Francine Shapiro's Therapeutic Theory

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In 1987, Francine Shapiro was walking in a park while moving her eyes from side to side and noticed a reduction in undesirable emotions she was experiencing from disturbing memories. She presumed the desensitizing effect was a result of her eye movement. She later learned isolated eye movement did not produce the complete therapeutic effect and added treatment features to include cognitive components (EMDR Institute, 2017). In order to explain her intervention, Francine Shapiro, developed an information processing theory. She did this to help predict and clarify the treatment effects that were seen with EMDR. Shapiro’s theory was based on the body’s information processing system and its ability to process information physiologically (EMDR Institute, 2017). When an individual has experienced trauma there can be adverse effects psychologically (Shapiro, 2014). A strong relationship has been shown in research between trauma and the development of dissociative disorders, borderline …show more content…

The client takes a body scan in the sixth phase. They scan their body to see if there is any tension remaining related to the distressing image. If so, the therapist will target this tension in the body through further processing (Menon & Jayan, 2010). The therapist is looking for the moment when the client can think of the distressing image and report no negative sensations (Shapiro and Maxfield, n.d.). 7. In the seventh phase, the therapist decides if the memory has adequately been processed. If not, the therapist will assist the client with self-calming techniques. The client is told they can continue to process after the session by keeping a journal related to insights, memories, emotions, and dreams that may arise (Shapiro and Maxfield, n.d.). 8. Phase eight is a reevaluation and takes place at the beginning of each EMDR session. The client’s journal is reviewed and attention will be given to new issues or distressing images that need to be

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