hear, or see
False
EMDR received a C/D rating from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)
False
EMDR targets only emotional states and disturbing symptoms
False
According to Shapiro, EMDR's eye movements are unnecessary for the therapy's effectiveness
False
In EMDR therapy, the memory target is usually selected by the client themselves.
False
Bilateral stimulation in EMDR involves side-to-side eye movements, sounds, or taps that continue until the client's SUD reduces to zero, allowing new thoughts to emerge.
False
In EMDR, the therapist and client discuss recently processed memories to determine future treatment targets in Phase VIII.
False
The Pathways Model of sexual offending focuses on targeting criminogenic needs in the forensic population.
False
In EMDR, the therapist is more likely to reprocess the memory linked with the offense drivers when dealing with clients who have sexually offended.
True
Trauma can lead to persistent intrusive positive beliefs.
False
According to research, individuals with criminal careers have lower levels of adverse childhood experiences compared to the general population.
False
In Phase IV of EMDR, desensitization involves bilateral stimulation that is initiated when SUD reduces to zero or 1.
True
The Relapse Prevention model focused on high-risk situations while the Pathways Model considered vulnerability factors for sex offenders.
True
EMDR targets disturbing events and beliefs by activating brain systems typically stimulated during deep sleep.
False
Study Notes
EMDR Introduction
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a form of psychotherapy that resolves symptoms from disturbing and unresolved life experiences
- Developed by Francine Shapiro to resolve trauma-related disorders resulting from exposure to traumatic or distressing events (e.g., sexual assault, military combat)
Physiological Information Processing System
- Everyone has a physiological information processing system that processes experiences to an adaptive state
- This processing occurs during thinking, talking, expressive activities, or dreaming
- Information is stored in Memory Networks (images, thoughts, feelings) organized around the earliest related event
Traumatization
- Traumatization is a disruption of the natural information processing system that normally leads to integration and adaptive resolution following upsetting experiences
- In trauma, the experience remains frozen – persistent intrusive thoughts, negative emotions, unpleasant body sensations
EMDR Therapy
- EMDR specifically targets traumatic material and restarts the stalled information processing in a focused manner
- Facilitates resolution of traumatic memories through neurophysiological networks storing positive information
- Bilateral stimulation (BS) is used to process traumatic memories and associated cognitions, emotions, and somatic distress
- BS involves using something seen, heard, or felt and crossing the body in a rhythmic pattern (e.g., butterfly taps)
EMDR Process
- Phase I: History and Treatment Planning - discuss client's history and create a treatment plan
- Phase II: Preparation - identify a safe place and comfortable feelings/memory for use in case of incomplete sessions
- Phase III: Assessment - develop a target for EMDR (disturbing issue, event, feeling, or memory)
- Phase IV: Desensitization - use bilateral stimulation to process the traumatic event
- Phase V: Installation - strengthen a positive belief associated with the target event
- Phase VI: Body Scan - identify any remaining physical discomfort or pain
- Phase VII: Closure - return to a state of calm and discuss reprocessed memories
- Phase VIII: Reevaluation - review progress and determine future targets for treatment
EMDR with Sexual Offenders
- EMDR is used in forensic settings to address childhood trauma and adversity contributing to criminal behavior
- Adaptations for forensic settings include:
- Focus on community safety
- Close coordination with stakeholders
- Mandated treatment may inhibit client motivation
- Using BLS with the client's offense as the target memory
- Selecting the memory target instead of the client
Future Research Directions
-
Researching the utility of EMDR with sex offenders and forensic populations
-
Addressing childhood adversity and its contribution to antisocial behavior### Phases of EMDR Therapy
-
Phase III: Assessment - Identify a target with a snapshot image, negative cognition (NC), and a positive cognition.
-
Phase IV: Desensitization - Use bilateral stimulation (BLS) to reduce Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD) to 0 or 1.
-
Phase V: Installation - Strengthen a positive cognition and associate it with the target event.
-
Phase VI: Body Scan - Check for any bodily pain, stress, or discomfort and use BLS to address it.
-
Phase VII: Closure - Help the client return to a calm state, regardless of reprocessing completion.
-
Phase VIII: Reevaluation - Review recently processed memories to ensure low distress and strong positive cognition.
EMDR with Sexual Offenders
- Sexual offenders have higher levels of adverse childhood experiences than the general population.
- The Pathways Model of sexual offending considers etiological factors as legitimate treatment targets.
- EMDR therapy can be used to address childhood trauma and adversity contributing to sexual offending.
Adaptations for Forensic Settings
- Focus on community safety and consider the client's criminal behavior in treatment.
- Coordination with stakeholders is crucial, and mandated treatment can affect client motivation.
- Use of BLS with the client's offence as the target memory is an unconventional practice.
- The therapist often selects the memory target, which may be linked to the offence drivers.
Future Research Directions
- Research the utility of EMDR with forensic populations, given the high prevalence of adverse childhood experiences.
- The Pathways Model and focus on criminogenic needs have impacted the sex offender and forensic treatment fields.
Test your knowledge about Phases III and IV of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Learn about the assessment phase where a target image is identified, along with negative and positive cognitions, and the desensitization phase where the client undergoes desensitization to the disturbing target.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
