EMDR Therapy, Mindfulness, and Posttraumatic Growth
The Oxford Handbook of EMDR Therapy June 20, 2024 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780192898357.013.38 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key points | Argues that mindfulness is the foundation of EMDR therapy and a key mechanism of action, and proposes that EMDR therapists should cultivate a personal mindfulness practice as part of their professional development. |
Abstract
Abstract Mindfulness heavily influenced Dr. Shapiro as she developed EMDR therapy and it constitutes the foundation of the standard EMDR protocol. Many scholars and practitioners also accept that mindfulness, described as the practice of returning to or remaining in the present moment without judgment, is one of the mechanisms of action for successful EMDR. Mindfulness is the heart of Buddhist meditation, although the ubiquitous phenomenon for healing and growth presents in many spiritual traditions throughout the globe and can also be practiced in a secular context. This chapter explores various approaches to mindfulness and explains its true meaning for EMDR therapists. Such knowledge will allow them to appreciate more fully EMDR history, the EMDR standard protocol, and the importance of working with mindfulness practices in all phases of EMDR therapy. A case is also made for how cultivating a personal mindfulness practice is imperative throughout training and development as practitioners of EMDR therapy.