ABSTRACT
Both eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and energy methods are effective—considerably more so, for many problems, than conventional psychotherapeutic methods. The treatment of simple post-traumatic stress disorder, which was the starting point for EMDR, is structurally simple. Essentially, the traumatic memories are processed and the patient then feels better. Psychoanalytically orientated practitioners who are comfortable incorporating EMDR into their work include Grand, Manfield and Wachtel, while a Jungian perspective is presented by Magliano. EMDR or an energy method may have less relevance in complex cases. However, wherever effectiveness and efficiency of the therapeutic work is a consideration, the selective inclusion of EMDR or emotional freedom techniques may be of help. Many emotional aspects of traumatic experience and psycho-dynamic conflict can be processed relatively easily. The experienced clinician becomes able to identify during general free-associative enquiry core beliefs, fantasies, and self-defining anxieties, as well as the associated protective and defensive strategies.
