Research Article

Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: September 23, 2025

Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the effects of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy on psychosomatic symptoms and early maladaptive schemas.

Methods: This study used a single-group pretest-posttest multiple case design, conducted without a control group. Five voluntary participants aged 18 and over were selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through a Demographic Information Form, the Young Schema Questionnaire, and the Somatization Scale(33 items, derived from the MMPI).

Results: All participants showed decreases in early maladaptive schemas and psychosomatic symptoms after EMDR therapy, indicating its effectiveness in reducing both cognitive and somatic distress.

Conclusions: EMDR therapy appears effective in alleviating psychosomatic symptoms and maladaptive schemas. These findings support its clinical use and highlight the need for further research with larger samples.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the İstanbul Aydın University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee (Decision No: 2023/10; date: 21.12.2023). All procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments. All participants provided written informed consent prior to participation. Participants were debriefed at the end of the sessions.

References

  1. 1. Young JE. Cognitive Therapy for Personality Disorders: A Schema-Focused Approach (Practitioner’s Resourse Series). 3rd ed., Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Exchange; 1999.
  2. 2. Lehnung, M. Treating Belief Systems with EMDR Therapy. In: Hofmann A, Ostacoli L, Lehnung M, Hase M, Luber M. Editors. Treating Depression with EMDR Therapy: Techniques and Interventions, 1st ed., Springer Publishing. 2022: pp. 109-120.
  3. 3.Shapiro F. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures. 3rd ed. New York: Guilford Press; 2018.
  4. 4. Amano T, Toichi M. The Role of Alternating Bilateral Stimulation in Establishing Positive Cognition in EMDR Therapy: A Multi-Channel Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study. PLoS One. 2016;11(10):e0162735. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162735.
  5. 5. Mares L. Unconscious processes in psychoanalysis, CBT, and schema therapy. J Psychother Integr. 2022;32(4):443-455. doi: 10.1037/int0000306.
  6. 6. Rafaeli E, Bernstein DP, Young JE. Schema Therapy: Distinctive Features. 1st ed. London: Routledge; 2010.
  7. 7. Young JE, Klosko JS, Weishaar ME. Schema Therapy: A Practitioner’s Guide. New York: Guilford Press; 2006.
  8. 8. Van Rood YR, De Roos C. EMDR in the treatment of medically unexplained symptoms: a systematic review. J EMDR Pract Res. 2009;3(4):248-263. doi: 10.1891/1933-3196.3.4.248.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Psychiatry

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

September 23, 2025

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

June 19, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 8, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Güler, K., & Baysal, E. F. (2025). Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases. The European Research Journal, Advanced Online Publication, 543-554. https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.1723165
AMA
1.Güler K, Baysal EF. Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases. Eur Res J. 2025;(Advanced Online Publication):543-554. doi:10.18621/eurj.1723165
Chicago
Güler, Kahraman, and Elif Fulya Baysal. 2025. “Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases”. The European Research Journal, no. Advanced Online Publication: 543-54. https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.1723165.
EndNote
Güler K, Baysal EF (September 1, 2025) Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases. The European Research Journal Advanced Online Publication 543–554.
IEEE
[1]K. Güler and E. F. Baysal, “Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases”, Eur Res J, no. Advanced Online Publication, pp. 543–554, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.18621/eurj.1723165.
ISNAD
Güler, Kahraman - Baysal, Elif Fulya. “Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases”. The European Research Journal. Advanced Online Publication (September 1, 2025): 543-554. https://doi.org/10.18621/eurj.1723165.
JAMA
1.Güler K, Baysal EF. Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases. Eur Res J. 2025;:543–554.
MLA
Güler, Kahraman, and Elif Fulya Baysal. “Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases”. The European Research Journal, no. Advanced Online Publication, Sept. 2025, pp. 543-54, doi:10.18621/eurj.1723165.
Vancouver
1.Kahraman Güler, Elif Fulya Baysal. Investigation of the Effect of EMDR Therapy on Psychosomatic Symptoms and Early Malaptive Schemas: An Analysis of 5 Cases. Eur Res J. 2025 Sep. 1;(Advanced Online Publication):543-54. doi:10.18621/eurj.1723165