Case Consultation: Unremitting Depression

Abstract

Case Consultation is a new regular feature in the Journal of EMDR Practice and Research. In this article, an eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) clinician briefly describes a challenging case in which a man, “George,” was referred for EMDR for treatment of a depression that began more than 2 years previously. After all his reported traumatic memories were completely processed with EMDR, George remains severely depressed and the therapist asks how to proceed effectively with treatment. Responses are written by three experts. The first expert, Robin Shapiro, describes a comprehensive list of possible etiologies, including attachment, early trauma, genetic, and other biological causes and their appropriate EMDR, ego state, or medical treatments. The second expert, Arne Hofmann, reviews the treatment that was provided and makes suggestions for alternate treatment targets, suggesting that the therapist could address the client’s belief that “nothing will change” and try the EMDR inverted protocol. The third expert, Earl Grey, recommends that the clinician focus on addressing small “t” traumas, even if the client indicates that he or she has little to no disturbance and explains how to develop and implement a “restorative life span target sequence.”