Abstract
M.A.
Since 1994, there have been various changes in social work in South Africa, changes
that reflect developments in international social work. Social workers are described as
generalist practitioners, who must be able to address their clients’ problems on different
levels of service delivery and drawing on an eclectic range of theories and intervention
models. Trauma is a definite reality in South Africa and only one of many problems that
social workers face.
Eye Movement Integration Therapy (EMI) is a therapy that has its roots in neurolinguistic
programming (NLP). Steve and Connirae Andreas researched the possible link
between eye movements and therapeutic growth. Subsequently EMI was developed to
facilitate the reduction of trauma symptoms. Danie Beaulieu studied under the
Andreas’s and developed the technique further.
According to contemporary research, the amygdala is responsible for storing trauma
memories. These memories are fragmented, as they are stored in the sensory
modalities and have no narrative. The precise mechanisms of EMI are still unknown. It
appears, however, that EMI, with its 22 eye movements, assists with the integration of
fragmented trauma memories.
The effectiveness of EMI with the adult population has been studied, but not its
usefulness with children. The goal of this study was therefore to explore the usefulness
of EMI in overcoming childhood trauma. A sample of 12 children, aged 14-16 years, who
had experienced trauma, underwent a single session of EMI with the researcher. A
multi-method approach was utilised as both qualitative and quantitative methods were
implemented. The quantitative component took the form of the Trauma Symptom
Checklist for Children (TSCC) administered before and after the single EMI session. The
qualitative component of this study had two parts, namely a semi-structured interview
with the parents/caregivers of the children conducted after the EMI session, and a
journal that the researcher kept throughout the data collection process.
The study found that EMI effectively and significantly reduced the trauma symptoms of
the respondents. The successful clinical application of the intervention with children also
showed that EMI is a useful technique in the recovery from childhood trauma.