The Art and Science of EMDR: Helping Clinicians Bridge the Path from Protocol to Practice

by Rotem Brayer

The EMDR model is linear—real EMDR is not.

Therapists who are trained in EMDR can facilitate healing in the most profound ways. But successful treatment requires more than following a rigid script or a protocol. It requires bringing both the art and science of EMDR into the therapy room.

In The Art and Science of EMDR, clinicians will learn how to do just that. Grounded in the principles of neurobiology and the science of deliberate practice, this book teaches both new and seasoned EMDR clinicians how to apply the phase-based model of EMDR in a more holistic way. Instead of conceptualizing EMDR in an inflexible and linear manner, clinicians will learn how to adapt the protocol to each client’s needs while maintaining authenticity to the model (and to who they are as therapists and humans).

Whether you are an EMDR trainer, consultant, or practitioner, this user-friendly guide will help

Understand a client’s presenting problems through the lens of neuroscienceIdentify and overcome common mistakes during preparation and resourcingIndividualize a client’s inner resourcesDevelop regular mindfulness habits that improve client outcomesBring more fluidity to the assessment phaseSet the groundwork for effective processing and learn when to interveneBring the principles of deliberate practice to EMDR trainings and consultations

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health

185 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2023

Reviews

[Nick B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, succinct overview from a clinician passionate about resourcing, encouraging and networking with the next generation of clinicians. There is little unexpected or new info here, as beauty of the book is in its simple call to appreciate and (re)internalize the essentials of EMDR, without unhelpful pressure for the clinician to learn new material or master new techniques.

Brayer’s past podcast offering and now his development and hosting of a free EMDR therapist online networking platform represent incredible gifts to EMDR therapists and by extension their clients, and this book continues (or perhaps symbolizes) his ongoing labor of love for his colleagues.

Much of the book is a summary and breakdown of basic training components (with the repeated “here’s what they didn’t tell you in basic training” refrain). If you haven’t had the pleasure of learning from the likes of authors like Parnell, Marich, Knipe, R. Shapiro, it is a great synthesis that grows out of their ideas (particularly the deconstruction of therapeutic “dogma” that Marich typically focused on); if these authors and their concepts are already familiar to you, you may find the steady drumbeat entreatment to practice flexible, creative client-centered EMDR (while no less compelling and important!) to be a bit pedantic.

Brayer’s chapter on Deliberate Practice stands out as humbling and convicting and will hopefully be echoing in my head for a few weeks before I return to review and plan for implementing his suggestions.

[Sherri Westbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when you really want a piece of chocolate cake so you order it and when it comes its a small sliver and you experience a small jolt of disappointment, thinking this tiny piece isn’t going to meet your chocolate needs? Then you start eating it and it’s so dense, so rich, that you have to eat it slowly, savor every bite and even end up taking some of it home—-that’s this book. I thought it was going to be a quick read; it wasn’t because I wanted to/needed to digest all the great information in it slowly. I’ve read quite a few EMDR books—this is the first that has acknowledged that EMDR is a fluid process and not a rigid one. I especially appreciated the suggestions about integrating somatic work and mindfulness into the preparation phase. Rotem’s take on things has given me a fresh perspective and has given me quite a bit of food for thought. He explains things thoroughly but in a way that’s easy to understand. Whether you're new to EMDR or a seasoned EMDR provider, this book is a must read. I know I will be rereading it many times over.

[Niecie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this approach to EMDR. I’ve never been drawn to it as a clinician or client as a therapy modality, but it was interesting to understand more about the therapy itself and its potential to help clients. I really appreciated the acknowledgement that EMDR is not a cure-all the way so many people think it is.

[Mia Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

i absolutely loved this book!!! some of the concepts were a bit out of depth for me considering i’m only in grad school—but i still learned so much. 100% recommend this to any student or professional studying emdr. next year, when i go for my licensing i will revisit this book for my training.

[Merceda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning about the concept of EMDR and how it affects patients, but more so learning about the way clinicians utilize it. Also about how therapists can under-utilize it as well. And how if not used properly, it can leave a patient stuck in a memory without relief from the trauma.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource, I think I will be reading this again :) 😀

[Rebecca Renfrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️…a good simple resource for EMDR practitioners.