Dangers of EMDR

I recently started therapy. The practioner is very interested in EMDR and is trained in this modality. I have been reading about it and researching it, and have some concerns.

1. Can EMDR cause neurological damage? I've read cases of people developing tics and stuttering after EMDR treatments. One person developed Dyslexia. Many have experienced disruptions in their menstrual cycles.

2. Memories have probably been repressed for a reason. Is it wise to unleash them so powerfully and painfully?

3. Where are the studies proving EMDR's effectiveness? All I have been able to find are critics. The people who support it do it for a living. Are there independent studies?

I'd appreciate any feedback. This is a major decision, and I want to make sure I am making the right one.

Diane

Replies:

Re:Dangers of EMDR, by Sandra Paulsen Inobe,PhD, 02/04/03 Re:Dangers of EMDR, by McFall, 02/05/03 Re:Dangers of EMDR, by Sandra Paulsen Inobe PhD, 02/05/03 What is exposure therapy?, by Cahill, 02/05/03 Re:What is exposure therapy?, by client, 02/05/03 Exposure and retraumatization, by Cahill, 02/05/03 Re:Exposure and retraumatization, by Sandra Paulsen Inobe PhD, 02/06/03 Re:Exposure and retraumatization, by client, 02/06/03 Re:Exposure in the real world, by Client, 02/07/03 Re:Exposure in the real world, by Cahill, 02/07/03 Re:Exposure in the real world, by Ulrich Lanius, Ph.D., 02/07/03 Re:Exposure and retraumatization, by Cahill, 02/07/03 Re:Exposure and retraumatization, by Sandra Paulsen Inobe, PhD, 02/10/03 Disseminating exposure therapy, by Cahill, 02/10/03 Retelling the Story, by Sandra Paulsen Inobe, PhD, 02/10/03 Re:Retelling the Story, by Cahill, 02/10/03 Re:Retelling the Story, by Sandra Paulsen Inobe PhD, 02/10/03 Re: Exposure & common factors, by McFall, 02/05/03 Re: Exposure & common factors, by Ulrich Lanius, Ph.D., 02/07/03 Re: Comments for Ulrich, by Cahill, 02/07/03 Re: Dissociation and emotion, by Fred H., 02/08/03 Re: Dissociation and emotion, by Cahill, 02/08/03 Re: Dissociation and emotion, by Fred H., 02/09/03 Re: Comments for Ulrich, by Ulrich Lanius, Ph.D., 02/10/03 2 cents worth, by Sandra Paulsen Inobe, PhD, 02/10/03 Exposure therapy and Borderline Personality Disorder, by Cahill, 02/11/03 Re:Exposure therapy and Borderline Personality Disorder, by Ulrich Lanius, Ph.D., 02/12/03 Re:Exposure therapy and Borderline Personality Disorder, by Cahill, 02/12/03 One more thing for Ulrich, by Cahill, 02/12/03

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