EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING APPLICATION AS A THERAPY METHOD IN SPECIFIC PHOBIA TREATMENT: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY

Objective: The aim of this study is to experimentally investigate the effect of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy on participants in the treatment of specific phobia. Material and Method: The study was carried out the pre-experimental design technique, which is one of experimental designs, and 25 (83.3%) females, 5 (16%) men were between the ages of 18-65 and met the DSM-5 criteria for specific phobia, a total of 30 cases were taken. Since 4 female participants did not participate in evaluation at the posttest stage of the study, the posttest study was conducted with 26 cases (21 female and 5 male). Research data were collected with DSM-5 Specific Phobia Scale, State and Trait Anxiety Scale and Demographic Information Form for specific phobia assessment. After this stage, 8 sessions of EMDR therapy were applied to all participants. Results: As a result of the research, the participants' feelings of anxiety and fear in the face of an object or situation (z=4.46; p<0.05) and avoidance behavior from an object or situation (z=3.74; p<0.05), state anxiety the difference between the mean ranking (z=3.158; p<0.05) and trait anxiety (z=3.158; p<0.05) was found to be significant. In additio it was determined that the level of anxiety and fear of the participants in the face of the object or situation they perceived was significantly higher for the female participants (z=6.64; p>0.05); there was no difference between marital status, employment status, and the status of receiving psychological help before. Conclusion: It was determined that EMDR application reduced the participants' perception of specific phobia and their level of state and trait anxiety, and EMDR had a positive effect on individuals' perception of both specific phobia and state and trait anxiety.