An integrative approach to narrative therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Date
2005-04
Authors
De Villiers, Elizabeth Fredericka
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: As I engaged in a therapy journey with a single client, the possibilities for research on the integrative use of narrative therapy and EMDR unfolded. I investigated recent literature and realised that much had been written about narrative therapy as single approach to therapy within the postmodern paradigm. There was also extensive writing on EMDR and its integrative use with other therapies in assisting people who struggle with upsetting memories of trauma. Since I was unable to find any literature to date on the integrative use of narrative therapy and EMDR, I realized that there was much to be discovered and learned on such an integrative research journey. The client's experiences and descriptions of overwhelming emotional distress (as the problem in her life) during the process of integration was the main focus of this qualitative case study. During our therapy conversations knowledges were gathered and deconstructed. Video or tape recordings, photographs, work with clay, sketches, letters and other documents were useful in keeping track of the research journey. A reflecting team and the participation of the client's boyfriend contributed and enriched both the therapy and research journeys.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Tydens terapeutiese werk met 'n enkele kliënt het die moontlikhede van navorsing oor die integrasie van narratiewe terapie en EMDR vir my 'n werklikheid geword. Ek het onlangse navorsing bestudeer en besef dat narratiewe terapie as 'n enkele benadering tot terapie binne die post-moderne paradigma, al 'n geruime tyd lank nagevors is. Daar bestaan ook literatuur oor EMDR en die integrasie daarvan met ander terapeutiese benaderings in die ondersteuning van persone wat probleme ondervind met ontstellende herinnerings van trauma. Aangesien ek tot op hede geen literatuur oor die integrasie van narratiewe terapie en EMDR kon vind nie, het ek vermoed dat 'n navorsingsreis op hierdie terrein verskeie ontdekkings en die ontginning van nuwe kennis moontlik sou maak. Die fokus van hierdie kwalitatiewe gevallestudie val op die kliënt se belewing en beskrywings van oorweldigende emosies (as probleem in haar lewe) tydens die terapeutiese integrasieproses. Waarhede of kennis is tydens terapiegesprekke versamel en gedekonstrueer. Video- of bandopnames, foto's, kleiwerk, sketse, briewe en ander dokumente was waardevol om die koers van die navorsingsreis aan te dui. Insette en deelname van 'n refekterende span, asook die kliënt se kêrel, het beide die terapie- en navorsingsreise verryk en uitgebrei.
Description
Thesis (MEdPsych)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.
Keywords
Narrative therapy, Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, Psychic trauma, Theses -- Education, Dissertations -- Education
Citation