Instructions for authors

EMDR Therapy Quarterly is intended as a practical journal serving members of EMDR UK and the wider circle of professionals interested in EMDR Therapy. In addition to Association news and coverage of the major events in the national and international EMDR calendars, it aims to stimulate informed discussion on important areas of EMDR research and practice including position papers, research findings, literature reviews and case studies. The following guidelines aim to elicit useful practical applications in a structure and style appropriate for its readership.

1.  Editorial Statement

EMDR Therapy Quarterly aims to disseminate and promote effective practice of EMDR Therapy and to encourage research and best practice. Its intended audience is practitioners and, with this in mind, the journal publishes articles covering both clinical and professional themes. Papers describing empirical research will be considered in line with those that are practice-focused.

2.  Scope

Articles will be welcomed from those involved in the practice and/or research of EMDR. The Journal comprises five main categories of article: news, case studies, articles, features and reviews; guidelines for writing each of these are given below.

Articles should contain only original material that has not been published, nor is under consideration for publication, in any other domain.

2.1  News

There are many events in the EMDR and trauma calendar each year. Reporting on presentations given by leaders in the field is of professional interest to all practitioners and is therefore prioritised in the Journal.

News items are generally 500-2000 words in length. Authors should include the published title of the event, the name and designation of speakers/presenters/facilitators. The content should reflect the main points made by speakers such that readers who were unable to be present are afforded an idea of the territory discussed by presenters and any practice innovations outlined, questions raised etc. References and quotes should be used wherever possible to reinforce points made by authors.

2.2  Case Studies

Case studies are sought which contribute to the development of EMDR theory and/or practice. They may be 2000-5000 words. Sufficient detail must be included for other practitioners to replicate successful treatments. The suggested structure for case study articles is as follows:

  1. Abstract: brief summary of the findings presented in the case study
  2. Learning objectives: what does the case study illuminate? How does it add to existing practice in this area?
  3. Introduction: Briefly introduce the case and presenting problems. State initial thoughts concerning formulation. Give an overview of case including co-morbidities, prior treatment experiences and outcomes etc.
  4. Course of therapy. You may choose to follow the 8-Phase Standard Protocol, grouping together your work with the client in each of the phases.
  5. Outcomes
  6. Discussion: e.g. Has your case study highlighted a hitherto unforeseen problem or pitfall? Has it added to or reinforced existing practices or approaches? Has it suggested an alternative way of working with this presentation? Where might this lead in further work with this client group?
  7. Summary and further reading
  8. References: please follow the APA style: http://www.apastyle.org/

You may find the following site helpful in formatting references:

https://www.mybib.com/#/projects/jgMdvr/citations

Please format your references before submission and ensure that papers listed match those referenced in the article. You may wish to include a Bibliography of selected publications relevant to the content and which you believe may enrich the reader’s understanding of your work.

Please ensure that clients are fully anonymised. It is essential that you have received written permission from your client to use anonymised versions of their therapy prior to submission.

2.3 Articles

These may be 2000 to 5000 words in length in the following areas:

  • An article that brings together current research and practice in a particular field of EMDR Therapy. See ETQ Spring 2019 Vol 1 No 1 p23
  • An article that discusses current research ideas (on any aspect of EMDR). Articles should be referenced and wherever possible quotes from proponents/researchers should be included. See ETQ Summer 2020, Vol 2 No 3 p 17
  • References: as above.

2.4 Features

These may be 2000 to 5000 words in length in the following areas:

  • An article exploring a current theme in EMDR practice or research drawing on EMDR/Trauma in the media/literature. See ETQ Vol 2 No 4 p 15
  • An article exploring controversy or stating personal opinions on important themes. It is important here that authors present the material as personal opinion (albeit back up by appropriate references and/or referring to personal communication with leaders in the field).
  • References: as above.

2.5 Reviews

  1. Please make your review no longer than 1000 words and no shorter than 500 words.
  2. Please include the ISBN, price, author and publisher details at the start of the review and your preferred credit at the end, eg Fred Bloggs is a clinical psychologist practising in Bristol.
  3. Please note that all published reviews may be edited.
  4. Publication is at the Editor’s discretion.

Reviews should try to address the following points:

  1. What is the book saying, overall? Try to give an overview of the content
  2. Is the book essential reading?
  3. Are there similar works and, if so, how does this book compare?
  4. What are its strengths and any weaknesses?
  5. How useful is it for practitioners and why?
  6. What readership is the book aimed at and appropriate for?

3.  Preparation of Manuscripts

Articles should be 5,000 words or fewer on submission (excluding references, tables and figures). Formatting of text should not go beyond use of bold or italics to distinguish between main title, headings and sub-headings.

Please list references and footnotes at the end of the article, indicating in the body text the material each refers to.

All submissions should be addressed to: editor@emdrassociation.org.uk

3.1  Structure

 1.           Title Page: highlights major issues

 2.           Main manuscript:

Abstract
  • Learning objectives
  • Introduction
  • Presenting problem/Research Question
  • Course of therapy/Methodology
  • Outcomes/Results
  • Discussion
  • Summary and further reading
  • Required Statements
  • References

3.2  References

APA referencing style should be followed throughout the document. http://www.apastyle.org/

You may find the following site helpful in formatting references:

https://www.mybib.com/#/projects/jgMdvr/citations

Please format your references before submission and ensure that papers listed match those referenced in the article. You may wish to include a Bibliography of selected publications relevant to the content and which you believe may enrich the reader’s understanding of your work.

3.3  Tables, Figures and Graphics

These should be submitted as separate files but have their intended position clearly marked in the manuscript.

Images should be submitted as png files.

4.  Proofs and Copyright

Proofs of accepted articles will be provided to authors for the correction of errors. Authors submitting a manuscript do so on the understanding that if it is accepted for publication, exclusive copyright of the paper shall be assigned to EMDR Therapy Quarterly. The publishers will not put any limitation on the personal freedom of the author to use material contained in the paper in other works.

Any queries should be addressed to: editor@emdrasssociation.org.uk