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What Is the Actual Procedure of EMDR Like?

By Nancy Schimelpfening, About.com

Updated: August 24, 2006

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Question: What Is the Actual Procedure of EMDR Like?
Answer: An example of how a session might go is this:

The patient makes himself comfortable. The patient and therapist discuss what issues they will work on in this particular session. The therapist sits to the patient's side and holds her three middle fingers together similar to a Boy Scout's salute, but about six inches in front of the patient's eyes. The patient is instructed to follow the fingers as the therapist moves them rhythmically back and forth in front of his eyes. The patient then attempts to remember the particular event as the therapist continues the movement. The whole procedure lasts for perhaps five minutes at which time the therapist withdraws her fingers. Patient and therapist then further discuss what has been remembered.

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