Re:EMDR Referral / the risks / how long before it begins to work?

The following general comments are offered to all seeking to make good decisions on selecting EMDR therapists.

First, there are few controlled studies on the use of EMDR with panic disorder or social phobia, though there are some case reports of success. These are applications of EMDR that should be considered experimental.

In checking out the qualifications of an EMDR therapist, I'd make sure that they are

1) trained by the EMDR Institute or by an EMDRIA approved training site, and have had both Level I and Level II.

2) better yet, an EMDRIA certified EMDR therapist or consultant (a higher standard)

3) familiar with the protocols for panic and phobias, and how they are different from the standard EMDR protocol for PTSD.

4) alternatively to 3), they might have taken the Strategic Developmental Model training, which theory informs us may be beneficial for these two symptom pictures as it formulates a systematic approach to early childhood traumas and family issues that may be likely to underly panic and social phobia,

5) as always, familiar with the screening procedure for red flags contraindicating proceeding straight away with EMDR wtihout appropriate safety measures, containment, stabilization, and so forth.

6) finally, if you aren't comfortable or don't feel safe with a given therapist, that's important information.

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