Brief Summary
This interview with Francine Shapiro, the founder of EMDR, explores the history of the therapy, its development, and its potential for the future. Shapiro discusses the discovery of EMDR, the challenges she faced in getting it accepted, and the ongoing research into its effectiveness. She emphasizes that EMDR is not just a technique but a form of psychotherapy with a distinct information processing model. She believes that EMDR can be applied to a wide range of mental health issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. Shapiro expresses hope that EMDR will be used globally to alleviate suffering and promote peace.
- EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that involves accessing and processing traumatic memories.
- EMDR is not just for trauma but can be applied to a wide range of mental health issues.
- EMDR is a powerful tool for alleviating suffering and promoting peace.
The Discovery of EMDR
Shapiro describes how she discovered EMDR while working on her dissertation. She noticed that her own disturbing thoughts would disappear when her eyes moved rapidly in a certain way. She then experimented with this eye movement technique on others and found that it had a similar effect. She realised that the eye movements were not simply a relaxation device but were somehow facilitating the processing of traumatic memories.
Developing EMDR and Facing Criticism
Shapiro discusses the challenges she faced in getting EMDR accepted by the mainstream psychology community. She encountered resistance from some therapists who saw EMDR as a threat to their own practices. She also faced criticism from those who believed that EMDR was simply an exposure technique with superfluous eye movements. Shapiro explains that she insisted on training for therapists to ensure client safety and that this caused further controversy.
The Neurobiology of EMDR
Shapiro discusses the ongoing research into the neurobiology of EMDR. She believes that EMDR works by facilitating the processing of traumatic memories in a way that is similar to REM sleep. She also explains that EMDR differs from exposure therapy in that it is believed to change the original traumatic memory rather than simply creating a new memory that competes with it. Shapiro emphasizes the need for further research to definitively prove the effectiveness of EMDR and to understand its underlying mechanisms.
EMDR as a Psychotherapy
Shapiro explains why it is important to view EMDR as a psychotherapy rather than just a technique. She argues that EMDR is guided by a distinct information processing model and that it is on par with other forms of psychotherapy such as psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy. She emphasizes that EMDR is not simply about desensitization but about accessing and processing traumatic memories in order to facilitate healing and growth.
The Future of EMDR
Shapiro expresses her hope for the future of EMDR. She believes that EMDR has the potential to be a powerful tool for alleviating suffering and promoting peace in a world plagued by violence and trauma. She envisions a future where EMDR is widely available and used to help people heal from the effects of trauma and to build a more peaceful and compassionate world.
