State of the science: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
Open accessAbstract
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an evidence‐based psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with support from more than 30 published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrating its effectiveness in both adults and children. Most international clinical practice guidelines recommend EMDR therapy as a first‐line treatment for PTSD. This paper describes the current state of the evidence for EMDR therapy. We begin with a brief description of EMDR therapy and its theoretical framework. Next, we summarize the scientific support for its efficacy, effectiveness, and safety and discuss its applicability across cultures and with diverse populations. We conclude with suggestions for future directions to develop the research base and applications of EMDR therapy.
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
The claims and statistics of this paper haven’t been checked yet.
Run the check — free, no account needed. It reads the open-access text and checks the sources it cites.
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Once worry patterns are established, cognitive restructuring techniques can be implemented to challenge maladaptive thoughts and replace them with more balanced, reality-based perspectives, thereby reducing pre-sleep arousal and improving sleep quality.
“Once such pa erns are established, cognitive restructuring techniques can be implemented to challenge maladaptive thoughts and replace them with more balanced, reality-based perspectives, thereby reducing pre-sleep arousal and improving sleep quality [88].”
From Pre-Sleep Anxiety: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches in Clinical Practice. (2026) · cites this paper as [88]
Split into 2 atoms — 0 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 1 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
The self-check needs the paper’s full text.
Cites
Joint effect of ageing and multilayer structure prevents ordering in the voter model
Artime, O., Fernández-Gracia, J., Ramasco, J. J., & Miguel, M. S. (2017) · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1703.06073 · Cited by 5,608 · see citing works
(1992) · Cited by 5,228 · see citing works
Working Memory: Theories, Models, and Controversies
Baddeley, A. (2012) · Annual Review of Psychology · doi:10.1146/annurev-psych-120710-100422 · Cited by 4,271 · see citing works
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems
(2010) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_3055 · Cited by 4,181 · see citing works
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures
Shapiro, F. (1995) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 1,529 · see citing works
Cloître, M., Koenen, K. C., Cohen, L. R., & Han, H. (2002) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.70.5.1067 · Cited by 1,099 · see citing works
Cloitre, M., Koenen, K. C., Cohen, L. R., & Han, H. (2002) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.70.5.1067 · Cited by 1,097 · see citing works
Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD: Therapist Guide: Emotional processing of traumatic experiences
Foa, E. B., Hembree, E., & Rothbaum, B. (2007) · doi:10.1093/med:psych/9780195308501.001.0001 · Cited by 1,050 · see citing works
Cognitive processing therapy for PTSD a comprehensive manual
Resick, P. A., Monson, C. M., & Chard, K. M. (n.d.) · Cited by 868 · see citing works
Eye movement desensitization: A new treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder
Shapiro, F. (1989) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/0005-7916(89)90025-6 · Cited by 812 · see citing works
Efficacy of the Eye Movement Desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories.
Shapiro, F. (1989) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.2490020207 · Cited by 543 · see citing works
EMDR: A putative neurobiological mechanism of action
Stickgold, R. (2001) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.1129 · Cited by 450 · see citing works
van der Kolk, B. A., Spinazzola, J., Blaustein, M. E., Hopper, J. W., Hopper, E. K., Korn, D. L., & Simpson, W. B. (2007) · The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry · doi:10.4088/jcp.v68n0105 · Cited by 403 · see citing works
A meta-analysis of the contribution of eye movements in processing emotional memories
Lee, C. W., & Cuijpers, P. J. (2012) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2012.11.001 · Cited by 371 · see citing works
How eye movements affect unpleasant memories: Support for a working-memory account
Gunter, R. W., & Bodner, G. E. (2008) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2008.04.006 · Cited by 362 · see citing works
van den Berg, D. P. G., de Bont, P. A. J. M., van der Vleugel, B. M., de Roos, C., de Jongh, A., Van Minnen, A., & van der Gaag, M. (2015) · JAMA Psychiatry · doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.2637 · Cited by 341 · see citing works
CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR COMPLEX PTSD IN ADULTS
de Jongh, A., Resick, P. A., Zoellner, L. A., van Minnen, A., Lee, C., Monson, C., Foa, E. B., Wheeler, K., ten Broeke, E. T., Feeny, N., et al. (2016) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1002/da.22469 · Cited by 298 · see citing works
Devilly, G. J., & Spence, S. H. (1999) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/s0887-6185(98)00044-9 · Cited by 291 · see citing works
Carlson, J. G., Chemtob, C. M., Rusnak, K., Hedlund, N. L., & Muraoka, M. Y. (1998) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1023/a:1024448814268 · Cited by 257 · see citing works
Bilateral eye movements enhance the retrieval of episodic memories.
Christman, S. D., Garvey, K. J., Propper, R. E., & Phaneuf, K. A. (2003) · Neuropsychology · doi:10.1037/0894-4105.17.2.221 · Cited by 255 · see citing works
van den Hout, M. A., & Engelhard, I. M. (2012) · Journal of Experimental Psychopathology · doi:10.5127/jep.028212 · Cited by 247 · see citing works
ROTHBAUM, B. O. (1997) · PubMed · Cited by 246 · see citing works
The relationship between efficacy and methodology in studies investigating EMDR treatment of PTSD
Maxfield, L., & Hyer, L. A. (2001) · Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1002/jclp.1127 · Cited by 230 · see citing works
Herbert, J. (2000) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/s0272-7358(99)00017-3 · Cited by 210 · see citing works
Controlled study of treatment of PTSD using EMDR in an HMO setting.
Marcus, S. V., Marquis, P., & Sakai, C. (1997) · Psychotherapy · doi:10.1037/h0087791 · Cited by 196 · see citing works
van den Hout, M., Engelhard, I. M., Rijkeboer, M. M., Koekebakker, J., Hornsveld, H. K., Leer, A., Toffolo, M. B. J., & Akse, N. (2010) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/j.brat.2010.11.003 · Cited by 171 · see citing works
Jensen, J. A. (1994) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(05)80290-4 · Cited by 166 · see citing works
Acarturk, C., Konuk, E., Cetinkaya, M., Senay, I., Sijbrandij, M., Gulen, B., & Cuijpers, P. (2016) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291716001070 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Neural circuits underlying a psychotherapeutic regimen for fear disorders
Baek, J., Lee, S., Cho, T., Kim, S.-W., Kim, M., Yoon, Y., Kim, K. K., Byun, J., Kim, S. J., Jeong, J., et al. (2019) · Nature · doi:10.1038/s41586-019-0931-y · Cited by 161 · see citing works
The impact of taxing working memory on negative and positive memories
Engelhard, I. M., van Uijen, S. L., & van den Hout, M. (2010) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.3402/ejpt.v1i0.5623 · Cited by 160 · see citing works
EMDR beyond PTSD: A Systematic Literature Review
Valiente-Gómez, A., Moreno-Alcázar, A., Treen, D., Cedrón, C., Colom, F., Pérez, V., & Amann, B. (2017) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01668 · Cited by 154 · see citing works
Engelhard, I. M., van den Hout, M., & Smeets, M. A. M. (2010) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2010.09.004 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
Nijdam, M. J., Gersons, B. P. R., Reitsma, J. B., de Jongh, A., & Olff, M. (2012) · The British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.111.099234 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
de Bont, P. A. J. M., van den Berg, D. P. G., van der Vleugel, B. M., de Roos, C., de Jongh, A., van der Gaag, M., & van Minnen, A. M. (2016) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291716001094 · Cited by 131 · see citing works
Boterhoven de Haan, K. L., Lee, C. W., Fassbinder, E., van Es, S. M., Menninga, S., Meewisse, M.-L., Rijkeboer, M., Kousemaker, M., & Arntz, A. (2020) · The British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.2020.158 · Cited by 129 · see citing works
Kemps, E., & Tiggemann, M. (2007) · Memory · doi:10.1080/09658210701262017 · Cited by 117 · see citing works
Cost-effectiveness of psychological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults
Mavranezouli, I., Megnin-Viggars, O., Grey, N., Bhutani, G., Leach, J., Daly, C., Dias, S., Welton, N. J., Katona, C., El-Leithy, S., et al. (2020) · PLOS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0232245 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
Self-citationvan den Hout, M., Engelhard, I. M., Smeets, M. A. M., Hornsveld, H. K., Hoogeveen, E., de Heer, E., Toffolo, M. B. J., & Rijkeboer, M. M. (2010) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.1677 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
de Roos, C., van der Oord, S., Zijlstra, B., Lucassen, S., Perrin, S., Emmelkamp, P., & de Jongh, A. (2017) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/jcpp.12768 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
Increased interhemispheric interaction is associated with earlier offset of childhood amnesia.
Christman, S. D., Propper, R. E., & Brown, T. J. (2006) · Neuropsychology · doi:10.1037/0894-4105.20.3.336 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
EMDR and CBT for Cancer Patients: Comparative Study of Effects on PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression
Capezzani, L., Ostacoli, L., Cavallo, M., Carletto, S., Fernández, I., Solomon, R. M., Pagani, M., & Cantelmi, T. (2013) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.7.3.134 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Yurtsever, A., Konuk, E., Akyüz, T., Zat, Z., Tükel, F., Çetinkaya, M., Savran, C., & Shapiro, E. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00493 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
de Jongh, A., Ernst, R., Marques, L., & Hornsveld, H. K. (2013) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2013.07.002 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Voorendonk, E. M., de Jongh, A., Rozendaal, L., & van Minnen, A. (2020) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2020.1783955 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Högberg, G., Pagani, M., Sundin, Ö., Soares, J. J. F., Åberg‐Wistedt, A., Tärnell, B., & Hällström, T. (2007) · Nordic Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1080/08039480601129408 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
The AIP Model of EMDR Therapy and Pathogenic Memories
Hase, M., Balmaceda, U. M., Ostacoli, L., Liebermann, P., & Hofmann, A. (2017) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01578 · Cited by 86 · see citing works
Eye-Movement Intervention Enhances Extinction via Amygdala Deactivation
de Voogd, L. D., Kanen, J. W., Neville, D. A., Roelofs, K., Fernández, G., & Hermans, E. J. (2018) · Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.0703-18.2018 · Cited by 85 · see citing works
ter Heide, F. J. J., Mooren, T. T. M., van de Schoot, R., de Jongh, A., & Kleber, R. J. (2016) · The British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.115.167775 · Cited by 81 · see citing works
Samara, Z., Elzinga, B. M., Slagter, H. A., & Nieuwenhuis, S. (2011) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2011.00004 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
de Jongh, A., Amann, B. L., Hofmann, A., Farrell, D. P., & Lee, C. W. (2019) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.261 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
Yunitri, N., Chu, H., Kang, X. L., Wiratama, B. S., Lee, T., Chang, L., Liu, D., Kustanti, C. Y., Chiang, K., Chen, R., et al. (2023) · Psychological Medicine · doi:10.1017/s0033291722003737 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
van Veen, S. C., van Schie, K., Meij, L. W., Littel, M., Engelhard, I. M., & van den Hout, M. (2015) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00045 · Cited by 68 · see citing works
Evaluating the EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol With Refugees: A Field Study
Lehnung, M., Shapiro, E., Schreiber, M., & Hofmann, A. (2017) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.11.3.129 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Long-term outcomes of trauma-focused treatment in psychosis
van den Berg, D. P. G., de Bont, P. A. J. M., van der Vleugel, B. M., de Roos, C., de Jongh, A., van Minnen, A., & van der Gaag, M. (2018) · The British Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1192/bjp.2017.30 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Yunitri, N., Kao, C.-C., Chu, H., Voss, J., Chiu, H.-L., Liu, D., Shen, S.-T. H., Chang, P.-C., Kang, X. L., & Chou, K.-R. (2020) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.01.005 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Carletto, S., Borghi, M., Bertino, G., Oliva, F., Cavallo, M., Hofmann, A., Zennaro, A., Malucchi, S., & Ostacoli, L. (2016) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00526 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Effects of bilateral eye movements on gist based false recognition in the DRM paradigm
Parker, A., & Dagnall, N. (2006) · Brain and Cognition · doi:10.1016/j.bandc.2006.08.005 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Blurring of emotional and non-emotional memories by taxing working memory during recall
van den Hout, M., Eidhof, M. B., Verboom, J., Littel, M., & Engelhard, I. M. (2013) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2013.848785 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Kaptan, S. K., Özen‐Dursun, B., Knowles, M., Husain, N., & Varese, F. (2021) · Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy · doi:10.1002/cpp.2549 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
van Vliet, N. I., Huntjens, R. J. C., van Dijk, M. K., Bachrach, N., Meewisse, M., & de Jongh, A. (2021) · BJPsych Open · doi:10.1192/bjo.2021.1057 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Matthijssen, S. J. M. A., Brouwers, T. C., van Roozendaal, C., Vuister, T., & de Jongh, A. (2021) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2021.1956793 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
The Current Status of EMDR Therapy, Specific Target Areas, and Goals for the Future
Matthijssen, S. J. M. A., Lee, C. W., de Roos, C., Barron, I. G., Jarero, I., Shapiro, E., Hurley, E. C., Schubert, S. J., Baptist, J., Amann, B. L., et al. (2020) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/emdr-d-20-00039 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Intensive EMDR to Treat Patients With Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Case Series
Bongaerts, H., van Minnen, A., & de Jongh, A. (2017) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.11.2.84 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Considering Mechanisms of Action in EMDR
Maxfield, L. (2008) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.2.4.234 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Can working memory account for EMDR efficacy in PTSD?
Wadji, D. L., Martin-Söelch, C., & Camos, V. (2022) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-022-00951-0 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Griffioen, B. T., van der Vegt, A. A., de Groot, I. W., & de Jongh, A. (2017) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01910 · Cited by 33 · see citing works
Stress Enhances the Memory-Degrading Effects of Eye Movements on Emotionally Neutral Memories
Littel, M., Remijn, M., Tinga, A. M., Engelhard, I. M., & van den Hout, M. (2017) · Clinical Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/2167702616687292 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
A cognitively demanding working-memory intervention enhances extinction
de Voogd, L. D., & Phelps, E. A. (2020) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-63811-0 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Mevissen, L., Ooms-Evers, M., Serra, M., de Jongh, A., & Didden, R. (2020) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008198.2020.1777809 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Voorendonk, E. M., Sanches, S. A., Tollenaar, M. S., Hoogendoorn, E. A., de Jongh, A., & van Minnen, A. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1215250 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
The Current Status of EMDR Therapy Involving the Treatment of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
de Jongh, A., Bicanic, I., Matthijssen, S. J. M. A., Amann, B. L., Hofmann, A., Farrell, D. P., Lee, C. W., & Maxfield, L. (2019) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.284 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Farrell, D. P., Kiernan, M. D., de Jongh, A., Miller, P. W., Bumke, P. J., Ahmad, S., Knibbs, L., Mattheß, C., Keenan, P., & Mattheß, H. (2020) · Journal of International Humanitarian Action · doi:10.1186/s41018-020-00070-8 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Pierce, Z. P., & Black, J. M. (2021) · Trauma Violence & Abuse · doi:10.1177/15248380211048446 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Johnson, D. R., & Lubin, H. (2006) · Traumatology An International Journal · doi:10.1177/153476560601200106 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Matthijssen, S. J. M. A., van Schie, K., & van den Hout, M. (2018) · Cognition & Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2018.1547271 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Littel, M., & van Schie, K. (2019) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2019.101484 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Adding EMDR for PTSD at the onset of treatment of borderline personality disorder: A pilot study
Wilhelmus, B., Marissen, M. A. E., van den Berg, D. P. G., Driessen, A., Deen, M. L., & Slotema, K. (2023) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2023.101834 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Eye movement desensitization reprocessing as a treatment for PTSD in conflict-affected areas.
Wippich, A., Howatson, G., Allen, G., Farrell, D. P., Kiernan, M. D., & Scott, A. (2023) · Psychological Trauma Theory Research Practice and Policy · doi:10.1037/tra0001430 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Madnick, D., & Spokas, M. E. (2022) · Clinical Psychology Science and Practice · doi:10.1037/cps0000067 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs: 20 Years and Counting
Gelbach, R. A. (2014) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.8.4.196 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
EMDR e terapia psicofarmacologica nel trattamento del disturbo da stress post-traumatico
Arnone, R., Orrico, A., D’aquino, G., & Munzio, W. D. (2012) · Rivista di psichiatria · doi:10.1708/1071.11732 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Cultural Competence and Healing Culturally Based Trauma With EMDR Therapy
Nickerson, M., Thomas, R., Nickerson, M., Nickerson, M., Nickerson, M., Nickerson, M., Nickerson, M., Nickerson, M., Nickerson, M., Ashley, W., et al. (2022) · Springer Publishing Company eBooks · doi:10.1891/9780826163424 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Seponski, D. M. (2011). Exploring eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as a culturally responsive Cambodian model of therapy [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Georgia. https:// getd.libs.uga.edu/pdfs/seponski_desiree_m_201108_phd.pdf
- Smyth-Dent, K., Fitzgerald, J., & Hagos, Y. (2019). A field study on the EMDR integrative group treatment protocol for ongoing traumatic stress provided to adolescent Eritrean refugees living in Ethiopia. Psychology and Behavioral Science International Journal, 12(4), 1- 12. https://doi.org/10.19080/PBSIJ.2019.12.555842 · DOI
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Velu, M. E., Kuiper, R. M., Schok, M., Sleijpen, M., de Roos, C., & Mooren, T. T. M. (2025) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2025.2494362 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“While EMDR therapy has predominantly been tested and applied in Western contexts, these outcomes support the increasing evidence for its e ff ectiveness and suitability for treating trauma symptoms across diverse cultural and ethnic groups, including non-Western settings (de Jongh et al., 2024).”
D’Angelo, M., Valenza, M., Iazzolino, A. M., Longobardi, G., Stefano, V. D., Lanzara, E., Visalli, G., Steardo, L., Scuderi, C., & Steardo, L. (2024) · Medicina · doi:10.3390/medicina60030408 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Sensorimotor psychotherapy focuses on the interconnection between bodily sensations, emotions, and cognitive processes, allowing individuals to access and process traumatic memories stored in the body [73].”
BackgroundMultiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Clinical Perspective
Jacques, L. (2024) · Brain Sciences · doi:10.3390/brainsci14121261 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Versluis, A., de Jongh, A., Mevissen, L., Schuengel, C., Bakkum, L., & Didden, R. (2025) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2025.2495642 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Trauma-focused therapeutic approaches such as eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy have shown promising results for individuals in the general population (De Jongh et al., 2024).”
EMDR treatment in patients with personality disorders. Should we fear symptom exacerbation?
Hafkemeijer, L., de Jongh, A., Starrenburg, A., Hoekstra, T., & Slotema, K. (2024) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2024.2407222 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“After activation, with EMDR therapy, these disturbing memories are processed by performing a task that demands working memory (De Jongh et al., 2013; De Jongh et al., 2024a; Shapiro, 2018).”
Rentinck, E. M., van Mourik, R., de Jongh, A., & Matthijssen, S. J. M. A. (2025) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2025.2451478 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“On the other hand, EMDR therapy facilitates the processing of traumatic memories by taxing patients’ working memory, which reduces the emotional intensity of memories (De Jongh et al., 2024).”
Spicer, L. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1357390 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“In their multicenter randomized control trial, self-rated scores for persistent complex bereavement, depression, and PTSD were comparted between an immediate treatment and waitlist control in 39 Dutch adults.”
InfluentialEye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) within prisons and the criminal justice system
Crole-Rees, C., Lawrence, D., Blundell, L., Saward, K., Jones, L., Anany, S. E., Simon, G., Kalebic, N., & Forrester, A. (2024) · Medicine Science and the Law · doi:10.1177/00258024241293540 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“37 Despite these advantages, there are a number of complex environmental and contextual factors within prisons that may be barriers to effective delivery of EMDR or other trauma therapies.”
van Geusau, V. A., Nuijs, M. D., de Jongh, A., Moerbeek, M., & Matthijssen, S. J. M. A. (2025) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2025.2536973 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Extensive research conducted on EMDR therapy supports its effectiveness in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions (De Jongh et al., 2024; Valiente-Gómez et al., 2017).”
de Roos, C., Offermans, J. E., Bouwmeester, S., Lindauer, R., & Scheper, F. Y. (2025) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2024.2447654 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Hatoum, A. H., & Burton, A. L. (2024) · Mental Health Science · doi:10.1002/mhs2.92 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Potharst, E. S., Holtkamp, P., Walliser, L., Dommerholt, A. H., van den Heuvel, M. E. N., Spierts, I., & Marić, M. (2024) · Evaluation & the Health Professions · doi:10.1177/01632787241268176 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“Regarding the taxation of working memory: in a recent state of the science article on EMDR, this has been identi fi ed as the hypothesized mechanism of action of EMDR for which most evidence is available (de Jongh et al., 2024).”
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy in Persons With Personality Disorders
Hofman, S., Hafkemeijer, L., de Jongh, A., & Slotema, C. W. (2025) · JAMA Network Open · doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.33421 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Svensén, S., Bolstad, I., Ødbehr, L. S., & Larsson, G. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1456282 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Lancaster, S. L., Renno, S., & Linkh, D. J. (2025) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.70008 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“…PE is typically delivered in eight to 15 sessions (McLean & Foa, 2011); EMDR may range from five to 15 sessions depending on trauma complexity (de Jongh et al., 2024; Navarro et al., 2018); and CPT is increasingly delivered flexibly, with clients completing treatment as early as four sessions…”
Haddad, R. H., Price, M. M., Haddad, R. H., Abuejheisheh, A. J., Abuhashish, Y. H., & Hamdan‐Mansour, A. M. (2025) · Chronic Stress · doi:10.1177/24705470251352627 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Affect-Focused EMDR: Clinical Strategies for Working with Relational Trauma
Cornil, L., & Limbergen, O. V. (2025) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.34133/jemdr.0013 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Villegas-Ortega, J., Gálvez-Arévalo, R. A., Castilla-Encinas, A. M., Gutiérrez-González, B., Apolitano-Cárdenas, C., Alvarez-Arias, P. M. A., Paredes-Ángeles, R., & Taype-Rondán, Á. (2025) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2025.120134 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Dodds, C., Dawson, R. L., Lim, A., Tye, S. J., & Nasrallah, F. A. (2025) · Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1177/20451253251396255 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Haddad, R. H., Hani, S. B., Abuhashish, Y. H., & Hamdan‐Mansour, A. M. (2026) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-025-08969-4 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“As suggested by de Jongh et al. (2024), such integration is associated with reductions in post-traumatic symptoms such as anxiety, hyperarousal, nightmares, and intrusive recollections, outcomes that were consistently described by participants in this study.”
Hafkemeijer, L., Hofman, S., de Jongh, A., de Roos, D., van Velzen, M., Starrenburg, A., & Slotema, K. (2025) · Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics · doi:10.1159/000547622 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Recent studies have found that eye movement de-sensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, a first-line evidence-based trauma-focused therapy [14], is effective in individuals with a PD and comorbid PTSD [4, 15].”
Gautier, J., & Gonthier, C. (2025) · Psychonomic Bulletin & Review · doi:10.3758/s13423-025-02641-5 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“…is still debated: although the beneficial effect of eye movements could be due to their interfering with vivid reconstruction of mental visual images, many authors argue this is due instead to induced eye movements taxing working memory resources (Guntner & Bodner, 2008; de Jongh et al., 2024).”
Jamshidi, F., de Jongh, A., Rajabi, S., Dehghani, Y., & Pakizeh, A. (2025) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/s10608-025-10641-x · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Positioning Occupational Therapy in Trauma Care: A Systems-Theoretical Proposal
Staller, M. S., Kramer, A., & Körner, S. (2025) · Occupational Therapy in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/0164212x.2025.2554844 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Svensén, S., Bolstad, I., Ødbehr, L. S., & Larsson, G. (2025) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2025.2582354 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“The individual therapy, given once a week, consisted of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (Ecker et al., 2024) and eye movement desensitization reprocessing therapy (de Jongh et al., 2024).”
Takamatsu, N., Zain, E., Lo, K. Y. H., Prelog, P. R., Keynejad, R. C., Andress, C., Motamed, M., Shamspour, M., Quezon‐Santos, A. S. C., Smolarczyk, J., et al. (2026) · Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences · doi:10.1111/pcn.70024 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Targeting craving with EMDR therapy: Future directions
Larsen, J. K., Markus, W., Wiers, R. W. H. J., & de Jongh, A. (2025) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2025.108288 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Emotional freedom techniques in mental health care: evidence review, gaps, and future directions
Salicru, S. (2025) · Academia Mental Health and Well-Being · doi:10.20935/mhealthwellb7723 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Kerkhof, A. J. F. M., de Jongh, A., & Oppenheim, H. J. (2025) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.34133/jemdr.0008 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
O’DONOVAN, S., Ward, L. G., & Melia, R. (2025) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-099751 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Understanding PTSD and Dissociation in Wartime: Direct and Indirect Trauma Exposure
Rubinstein, D., Lahad, M., Aharonson‐Daniel, L., Proyer, R. T., Mizrahi, D., & Harpaz‐Rotem, I. (2025) · Journal of Trauma & Dissociation · doi:10.1080/15299732.2025.2571109 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Tailored therapeutic approaches should be considered (Galovski et al., 2024), such as trauma-focused therapies that can fit multiple trauma and ongoing threat, for example, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR; De Jongh et al., 2024) and SEE FAR CBT (i.e., Lahad et al., 2016).”
Ajele, K. W., & Idemudia, E. S. (2025) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.34133/jemdr.0017 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Bielawiec, T., Melvin, B., Ram, B. S., & Anițescu, M. (2026) · Current Psychiatry Reports · doi:10.1007/s11920-026-01666-4 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Jansma, M., Kooij, L. H., Zijlstra, B. J. H., de Roos, C., & Utens, E. M. W. J. (2026) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.34133/jemdr.0032 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Wiss, D. A., & Logan, A. C. (2026) · Journal of Eating Disorders · doi:10.1186/s40337-026-01618-6 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Third, evidence-based trauma-focused therapies such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing or prolonged exposure should be integrated when PTSD is present [186, 187].”
Vaidyanathan, S., Praharaj, S. K., Rege, S., & Rai, S. (2026) · Counselling and Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/capr.70140 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Lohawala, N., McNulty, N., El-Ghaly, H., Leckstein, C., Baker, A., Ghani, M., O’Driscoll, M., Hendy, A. S., & Howells, S. (2026) · The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist · doi:10.1017/s1754470x26100737 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“Adherence to treatment protocol has also been linked to the size of treatment effect in EMDR (de Jongh et al ., 2024).”
Susanty, E., Sijbrandij, M., Srisayekti, W., Suparman, Y., & Huizink, A. C. (2024) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-024-06420-9 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Indeed, similar to other trauma-focused interventions such as exposure therapy, EMDR involves the recollection of traumatic memories and exploration of their related emotions, meanings, and physical sensations [41].”
Pre-Sleep Anxiety: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches in Clinical Practice.
Song, S., Irfan, M., Tahir, Z., Garrison, K. A., & Ziskind, S. (2026) · Current Sleep Medicine Reports · doi:10.1007/s40675-026-00370-2
Editorial: State of the Journal
Sloan, D. M. (2024) · Journal of Traumatic Stress · doi:10.1002/jts.23027
A much-needed guide for today’s world
Wheat, L. S. (2024) · Death Studies · doi:10.1080/07481187.2024.2323247
“Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a current frontrunner in the field of trauma treatment (de Jongh et al., 2024) but may be unknown to clinicians and researchers steeped primarily in thanatology.”
The evolution and future of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy
Miller, P. W. (2024) · BJPsych Advances · doi:10.1192/bja.2024.25
Thompson, A. N. (2024) · Urban Social Work · doi:10.1891/usw-2024-0013
An Interview With Ignacio (Nacho) Jarero
Rydberg, J. A. (2024) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/emdr-2024-0050
Апанович, Т. М. (2024) · International journal of medicine and psychology. · doi:10.58224/2658-3313-2024-7-5-186-195
Defining PTSD Both Behaviorally and Phenomenologically
Nair, D. S. (2024) · Advances in medical diagnosis, treatment, and care (AMDTC) book series · doi:10.4018/979-8-3693-2089-1.ch001
Advances in the Management of Trauma Disorders
Hamlett, G. E., Schiffer, M. B., Hershfield, J., & Kirk, N. P. V. (2025) · Advances in Psychiatry and Behavioral Health · doi:10.1016/j.ypsc.2025.02.007
Broekman-Labinac, K., Aben, L., Thijs, R. D., Smeding, H. M. M., de Jongh, A., & van der Hiele, K. (2025) · Epilepsy & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.yebeh.2025.110493
Chan, O., Mu, M., Debus, A., Dohan, M., Nicholls, D., Wallang, P. M., & Breen, K. C. (2025) · Mental Health and Digital Technologies · doi:10.1108/mhdt-02-2025-0014
Vesseur, E. M., de Roos, C., Scholten, L., & Haverman, L. (2025) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-025-03043-x
“A first-choice evidence-based treatment for PTSD is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) [4, 5], recommended by respected organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and The International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) [5].”
Cotardo, F., Koumantakis, E., Rossini, P. G., Malandrone, F., Berchialla, P., Ostacoli, L., & Carletto, S. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1688526
“Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach developed by Francine Shapiro in 1989 to address psychological symptoms associated with traumatic memories (Shapiro, 2007; de Jongh et al., 2024).”
Harris, A. (2026) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.34133/jemdr.0024
Ligorio, L. E., Rossi, A. A., Sala, R., Pesavento, F., Musco, F., Mannarini, S., & Bollina, R. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1759849
Molina, B. (2025) · ISEO Journal · doi:10.63344/nwh8vv64
Maksimova, N. V., Petrova, R. V., & Preobrazhenskaya, E. V. (2026) · Bulletin of psychotherapy · doi:10.25016/2782-652x-2025-0-96-93-103
Bin, F., Disnan, R., Langher, V., Marchetti, D., Bin, M. M., & Beltrame, L. (2026) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.34133/jemdr.0030
A “Decisive Moment” Confirms the Origins of EMDR and Draws Attention to Other Claims
Rosen, G., & Pankratz, L. (2026) · Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy · doi:10.1007/s10879-026-09713-0
“…of EMDR 2.0 and the claim that it improves on Shapiro’s original methods by employing distracting tasks such as, “spelling words or sentences forward and backward or reciting the alphabet; singing a song; or tapping out complex rhythms on the shoulders or legs” (de Jongh et al., 2023, p. 209).”
InfluentialArmand, C., Guillaume, F., & Rey, A. (2026) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.jbtep.2026.102090
O’Leary, D., Mulvaney, P., Moore, L., O’Connor, L., Rooney, B., & Gaynor, K. (2026) · European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation · doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2026.100669
Means, E. L., Roman, R., Hu, M., & Sahlin, M. (2026) · The Scandinavian Psychoanalytic Review · doi:10.1080/01062301.2026.2649429
Zaporozhets, O., Lincoln, K., Souza, V. F. D., Lafountain, E., Brea, J., Rizzo, A. A., & Syvak, O. (2026) · Continuing Professional Education Theory and Practice · doi:10.28925/2412-0774.2026.1.2
The Lived Experience of Adaptive Resolution in EMDR Therapy: A Phenomenological Study
Dekker, D. (2026) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.34133/jemdr.0037
Arriazu-Domínguez, M., Martínez-Calderón, J., Matias-Soto, J., & Cano‐García, F. J. (2026) · European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation · doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2026.100704
Judicial assessment of testimonial reliability after EMDR therapy: a case-series analysis
Pacchioni, F., Flutti, E., Ballabio, M., Giovannelli, M. E., Magatti, C., & Travaini, G. V. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1809865
Hoogstad, A., Bouwmeester, S., Mevissen, L., & Didden, R. (2026) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2026.2673670
“Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a structured, evidence-based treat-ment for PTSD in children and adults without ID (De Jongh et al., 2024).”
Velu, M. E., de Roos, C., van der Aa, N., Jongedijk, R. A., Lindauer, R., & Mooren, T. T. M. (2026) · Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health · doi:10.1186/s13034-026-01118-0
“Although applied and studied in predominantly Western contexts, emerging evidence supports its effectiveness and applicability for diverse cultural and ethnic groups [13].”
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment for birth trauma: a scoping review
O’DONOVAN, S., Ward, L. G., & Melia, R. (2026) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2026.2678658
“EMDR has strong evidence for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), supported by over 30 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (de Jongh et al., 2024).”
Rouleaux, M., de Looff, P. C., Bouwmeester, S., Mevissen, L., Peters-Scheffer, N. C., Lindauer, R., & Didden, R. (2026) · European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation · doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2026.100719
A theory-driven rationale for EMDR therapy among patients with a personality disorder
Slotema, C. W., & de Jongh, A. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1905539
Evaluation of the effectiveness of EMDR therapy for children and adolescents in Ukraine during war
Beer, R., Garbade, M., Keßler, A., Verardo, A. R., Niederhuber, P., Uralova, O., Sachser, C., & Pfeiffer, E. (2026) · European Journal of Psychotraumatology · doi:10.1080/20008066.2026.2713259
“The effectiveness of EMDR using the standard protocol for adults, adolescents, and children with PTSD has been tested in over 30 RCTs (De Jongh et al., 2024).”
Erdoğan, D., Güven, R., & Karakartal, D. (2026) · Clinical Journal of Health Sciences · doi:10.35365/cjhs.26.2.08
Murphy, T. J., Jung, M., Hsiao, A., Martin, N. M., Jimenez, A. J., Munoz, A., Lai-Trzebiatowski, J., Smith, T. C., & Hollifield, M. A. (2026) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph23091159
Kalebic, N., Lawrence, D., Crole-Rees, C., Anany, S. E., Blundell, L., Jones, J., & Forrester, A. (2026) · Journal of Forensic Practice · doi:10.1108/jfp-04-2026-0049
Clinical Neuroplasticity in Integrative Primary Care
Takahashi, J. B. (2026) · Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice · doi:10.1016/j.pop.2026.07.010
EMDR and Equine‐Assisted Psychotherapy: A Retrospective Mixed‐Methods Case Series
Martin, A., Choe, K., Atkins, T., Battise, J., Collins, C. M., Gurley, D., Odoms, C., Robertson, C., Robinson, P., Scott, S., et al. (2026) · Counselling and Psychotherapy Research · doi:10.1002/capr.70225
Gómez-Salas, F. J., Ramallo-Machín, A., Burgos-Julián, F. A., Germán, M. Á. S., & González-Vázquez, A. I. (2026) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare14183107
Nijdam, M. J., Gersons, B. P. R., de Jongh, A., Jongedijk, R. A., van Minnen, A., & Wind, T. R. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1932004
“.1 EMDR therapy EMDR therapy is a relatively short protocolized treatment procedure that aims to attenuate (‘desensitize’) memories of distressing events (Shapiro, 2018) as part of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders; (De Jongh et al., 2024).”
Błaszczak, A. (2026) · Psychologia Wychowawcza · doi:10.71358/pw.2646
O’DONOVAN, S., Doyle, J., Nagle, U., & Melia, R. (2026) · Midwifery · doi:10.1016/j.midw.2026.105026
- Authors
- de Jongh, A., de Roos, C., & El‐Leithy, S.
- Affiliations
- Research Department PSYTREC Bilthoven The Netherlands
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Amsterdam UMC University of Amsterdam Amsterdam the Netherlands
- Springfield University Hospital (GB)
- Venue
- Journal of Traumatic Stress
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2024-01-28
- Volume
- 37
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 205-216
- ISSN
- 0894-9867 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-6598
- OpenAlex
- W4391319966
- Cited by
- 79
- References
- 82
- Citations by year
- 2026: 36 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 16
- FWCI
- 39.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Traumatic Stress (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- VU Research Portal (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Funders
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Keywords
- EMDR, post-traumatic stress disorder, psychotherapy efficacy, treatment safety, children, theoretical framework, randomized controlled trials
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Child, Eye Movements, Humans, Psychotherapy, Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic, Treatment Outcome, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
