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EMDR and Psychotherapy Integration: Theoretical and Clinical Suggestions with Focus on Traumatic Stress (Innovations in Psychology)

by: Howard Lipke
en

0849306302  9780849306303  9781420048438 



EMDR and Psychotherapy Integration: Theoretical and Clinical Suggestions with Focus on Traumatic Stress (Innovations in Psychology)
By Howard Lipke




Product Description:

Initially regarded as one of the most peculiar methods of psychotherapy ever devised, EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) was introduced to psychotherapists 11 years ago when Dr. Francine Shapiro reported demonstrable rapidly effective treatment results. An early endorsement by the late Dr. Joseph Wolpe, a founder of behavior therapy, and confirmatory research studies have led to wide and rapid acceptance by practitioners. Dr. Howard Lipke, the first clinician authorized by Dr. Shapiro to independently offer EMDR training, has written a book which elaborates on Shapiro's Accelerated Information Processing model in offering what Lipke calls the Four Activity Model (FAM) of Psychotherapy. This model advances the integration of EMDR theory and practice with dynamic, behavioral and humanistic methods, as well as with previous prominent integrative models. Recognizing the commonalities in human healing/growth traditions, the text also offers therapeutic suggestions for use of EMDR that rely on the wisdom of previously established psychotherapies as well as that of religion and philosophy. While there is an emphasis on combat-related psychological problems, Dr. Lipke demonstrates how combat trauma and treatment contain the elements of a broad range of potentially traumatic events and the treatment of destructive stress reactions. Indeed, Dr. Lipke's EMDR and Psychotherapy Integration has helped satisfy the need for a scholarly work on this demonstrably effective method of psychotherapy.




Summary: The Thinking Person's Guide to EMDR
Rating: 5

Lipke's integrative model of psychotherapy is a very helpful framework from which to make sense of EMDR and of psychotherapy in general. He proposes that therapy is based on a Four Activity Model (FAM): accessing current information, introducing new information, facilitating information processing, and inhibition of information processing. While this framework is invaluable in thinking about EMDR, it also pres a lens through which other therapeutic approaches can be viewed, and helps to suggest why simplistic efforts at therapy (like just giving advice) will be less than helpful.

I use this book in my graduate level EMDR course. It does an excellent job of integrating both theory and research findings into EMDR practice. In addition, Lipke's shares many examples of his use of EMDR with combat veterans; the metaphors and other information he presents to his clients are well-suited to many clients, especially men.

This book will be most useful to intellectual readers who have a strong interest in EMDR practice AND theory. When my students ask what book about EMDR they should recommend to skeptical mental health professionals, this is the one I suggest.



Summary: Well researched and documented
Rating: 5

This is a somewhat technical exposition of EMDR as well as a more general theory of psychology. It will probably be most helpful to professionals in the field but also offers a lot to interested laypeople.

As for EMDR itself, I haven't tried it but I know several people who have and feel that it has helped them. This book helps to explain why.