Efficacy of EMDR Therapy for Children With PTSD: A Review of the Literature
Abstract
The rationale is synthesized for the urgency of empirical studies demonstrating the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy for children and adolescents with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), symptoms of PTSD, or other trauma-related symptoms. This literature review examined 15 studies (including nine randomized clinical trials) that tested the efficacy of EMDR therapy for the treatment of children and adolescents with these symptoms. All studies found that EMDR therapy produced significant reductions in PTSD symptoms at posttreatment and also in other trauma-related symptoms, when measured. A methodological analysis identified limitations in most studies, reducing the value of these findings. Despite these shortcomings, the methodological strength of the identified studies has increased over time. The review also summarized three meta-analyses. The need for additional rigorous research is apparent, and in order to profit from experiences of the past, the article provides some guidelines for clinicians seeking to conduct future research in their agencies.
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EMDR has mainly been studied in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, showing effectiveness in treating clinical symptoms in both adults and children by targeting aversive trauma memories.
“Until now, EMDR has mainly been studied in individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), showing effectiveness in treating clinical symptoms in both adults and children by targeting aversive trauma memories (Beer 2018;Cusack et al. 2016;de Roos et al. 2011de Roos et al. , 2017)).”
From Negative Flashforward Imagery in Adolescent Social Anxiety Disorder: A Pilot Study of Imagery Reports and a Short EMDR Intervention. (2024) · cites this paper as Beer 2018
Cites
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BackgroundThe neurobiological consequences of early stress and childhood maltreatment
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“Chemtob, Nakashima, and Carlson (2002) examined the effects of EMDR on 32 children (6–12 years) who experienced intrusive memories of a hurricane that had taken place 3 years earlier.”
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EMDR treatment for children with PTSD: Results of a randomized controlled trial
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Barron, I. G., Bourgaize, C., Lempertz, D., Swinden, C., & Darker-Smith, S. (2019) · Journal of EMDR Practice and Research · doi:10.1891/1933-3196.13.4.270 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Beer, R.
- Affiliations
- Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Corresponding author
- Beer, Renée
- ORCID
- Beer, Renée
- Venue
- Journal of EMDR Practice and Research
- Published
- 2018-01
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 177-195
- ISSN
- 1933-3196 (ISSN-L)
- 1933-320X
- OpenAlex
- W2902197181
- Cited by
- 37
- References
- 12
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2
- FWCI
- 3.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of EMDR Practice and Research (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Keywords
- EMDR, post-traumatic stress disorder, children, adolescents, trauma symptoms, treatment efficacy, randomized controlled trials, methodological quality, meta-analysis, research guidelines
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