A proposal for a conditioning model of eye movement desensitization treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder

Although eye movement desensitization (EMD) was introduced as a specific treatment for traumatic memories, a satisfactory explanation of the therapeutic mechanism underlying the method has not been offered. This article describes a model of traumatic memories and EMD based primarily on principles of respondent conditioning, emotional interference with learning, and operant conditioning. A method for evaluating the conditioning model is briefly described.