THE APPLICATION OF EMDR-THERAPY IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/psy-2025-6-23Keywords:
EMDR therapy, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, bipolar disorderAbstract
In light of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine faces an unprecedented mental health crisis caused by mass traumatization. Millions of Ukrainians have experienced bombings, occupation, loss of loved ones, and forced displacement, necessitating effective psychological assistance. EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) can help in the processing of these traumatic memories. The aim of our study was to analyze current scientific data on the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in clinical psychology. EMDR is based on the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. This model posits that psychopathology, especially trauma-related, arises when traumatic memories have not been properly “digested” or integrated into memory. They remain “locked” in a dysfunctional memory network, retaining their emotional and physical charge, which leads to PTSD symptoms (e.g., flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, avoidance, hyperarousal). The effectiveness of EMDR therapy in treating Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is demonstrated in several meta-analyses, which have definitively recognized EMDR as a psychotherapy of choice for treating PTSD in children, adolescents, and adults. Research indicates that EMDR engages fundamental cognitive processes such as attention, memory, and associative learning, which are critically important for understanding and treating depression. EMDR therapy has also been piloted in patients with bipolar disorder and comorbid trauma, showing positive results in reducing symptoms of depression, hypomania, and trauma. Overall, the application of EMDR therapy is relevant due to its proven effectiveness in treating traumatic and other mental disorders, its potential for scalability in global crises, and the growing need for effective psychological assistance in post-conflict regions. In the context of Ukraine, where the level of traumatization is extraordinarily high, the study and implementation of EMDR therapy take on particular significance for the restoration of the nation's mental health.
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