The Self-administered EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy project
An initial experimental and evaluation phase.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT USE THE APPLICATION IF YOU ARE NOT EXPLICITLY INSTRUCTED AND GUIDED BY PSYCHOLOGIST AND YOU ARE NOT REGISTERED IN THE APPROVED TRIAL.
What is EMDR?
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a commonly used mental health treatment. It is an effective treatment for emotional disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Depression, Anxiety, Grief, Addictions, and other conditions.
EMDR works by simulating a natural human process known as Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. REM is one of the four stages of sleep where dreaming occurs most, and sleep plays a leading part in processing memories. By simulating eye movement that occurs in REM sleep, EMDR helps people to access and “re-process” their traumatic memories and deep core beliefs.
The EMDR therapy session has 8 stages, including 1) personal history and treatment planning, 2) preparation, 3) assessment, 4) desensitization and reprocessing, 5) positive cognition installation, 6) body scan, 7) closure, and 8) re-evaluation.
Can I get access to this Self-administered EMDR therapy?
Yes. If you register to the respective approved trial, we will give you an anonymous access code to be used in the application and further instructions.
What this trial is?
In the trial, we evaluate how this Self-administered EMDR therapy is effective to improve it further for you and for other people who might need such a therapy.
Is it anonymous?
Yes. We are cautious about your privacy. However, we need to collect some data to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy and to improve it further for you. So, during the trial we are not collecting any data leading to identification of the participant. The application stores your therapy history and some information about your mood, feelings (which you report), and other data as time spent on individual pages and by the therapy. However, these data are not linked to any personal information. To identify you in the application, you get an anonymous code from the research team.
I have registered for the trial. How to get the application?
IMPORTANT. DON’T use the application without proper registering for the trial. When you register, we will give you a download link for the therapy application.
Installation of the application is quite easy. You need to do just few steps:
1. Check which version of Java you have on your computer.
The application is written in Java to be able to run on various systems (Windows, Mac OS, or Linux). This is how to look for Java in Windows 11 (or slightly older versions as well). Type “java” in the search bar of your menu.
If you have Java already installed, it will look like this:
Then click on the “About java” app. It shows a window like this:
The application is created to run on relatively old Java. You need a Java version at least 8 (build 1.8.).
If you have Java of this version (or newer) installed, skip the next step.
2. Install Java if you don’t have any.
Go to the official Java page and follow the instructions to install the Java there:
https://www.java.com/en/download/help/download_options.html
An installation page for latest Windows and relatively new computer is at:
https://www.java.com/en/download/
For other platforms (Mac OS, Linux or others), use the previous link.
3. Download the Self-administered EMDR application.
The application is executable JAR (Java) file. The trial team will give you the download link.
Save the application to a folder which you like. The application does not create any extra files during its run.
4. Run the Self-administered EMDR application.
Click on the downloaded JAR file of the application. If you have Java properly installed, the application starts. You need to be connected to the Internet. If you are not, the following message appears:
However, if you are connected to the Internet, the first screen appears. It will look like this. Font size and screen layout may differ by your screen resolution or operating system. It’s not important.
Then follow the instructions in the application.
It may happen that in Windows, the application will not start automatically when you click on it. In such case, select “Open with” in the file context menu (appears when you click by right mouse button on the file) and select “Java” from the available options.
5. Entering an access code.
Together with a download link, the trial team will also give you an access code to enter the app. It shall be entered in the following screen in the application. The access code is anonymous, only selected people in the trial team know your identity and standard medical-grade data privacy rules apply.
Something goes wrong?
IMPORTANT. If anything goes wrong during using the application, specially, if you feel psychical problems or you get more stressed, contact the trial staff.
If you find any errors in the application or it does not work, we apologize, let us know via the trial team. We will issue and give you the corrected version as soon as possible.
GROUNDING TECHNIQUES
During the therapy, “grounding techniques” are mentioned in the instructions in the application.
There are a few examples of grounding techniques. You can find instructions and videos quite easily on the Internet. Select these which would suit you the most:
Safe place:
Take slow, deep breath and focus on a safe and calm place in your mind (can be real or imaginary). Focus on its sights, sounds and smells. You can also use a photo of this place.
Butterfly Hug:
Cross your arms and place each hand on the opposite shoulder. Focus on your breathing - you can also think about a safe place. When you start to feel calmer, tap your hands alternately (one after the other) on each shoulder 6 times. Take a deep breath and repeat this until you feel calmer.
Breathing Technique:
1. Sit or lie down and close your eyes.
2. Place your hand on your chest and your stomach.
3. Take a slow, deep breath into your belly.
4. Breath in through your nose and out through the mouth. Your belly should rise as you breath in, but your chest should remain as still as possible.
5. Breathe softly and regularly. Count from 1 to 5.
6. Do this for up to 5 minutes.
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT):
This technique is based on tapping the fingertips on certain points on your hands, head, and torso. The points you tap in the EFT technique are like those used in acupuncture.
Mindfulness technique:
Slow down and pay attention to your surroundings. Experience it with all your senses: touch, sound, sight, smell, taste. Concentrate on your breath.
Meditation, Physical exercises, Yoga
These options are also helpful to relieve stress and to make you calmer.