Applying eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to the treatment of traumatized children: Five case studies

Citation: Greenwald, R. (1994). Applying eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to the treatment of traumatized children: Five case studies. Anxiety Disorders Practice Journal, 1, 83-97.

 

Abstract

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a recently developed psychotherapy method which appears to increase efficiency in treating trauma-based psychological disturbance. Applications to child treatment were explored in five case studies of children suffering from post-traumatic symptoms several months after Hurricane Andrew. Subjects were treated with one or two EMDR sessions, until Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUDS) went to 0. Follow-up parent interviews at one and four weeks post-treatment found all subjects returning to pre-trauma levels of functioning, with additional improvement in some cases. Further study is recommended.

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