Mixed Deck — All EMDR Topics Flashcards

The ICD-11 requires which two components to be present alongside PTSD symptoms for a diagnosis of Complex PTSD?

Answer: Affect dysregulation and negative self-concept and relational disturbances (DSO cluster)

ICD-11 CPTSD = standard PTSD criteria PLUS the Disturbances in Self-Organization (DSO) triad: affect dysregulation, negative self-concept, and relational disturbances.

What is the primary ethical obligation of a EMDR professional when a conflict of interest arises during emdr with children & adolescents activities?

Answer: Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary

The primary ethical obligation when a conflict of interest arises in emdr with children & adolescents is to disclose it to all relevant parties and, if necessary, recuse from the decision. This maintains professional integrity and stakeholder trust.

What is the recommended approach when using EMDR with survivors of domestic violence who are still in unsafe situations?

Answer: Prioritize safety planning and stabilization; defer trauma processing until the client is safe

Safety is the prerequisite for trauma processing; clients still in abusive environments require safety planning and stabilization resources before EMDR trauma reprocessing begins.

What does the preparation phase in EMDR therapy involve?

Answer: Teaching the patient relaxation and coping techniques

The preparation phase involves establishing a therapeutic relationship, building trust, and teaching the patient relaxation techniques to manage emotional distress during processing.

When using EMDR with older adults, therapists should consider which age-related factor that may affect treatment?

Answer: Sensory limitations (vision, hearing) may require bilateral stimulation method adjustments

Sensory limitations common in older adults, such as reduced vision or hearing, may necessitate switching from eye movements to tactile or auditory bilateral stimulation.

What is the primary ethical obligation of a EMDR professional when a conflict of interest arises during target sequence & memory reprocessing activities?

Answer: Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary

The primary ethical obligation when a conflict of interest arises in target sequence & memory reprocessing is to disclose it to all relevant parties and, if necessary, recuse from the decision. This maintains professional integrity and stakeholder trust.

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of adaptive information processing model as it applies to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing?

Answer: Systematic evaluation and adherence to established industry standards

A fundamental principle of adaptive information processing model in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is the systematic evaluation and adherence to established industry standards, which ensures consistency, quality, and regulatory compliance across all professional activities.

What is the significance of patient feedback in case management?

Answer: To gauge patient satisfaction and refine the treatment approach

Patient feedback is essential for refining treatment plans, gauging patient satisfaction, and ensuring that therapy is meeting their needs.

When adapting EMDR for a client from a collectivist cultural background, which ethical principle requires the therapist to explore how culture shapes the client's trauma experience?

Answer: Cultural competence and sensitivity

Cultural competence obligates therapists to understand how cultural context influences trauma meaning, symptom expression, and acceptable treatment approaches.

Which metaphor is most consistent with the AIP model's description of what EMDR does to frozen traumatic memories?

Answer: Thawing and metabolizing a memory that has been stuck in ice

The AIP model uses language consistent with thawing or unfreezing—allowing the previously blocked processing system to resume moving the memory toward natural adaptive resolution.

When adapting EMDR for grief that does not meet PTSD criteria, which modification is most consistent with current EMDR practice?

Answer: Target the most distressing images or memories of the loss, the moment of notification, or disturbing scenes to process complicated grief reactions

EMDR can be adapted for complicated grief by targeting distressing images, intrusive memories, and painful associations related to the loss.

Which client presentation would most warrant postponing EMDR reprocessing and returning to stabilization work?

Answer: A client who is currently experiencing a domestic violence situation with ongoing threat

Active ongoing threat is a contraindication for trauma reprocessing; safety must be established before processing past trauma.

Which term describes the EMDR phenomenon where a client's SUD level does not decrease despite multiple sets of BLS, often seen in complex trauma cases?

Answer: Blocked processing or looping

Blocked processing (or looping) occurs when SUD remains static or the client returns repeatedly to the same material, requiring a cognitive interweave or modified approach.

What is the primary ethical obligation of a EMDR professional when a conflict of interest arises during adaptive information processing model activities?

Answer: Disclose the conflict to all relevant parties and recuse from the decision if necessary

The primary ethical obligation when a conflict of interest arises in adaptive information processing model is to disclose it to all relevant parties and, if necessary, recuse from the decision. This maintains professional integrity and stakeholder trust.

Why does the AIP model suggest that therapist-provided reassurance alone is insufficient for lasting symptom relief in trauma?

Answer: Reassurance addresses conscious cognitions but not the dysfunctionally stored memory network

Because symptoms arise from dysfunctionally stored memory networks rather than simply from faulty conscious beliefs, reassurance targeting conscious thought does not reach or reprocess the underlying memory.

In complex trauma treatment with EMDR, the 'Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment' (TIST) model by Janina Fisher emphasizes which core principle for affect dysregulation?

Answer: Helping clients befriend and regulate parts rather than suppress them

Fisher's TIST model uses parts language and mindful awareness to help clients develop a compassionate, curious relationship with their parts, building regulation capacity.

What does 'hyperarousal' look like neurobiologically in a trauma survivor during EMDR processing?

Answer: Elevated sympathetic nervous system activity with increased heart rate and anxiety

Hyperarousal in trauma survivors reflects heightened sympathetic nervous system activation, presenting as anxiety, increased heart rate, and heightened vigilance.

What is an essential aspect of managing a therapeutic case in EMDR?

Answer: Assessing progress, adjusting techniques, and ensuring ethical practices

Essential aspects include continuously assessing the patient’s progress, adjusting treatment techniques as needed, and ensuring ethical practices are followed throughout the therapy process.

Which of the following is an example of a maladaptive negative cognition appropriate for Phase 3 targeting?

Answer: 'I am permanently damaged'

Negative cognitions in EMDR are present-tense, self-referential irrational beliefs (e.g., 'I am permanently damaged'), not descriptions of past events or current emotions.

A client who completed EMDR contacts the therapist on social media. The therapist should:

Answer: Decline and explain that boundary maintenance extends beyond active treatment

Professional ethics require maintaining appropriate boundaries with former clients, including declining social media connections that blur the professional relationship.