Treating Depression with EMDR Therapy: Techniques and Interventions

Delivers the Evidence-Based Gold-Standard EMDR Protocol for Ameliorating Depression

This groundbreaking book introduces EMDR-DeprEnd, a pathogenic memory-based EMDR therapy approach. DeprEnd has been demonstrated in a number of studies and meta-analyses to be at least as effective—and often more effective—than other guideline-based therapies in treating depression, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). EMDR-DeprEnd is particularly helpful with chronic and recurrent depression that does not respond well to other treatments. Written by the international research team who developed this quick-acting and efficient therapy, the text provides clinicians with the evidence-based tools they need to integrate EMDR-DeprEnd into their practices.

This text explains in depth a step-by-step approach to processing the pathogenic memory structures that are the basis of most depressive disorders and ways to address both depressive and suicidal states. Real-world case studies incorporate the often-co-occurring trauma-based disorders found in depressive patients. These are practical “how-to” chapters, including one devoted to drawing integration with numerous examples of actual patient drawings as clients go through the EMDR process. Abundant illustrations enhance understanding of stress and trauma-based depressive disorders and the successful interventions that improve client outcomes. Protocol scripts for therapist and client also help prepare readers to provide optimal treatment to their clients.

Key Features:

• Authored by the international research team who developed this touchstone EMDR therapy treatment
• Helps with chronic and recurrent depression especially if it is resistant to guideline-based treatments, including CBT
• Demonstrates step-by-step how to apply the DeprEnd protocol using real-world case examples
• Describes how EMDR’s neurobiological working mechanism effectively treats depression
• Includes protocol scripts and a review of randomized controlled trials related to EMDR and depression
• Illustrates how DeprEnd protocol reduces depressive relapses

Arne Hofmann, MD, PhD, is a specialist in psychosomatic and internal medicine, director of the EMDR Institute and senior physician of the Gezeitenhaus Clinic for Psychosomatics, Psychotraumatology and EMDR in Schloss Eichholz (Wesseling). He introduced the EMDR method in Germany in 1991, is co-founder and honorary member of the German-speaking professional society for psychotraumatology (DeGPT) and the professional societies for EMDR Europe and EMDRIA Germany. He researches and teaches internationally in the field of treatment of trauma sequelae and depression. He has been awarded international prizes and the Federal Cross of Merit for his work.

Luca Ostacoli, MD, is a psychiatrist. He is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Turin, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery; Head of the Clinical and Psychosomatic Psychology Service at S. Luigi Hospital (Orbassano, Turin, from 2001 to 2016); on the Clinical Obstetric Gynecological Psychology Service (from 2016 to present; on the Psychotraumatology and Health Staff Support Service (City of Health and Science Hospital of Turin from 2019 to present). He is a member of the International Research Consortia and author of numerous scientific publications in the field of trauma-focused interventions, EMDR and Mindfulness and their neurobiological correlates. He is co-founder of the academic spin off MindToMove. He is a psychotherapist with Body Dynamics training. He is an EMDR Supervisor, and Trainer in Clinical Mindfulness and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. He conducts training seminars on psychotherapy. In 2018, he was awarded the EMDR International Association Award and in 2019 the Francine Shapiro Award from EMDR Europe.

Maria Lehnung, PhD, is a psychological psychotherapist, did research at the University of Kiel with a neurobiological focus and is now in private practice with a psychotraumatological focus. In addition, she is active as a lecturer and supervisor and EMDR-Europe trainer. From the beginning of her work with EMDR, she was fascinated by the procedure and its possibilities and interested in finding creative ways of using EMDR even with difficult patients. For years she has been involved in the scientific research of EMDR therapy. She was instrumental in developing the concept of treating depression with EMDR.