Treating Cognitive Distortions with EMDR: A Case Study of a Sex Offender

Abstract

This single-case study illustrates how eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be of use in the treatment of cognitive distortions in sex offenders who themselves have been victimized in their childhood. A 56-year-old man did not perceive his childhood sexual experiences as negative. As a consequence, he could not see any harm in his own offending in later life. He spent one year in cognitive-behavioral group therapy barely making any progress. After nine EMDR sessions, most cognitive distortions appeared to be resolved. He was able to attend his group sessions in a more open and involved manner.

Examination of the Effectiveness of EMDR Intervention in Children with Animal Phobias: Case Study

“…EMDR intervention consists of a series of steps, including history taking, client preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and reevaluation (Greenwald, 2004;Shapiro, 2012). EMDR intervention can enhance accessing the details of disturbing memories and accelerate their reprocessing by focusing on the sensory components (affective, cognitive, and somatic) in the experience (Shapiro, 2002), and it continues until the traumatic memory no longer brings emotional distress and a positive and adaptive perspective towards the traumatic memory is established (Ten Hoor, 2013). In conclusion, with EMDR, it is possible for individuals to strengthen their positive cognitions instead of negative cognitions, replace negative emotions with positive emotions, and reprocess a memory related to a phobic condition by emphasizing a clear beginning.…”