This chapter presents an understanding of social prejudice that can be integrated into the adaptive information processing (AIP) model and is supported by research-based knowledge from the field of social psychology. It describes the strategies for targeting prejudice within the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) approach and a protocol for reducing or eradicating prejudice. Prejudice is part of the human tendency to assess a situation based on limited information. The chapter discusses the issues related to social privilege and social position along with a protocol for targeting feelings related to social advantages and disadvantages. It also discusses the potential of EMDR methods to support the exploration of other complicated social issues. EMDR therapists can offer clients a chance to target the prejudice for reprocessing. Social stratification is a reality in almost every culture and social group, from families to nations.

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people have a gender identity that does not fully align with the sex they were assigned at birth. This chapter introduces the basic concepts and terms related to the experiences and lives of TGNC people. Common misconceptions are addressed in order to build a basic awareness of the needs of TGNC people. The chapter discusses the ways in which TGNC people are affected by transphobia or anti-trans bias, ranging from micro aggressions to overt acts of violence. It describes the various ways that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy may be used to help provide affirmative care when working with TGNC people. Finally, a case vignette is used to illustrate the application of EMDR therapy and the use of a Resource Development and Installation (RDI) protocol to assist TGNC people in healing experiences of trauma.

This chapter explores the concept of cultural competence as it is being developed within the field of human services delivery, and integrates these ideas and best practices into eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. For many people, cultural values and affiliations are powerful and sustaining components of their lives. The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies has established a diversity and cultural competence special interest group (SIG). The SIG has raised awareness of cultural factors and noted that these factors mediate, moderate and in many cases, even determine traumatic exposure. After reviewing the literature regarding cultural competence, clinical competencies, and assessing both the current effectiveness and potential of EMDR therapy, the chapter presents a list of specific areas of focus for EMDR clinicians and EMDR organizations who are actively pursuing cultural competence. Within the field of mental health, there is a much needed conversation about cultural competence.

People with intellectual disability (ID) are excluded from life experiences that people perceived as nondisabled take for granted. This chapter provides a primer for the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapist interested in treating posttraumatic stress in people with ID. Clients with ID treated by the authors suffered repeated and varied negative life experiences that kindled into a cluster of symptoms now widely understood as complex trauma. People with ID and psychiatric disorders are often undiagnosed because the symptoms look different from standard symptom presentation. Psychiatric symptoms are often expressed as behavior. People with ID suffered population level, institutionalized abuse that persisted from the late 19th century into the 1970s. That abuse included medical experimentation and forced sterilization. The chapter discusses the cultural construction of ID to support clinicians in recognizing environmental challenges to trauma treatment consequent to culturally mediated attitudes and beliefs.

Understanding individual clinical issues within a societal context is fundamental to cultural competence. An approach to culturally competent eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy starts with an awareness of the client’s cultural experiences and social identities. This chapter reviews the ways of assessing and treating the impact of culturally based adversity and traumatic experiences. It explores the importance of social identities both as they link to sources of positive meaning and resources within a client’s life, as well as the ways in which social identities can be associated with cultural stigma and discrimination. Effective psychosocial education can increase the client’s curiosity about social and cultural issues, create language for better understanding and discussion, reduce isolation or shame, and pave the way for productive therapy. Culturally influenced social identities are important dimensions of who people are and are highly related to self-identity and well-being.

This chapter discusses the need for the clinician to acquaint herself with the patient’s culture, mores, lore, and metaphors so as to understand the patient within a meaningful context. It describes that successful treatment includes both reprocessing of trauma and the reconstruction of a coherent, meaningful life narrative. Damaged self-esteem, identity, and alienation in second generation offspring of survivors of anti-Semitic atrocities, such as European pogroms and the Holocaust, can be addressed with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment. The EMDR trauma therapist working with one or multiple generations of genocides needs to be familiar with the impact of mass genocide on the psyche, the impact of internalized oppression, and the factors that continue to impact upon offspring’s identity formation. The chapter reviews the clinical case which describes the treatment of a second generation patient whose family survived Ukranian pogroms, World War II, rampant anti-Semitic atrocities, and immigration-related trauma.

This chapter describes the psychotherapeutic intervention for a particular clinical population: refugees and asylum seekers. These individuals live in a state of great vulnerability. For them, migrating was not a choice, but a decision forced by the particular conditions in their country of origin. The immigrant population is very heterogeneous due to different factors: their migration history and the reasons at the root of their migration; their social, cultural, and economic conditions; their status; and their ability to access national health care. One aspect that unites this population, however, is that they are particularly at risk for complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Another key element of the treatment, especially in this type of population, and in general in those suffering from complex PTSD, is attention to the body. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) targets memories felt in the body, promoting full access, reprocessing, and integration of the traumatic experiences.

This chapter contributes to the growing literature on the values of diversity, cross-cultural respect, and empowerment, with special reference to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). As EMDR clinicians know, after traumatic memories and the associated shame and guilt are processed, clients often choose to talk about themselves, perhaps for the first time in their lives. Promoting training-of-trainers (TOT) involves a clear agreement that outsiders may generally not treat clients but offer training, supervision, and consultation for local therapists who provide treatment and may someday train others to do so. Variations in the use of bilateral stimulation also involve dosing, such as adjusting the bilateral stimulation so that the client remains in the window of tolerance. Clients can be reminded that their bodies are sources of wisdom and that EMDR is a somatic therapy.

Cultural values of minority groups are often threatened by dominant cultures, leading to pressured acculturation or marginalization. This chapter explains useful terminology as well as information and theory from the fields of social psychology and social work as they inform the adaptive information processing (AIP) model and the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) approach to culturally based trauma. Psychotherapists can benefit significantly from a solid understanding of social processes including a more nuanced awareness of the impact of socially based trauma resulting from stigma and of social behavior, both adaptive and maladaptive. At the same time, EMDR therapy offers a viable means to reduce or eliminate the internalized effects of stigma and oppression in a way that social psychologists and social workers continue to search for. For EMDR therapists operating with the AIP model, understanding how the brain processes socially related information is highly relevant.

This chapter examines eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a powerful healing mechanism in the treatment of addiction and provides insights on future directions. Francine Shapiro’s early writing about integrating EMDR into the treatment of addictive disorders offers sound guidance for introducing EMDR therapy to someone seeking recovery from chemical dependency or other compulsive behaviors often described under the umbrella of addiction. The culturally sensitive EMDR therapist may not impose their biases about the utility of any one model of recovery on their clients; rather, the therapist may facilitate an experience where the client can discover which path can best serve him or her. EMDR therapy, by design, can address several issues: the spiritual, the lifestyle, the cognitive, the somatic, and the historical facets of addiction. EMDR is usually referred as the “missing piece” in addiction treatment care.