Get Chapter 10 - EMDR Pain Protocol

Though EMDR is not biblical counseling, it may provide a limited, important degree of usefulness for some Christians under some circumstances.

EMDR has been characterized as pseudoscience, because the underlying theory and primary therapeutic mechanism are unfalsifiable and non-scientific. EMDR's founder and other practitioners have used untestable hypotheses to explain studies which show no effect.

EMDR therapy is a trauma therapy that is sometimes considered controversial. The reasons someone might think it is a controversial therapy option are the potential adverse side effects and the lack of long-term research. EMDR is safe and effective, but there are some risks associated with the therapy.

Increased anxiety and distress In a small number of cases, people report feeling more anxious and distressed after EMDR treatment. This is generally a temporary effect that is most prominent at the beginning of treatment.

EMDR is an eight-phase treatment method. History taking, client preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure and reevaluation of treatment effect are the eight phases of this treatment which are briefly described. A case report is also depicted which indicates the efficacy of EMDR.

In some cases, the pain relief from EMDR may be enough to reduce or eliminate pain medications and reduce disability. It may also improve mood and help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Maximum pain relief generally occurs with a minimum of six to eight EMDR sessions.

Those With Dissociative Disorders Likened to an “out of body” experience, it happens automatically and is beyond control. EMDR should not be administered to people with dissociative disorders, like dissociative amnesia, as people with these conditions feel emotionally detached.

All clients reported substantially decreased pain levels, decreased negative affect, and increased ability to control their pain following treatment. These results indicate that EMDR may be efficacious in the treatment of chronic pain and that further research is warranted.