Vorwärtsbereich

Vorwärtsbereich is a concept in the field of psychotherapy, particularly in the approach known as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). It refers to the extent to which a traumatic memory has been stored in a way that is accessible to conscious awareness.

The term was introduced by Francine Shapiro, one of the developers of EMDR, in her 2001 book "Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures". Shapiro proposed that the pace and direction of the client's eye movements can influence the availability of traumatic memories in the Vorwärtsbereich.

When a traumatic memory is stored in the Vorwärtsbereich, it means that it is easily accessible to consciousness and can be processed and integrated into the client's narrative. On the other hand, memories that are not in the Vorwärtsbereich are less accessible and may be stored in the way back memory apparatus, which can prevent their proper processing and integration.

EMDR practitioners use the Vorwärtsbereich concept to assess the client's ability to access and process traumatic memories. By identifying which memories are stored in the Vorwärtsbereich, the therapist can develop a treatment plan that targets the most accessible and distressing memories first.

While the concept of Vorwärtsbereich has been widely used in EMDR practice, some research has questioned its validity and its relationship to the underlying mechanisms of EMDR. Further studies are needed to fully understand the significance of Vorwärtsbereich in the context of trauma processing and therapeutic outcomes.