labelling and polarization

Shawn:

Oh dear, I apologize. I guess I reacted to your use of the labels “EMDR supporters” and “EMDR advocates.” I am frustrated by the polarization surrounding EMDR, and suspect that labels such as “EMDR advocates” and “EMDR critics” help to perpetuate this in-group/out-group situation. (I recognize that this is a two-sided situation.) Identifying someone as an “EMDR supporter” minimizes the other aspects of their identity. It is as though, because I have spoken positively about EMDR, I am no longer perceived as a rational objective scientist, and my allegiance to cognitive behavioral principles and CBT is ignored.

I feel quite strongly that the time has come to put aside the political issues. Surely we can all agree on the superordinate goals of identifying mechanisms of action and predictors of client response and good outcome, and working to develop better treatments. The politicization robs us of resources, of our time and energy, and is IMO completely nonproductive. I hope that we can dialogue and work together to accomplish these important goals, as each “group” has knowledge and perspectives that can inform the whole. I am personally committed to this process.

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