Question

From: http://skepdic.com/emdr.html

“It may well be that those using EMDR are effecting the cures they claim and thereby benefiting many victims of horrible experiences such as rape, war, terrorism, murder or suicide of a loved one, etc. It may well be that those using EMDR are directing their patients to restructure their memories, so that the horrible emotive aspect of an experience is no longer associated with the memory of the experience. But, for now, the question still remains, whether the rapid eye movement part of the treatment is essential. In fact, one of the control studies cited by Shapiro seems counter-indicative:

In a controlled component analysis study of 17 chronic outpatient veterans, using a crossover design, subjects were randomly divided into two EMDR groups, one using eye movement and a control group that used a combination of forced eye fixation, hand taps, and hand waving. Six sessions were administered for a single memory in each condition. Both groups showed significant decreases in self-reported distress, intrusion, and avoidance symptoms (Pitman et al. 1996).

Maybe hand taps will work just as well as eye movements. According to one EMDR practitioner, Dr. Edward Hume,

...taps to hands, right and left, sounds alternating ear-to-ear, and even alternating movements by the patient can work instead. The key seems to be the alternating stimulation of the two sides of the brain.

According to Dr. Hume, Shapiro now calls the treatment Reprocessing Therapy and says that eye movements aren't necessary for the treatment! Maybe none of these movements are needed to restructure memory. In short, EMDR is a scientifically controversial technique at present. This has not prevented thousands of practitioners from being certificated to practice EMDR by Shapiro and disciples.”

My question, why is it assumed (first thought eye movements now any bilateral stimulation) by EMDR therapist that the bilateral stimulation is causing the change in feelings, emotions, thought processes, etc., rather than it being the therapist and client communication/trust/belief systems? Could it be the beliefs from the therapist that this therapy will/does work which the client absorbs and comes to believe. When in actuality it is the combined assumptions and the communication/trust/belief systems which are truly at work?

Replies:

Re:Question, by , 11/18/03 Re:Question, by Sandra Paulsen PhD, 11/18/03

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