Effect of EMDR for Reduction of Pain Interference in Children With Sickle Cell Disease

The Dutch version of the standard EMDR protocol with age-specific adaptations for children and adolescents will be used. The eight phases consist of history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation. During an EMDR session, the child focuses on emotionally disturbing memories (images, thoughts, emotions, and sensations) while simultaneously focusing on an external distracting stimulus (e.g., eye movements). This process facilitates accessing and desensitizing the traumatic memory network, so information processing is enhanced, and new associations can be made between the traumatic memory and more adaptive memories and information. As a result, the traumatic memory representation will be less intense and emotionally disturbing. After the intake session (week 1), including case conceptualization and treatment plan, a maximum of 6 weekly EMDR sessions with a duration of 1 hour per session will be offered.