EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT EMDR
Resources to learn more about EMDR Therapy with Katie
Here’s where you will find out that I truly am a self-proclaimed nerd! I find research about EMDR fascinating and helpful to understanding how and why the healing process works.
See below for resources and information you may need as a client.
Issue Based EMDR Evidence
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) has been extensively studied and recognized as an effective treatment for various psychological disorders. Below are references supporting its efficacy across different conditions:
Acute Stress Disorder
EMDR has been effective in addressing symptoms shortly after traumatic events, preventing the development of PTSD.
Frontiers
Attachment and Relationship Issues
EMDR is useful in resolving early attachment traumas, improving relational patterns and emotional regulation.
Frontiers
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
EMDR has shown effectiveness in treating complex trauma-related symptoms, particularly in cases of prolonged or repeated trauma exposure.
Dissociative Disorders
EMDR is effective in managing dissociation linked to trauma, often used alongside other therapeutic approaches.
Frontiers
Grief and Bereavement
EMDR assists individuals in processing traumatic aspects of loss, facilitating healthier grieving processes.
Frontiers
Phobias
EMDR has been applied to specific phobias and performance anxiety, showing promising results in symptom reduction.
Frontiers
Somatic Symptom Disorders
EMDR addresses physical symptoms that have psychological origins, aiding in symptom reduction.
Frontiers
Anxiety Disorders
A systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrated EMDR's success in reducing symptoms of anxiety, panic, phobias, and related behavioral/somatic symptoms.
Frontiers
Chronic Pain
EMDR helps process the psychological components of chronic pain, contributing to pain management.
Frontiers
Depressive Disorders
Research indicates that EMDR can significantly reduce depressive symptoms, especially when depression is linked to traumatic experiences.
MDPI
Eating Disorders
EMDR has been applied to eating disorders, particularly when trauma plays a significant role in the disorder's development.
Frontiers
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
While primarily used for trauma, EMDR has been explored as an adjunctive therapy for OCD, particularly when trauma underlies the condition.
Frontiers
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends EMDR as a frontline treatment for PTSD in adults and children. Frontiers
A meta-analysis found EMDR to be as effective as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) for PTSD. PLOS Journals
Substance Use Disorders
Studies have investigated EMDR's role in treating substance use disorders, especially when trauma contributes to addiction behaviors.
MDPI
Encouraging Findings on Intensive EMDR Therapy
Research suggests that using an intensive approach with trauma-focused therapy is well-received by people with PTSD, often leading to faster relief from symptoms and even better outcomes than standard methods. This approach may also help prevent early dropouts. Read more here and here and here.
Remote trauma-focused intensive therapy is also effective! See this study.
Intensive EMDR therapy has proven to be both practical and impactful, showing reliable, quick improvements in PTSD symptoms. Read this study to learn more.
For complex PTSD, an intensive EMDR program may offer a safe and effective treatment option. Check out this case study.
There are also financial advantages: compared to other trauma therapies, the intensive model can reduce overall time in therapy. This is achieved by streamlining sessions, so less time is spent on tasks like check-ins, addressing new or immediate issues, or reviewing coping skills that may have weakened between sessions, as well as regaining calm at session end. See this in-depth information.