Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to reduce the anxiety of a soccer player

Abstract

This unique case study aims to show the intervention carried out through trauma therapy EMDR to a juvenile soccer player with a high level of anxiety due to a stressful event associated with the competition. An initial evaluation was carried out in order to stablish the functional analysis and treatment plan. The Questionnaire of causes, manifestations and coping strategies before the sports competition was administered. Four individual sessions of one hour duration were carried out twice a month. The treatment was firstly, the promotion of stabilization strategies and secondly, the processing of the target adverse event that caused the anxiety. At the end of the therapy and after three months of follow-up, the aforementioned questionnaire was re-administered to assess the changes. Both clinical and psychometric results reflect the effectiveness of the intervention showing that the player reduces his anxiety and indirectly recovers his optimum level of performance.