A client with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) asks the nurse about this eye movement, desensitization, and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment. The nurse explains that this treatment:

Question

A) Takes a long time because you have to have counseling sessions a minimum of twice a week.
B) Guides the client through images of the trauma, allowing for progressive desensitization.
C) Blocks the trauma from appearing in the client's psychological frame using carefully placed electrical stimuli.
D) Helps the client understand why recovering from the trauma is difficult and gives them new ways of coping.

Answer 1

Ans: B
EDMR is a process of reviewing and visualizing disturbing memories of traumatic or distressing experiences to reduce the long-term impact of the events. The client is guided through images of the trauma, allowing for progressive desensitization. Under deep relaxation, the client maintains an image of the traumatic event while focusing on the lateral movement of the clinician's finger. This recent approach has been successful in minimizing the fear response and avoidance pattern of those with PTSD. Counseling, blocking trauma via electrical stimuli, and using cognitive processing therapy are not a part of EDMR, but are separate possible treatment plans.