Visual schema displacement therapy (VSDT) is a therapeutic approach developed to mitigate distressing memories and trauma.
[2] Further research investigated potential mechanisms, such as counterconditioning and arousal due to unexpected elements, but these did not conclusively explain the efficacy of the treatments.
[3][5] These findings suggested the need for additional research and clinical trials to understand the mechanisms and effectiveness of VSDT, particularly for treating conditions like PTSD.
[3] In 2024, a clinical post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) trial by Suzy J. M. A. Matthijssen et al. evaluated the effectiveness of VSDT and EMDR therapy in reducing PTSD symptoms, finding both therapies equally effective compared to a waitlist control, with sustained benefits at a 3-month follow-up.
[3] It also highlighted that VSDT requires less time per treatment target than EMDR, although the total number of sessions remained similar.