- Course CPD Units: 2 – Clinical
COURSE STRUCTURE
Upon completion of this module practitioners should have a clear understanding of:
- EMDR is a highly evidence-based, first-line treatment for PTSD, supported by numerous clinical trials and guidelines.
- Its effectiveness is linked to taxing working memory (often via eye movements) while recalling traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact.
- EMDR is effective across diverse populations and conditions, but ongoing research is needed for further optimization and cultural adaptation.
Introduction
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with support from more than 30 published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrating its effectiveness in both adults and children. Most international clinical practice guidelines recommend EMDR therapy as a first-line treatment for PTSD. This paper describes the current state of the evidence for EMDR therapy. We begin with a brief description of EMDR therapy and its theoretical framework. Next, we summarize the scientific support for its efficacy, effectiveness, and safety and discuss its applicability across cultures and with diverse populations. We conclude with suggestions for future directions to develop the research base and applications of EMDR therapy.
- Read the supplied reading material and complete the quiz that follows;
- You have three attempts to pass the quiz;
- The pass grade is 70%;
- You need to pass the quiz to claim your CPD certificate.
