A Clinician's Guide for Treating Active Military and Veteran Populations with EMDR Therapy

Based on the profound expertise of the author—an EMDR therapist, consultant, and trainer who brings 33 years of military experience to his therapeutic work—this is a “how-to” manual on the unique treatment needs of active duty and veteran populations and how to help them using EMDR therapy. Following an examination of the defining characteristics and philosophy of military culture as they bear on effective therapeutic treatment, the book comprehensively applies the EMDR model to the active military/veteran population with a variety of presenting issues.

Considering the clinical challenges of treating a population with repeated exposure to life-threatening experiences, moral injury, sexual assault, and other potentially debilitating trauma, the book addresses skill development, specific to EMDR treatment in detail. This go-to manual covers all the steps and processes of EMDR treatment from introducing EMDR therapy to the client to developing a sense of safety in the treatment arena. Allowing therapists trained in EMDR therapy to appropriately assess and address the clinical needs of the veteran by treating clients with both PTSD and traumatic brain injury; along with moral injury, military sexual trauma (MST), or suicidal ideation by recognizing and addressing avoidance and building motivation for treatment and treatment pitfalls. Case examples address clinical “stuck” points and a variety of treatment options when addressing a broad range of symptoms. The EMDR AIP model is incorporated into each case illustrating the veteran’s treatment goal, presenting symptoms, targeted memories, and clinical decision points in treatment. The print version of the book is also available in ebook format.

Key Features:

• Addresses step-by-step EMDR skill development specific to this population
• Incorporates the EMDR eight-phase approach
• Delivers abundant case examples enhanced with clinical treatment options
• Includes a paradigm for evaluating the military and veteran’s initial clinical presentation
• Discusses treatment for clients with PTSD, traumatic brain injury, moral injury, sexual trauma, and suicidal ideation
• Considers the treatment needs of the military family
• Includes a variety of helpful patient handouts