Behavior OnLine EMDR Forum Archive, 1999

    Re: Lying--An common EMDR problem?
    Brian G · 4/27/00 at 2:06 am ET

    While it is certainly true that sometimes clients lie to therapists in general, I feel that the chances of lying are increased with a treatment such as EMDR.

    It happens to be the old Procrustean problem. Many have criticized EMDR as being a one-size-fits-all therapy. The treatment was originally marketed to treat those suffering from traumatic memories and was therefore said to be relevent for the treatment of PTSD and other related disorders. However, over time it has been used for almost every other problem imaginable (including those that are typically not associated with any traumatic memories). The whole procedure is predicated on finding a traumatic memory to "work on" in session. This is what the therapist is looking for so that he/she can use the treatment. Therefore, it would not seem unusual to me that these strong demand characteristics by the therapist may lead some clients to "produce" a memory in session (perhaps based on wanting to please the therapist), even if the person doesn't really have what the therapist is looking for. This also is a growing controversy in the field and many professionals are becoming quite critical of those who wish to take a pet theory and overgeneralize it to the point of making it an integral "cause" of a diverse array of problems.

    Also, I would disagree with the previous post that recommends hypnotherapy as the next option. If there's one way to find "memories" that really don't exist--that's the method to use!

    Sincerely,

    Brian


    Replies:
    • Re: Lying--An common EMDR problem?, by Tired of this whole thing, 4/27/00
      • Well Done Brian. I think we have finally found a potential gap in this therapy. Let The Debate Begin, by Civil Rights, 4/27/00
        • Re: Well Done Brian. I think we have finally found a potential gap in this therapy. Let The Debate Begin, by Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D., 4/27/00
      • Re: Lying--An common EMDR problem?, by Layperson, 4/27/00
        • Re: Lying--An common EMDR problem?, by Robert P. O'Brien, Ph.D., 4/28/00
          • Re: Lying--An common EMDR problem?, by Brian G, 4/29/00
            • Re: Lying--An common EMDR problem?, by Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D., 4/29/00
              • Re: Lying--An common EMDR problem?, by Brian G, 4/29/00
                • Re: Signature , by Curious, 4/30/00
                • Beyond a Helpful Skepticism --, by Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D., 4/30/00
                  • Re: Beyond a Helpful Skepticism -- Indeed, by contributor, 4/30/00
                  • Re: Beyond Advertising, by Brian G, 5/1/00
                  • Re: Beyond Advertising, by Sandra Paulsen Ph.D., 5/1/00
                  • Re: Beyond Advertising, by Brian G, 5/1/00
                  • Re: Beyond Advertising, by Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D., 5/1/00
                  • Re: Beyond Advertising, by contributor, 5/1/00
                  • Re: Beyond Advertising, by Brian , 5/2/00
                  • Re: Beyond Advertising, by M.C., 5/8/00
                  • Re: Beyond Advertising, by Brad Alford, Ph.D., 5/14/00
                  • Re: Helpful Skepticism , by , 5/9/00
      • Re: Lying--An common EMDR problem?, by Don, 4/29/00
        • On Distortions, Biases & Many Voices, by Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D., 4/29/00
    • Re: Lying--An common EMDR problem?, by Sandra Paulsen, Ph.D., 4/27/00
    • Re: Lying--An common EMDR problem?, by , 4/28/00

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