EMDR: The Science Behind the Therapy

This episode explores the question “How does EMDR therapy work?” with its focus on EMDR’s use of bilateral eye movements. Other forms of bilateral stimulation are also discussed including kinesthetic stimulation, such as the Butterfly Hug and bilateral auditory stimulation. Drawing on insights from his textbook, A Guide to the Standard EMDR Therapy Protocols (2nd ed.) and an EMDRIA Conference presentation, Dr. Andrew Leeds reviews the latest research studies that clarify and strengthen our understanding of EMDR therapy’s six key mechanisms of action. Listeners can access a related video, courses, and a free PDF through links in the show notes or from the March 2026 blog post at AndrewLeeds.net.
 
EMDR: The Science Behind the Therapy explores the latest clinical research and practical applications of EMDR therapy hosted by Andrew M. Leeds, PhD, Director of Training for Sonoma Psychotherapy Training Institute. This podcast highlights the latest contributions to EMDR research, practice and training. Each episode breaks down current studies, emerging protocols, and implications for clinical practice. Whether you’re an EMDR-trained therapist, a mental health professional, or simply curious about trauma treatment, this podcast brings you science-based insights you can trust.
  
References and links for this episode at: https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/index_files/EMDR_Research_News_March_2026.html
 
Watch or download the video for Dr. Leeds’s EMDRIA Conference presentation on “Mechanisms of action in EMDR therapy”: https://sonomapti.gumroad.com/l/xzlDL
 
Download the free PDF from Dr. Leeds’s EMDRIA Conference presentation on “Mechanisms of action in EMDR therapy”: https://andrewmleedsphd.gumroad.com/l/glnz
 
Read the latest EMDR Research blog: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/⁠
Learn about our EMDR therapy basic training program: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/basic-emdr-training/⁠
Earn EMDRIA Credits: https://www.andrewleeds.net
Subscribe to my newsletter: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/newsletter/⁠
Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewleeds/

EMDR: The Science Behind the Therapy explores the latest clinical research and practical applications of EMDR therapy hosted by Andrew M. Leeds, PhD, Director of Training for Sonoma Psychotherapy Training Institute. This podcast highlights the latest contributions to EMDR research, practice and training. Each episode breaks down current studies, emerging protocols, and implications for clinical practice. Whether you’re an EMDR-trained therapist, a mental health professional, or simply curious about trauma treatment, this podcast brings you science-based insights you can trust.

The February 2026 podcast reviews 14 new research reports. This includes 6 studies on adolescents, 3 meta-analyses, 2 randomized controlled studies, a laboratory study of a potential alternative to bilateral stimulation, a theoretical model on the role of exposure in trauma therapies, and a study protocol on the EMDR treatment of depression. All this and more in Episode 7 of EMDR: The Science behind the Therapy.

References for this episode at: https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/index_files/EMDR_Research_News_Month_2026.html
Read the latest EMDR Research blog: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/⁠
Find our EMDR therapy training programs: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/basic-emdr-training/⁠
Subscribe to my newsletter: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/newsletter/⁠
Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewleeds/

EMDR: The Science Behind the Therapy explores the latest clinical research and practical applications of EMDR therapy hosted by Andrew M. Leeds, PhD, Director of Training for Sonoma Psychotherapy Training Institute. This podcast highlights the latest contributions to EMDR research, practice and training. Each episode breaks down current studies, emerging protocols, and implications for clinical practice. Whether you’re an EMDR-trained therapist, a mental health professional, or simply curious about trauma treatment, this podcast brings you science-based insights you can trust.

This episode of the podcast focuses on Group EMDR therapy. First, we cover some early and recent research on Group EMDR therapy.
Then we present two interviews with important contributors to the literature on Group EMDR therapy, Ignacio (Nacho) Jarero and Regina Morrow Robinson.
Dr. Ignacio Jarero, Ph.D., Ed, D., who is widely known as Nacho, is the world pioneer in providing EMDR Therapy in a group format in person and online. His innovative work has extended AIP-informed Advanced Psychosocial Interventions for Trauma-Exposed Populations and AIP-informed Treatment Intervention Procedures for in-person and remote treatment.
Reg is a licensed marriage and family therapist and mental health counselor based in the Orlando, Florida area where she provides EMDR consultation through Windermere Counseling. In this podcast episode she appears in her role as co-editor of the 2024 book “EMDR Group Therapy: Emerging Principles and Protocols to Treat Trauma and Beyond.”

From Ignacio Nacho Jarero, “Practical research tools to improve the quality of EMDR therapy research.” Free download from Research Gate:
https://tinyl.co/49Ef

Read the latest EMDR Research blog: https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/
Find our EMDR therapy training programs: https://www.sonomapti.com/basic-emdr-training/
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.sonomapti.com/newsletter/
Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewleeds/

EMDR: The Science Behind the Therapy explores the latest clinical research and practical applications of EMDR therapy hosted by Andrew M. Leeds, PhD, Director of Training for Sonoma Psychotherapy Training Institute. This podcast highlights the latest contributions to EMDR research, practice and training. Each episode breaks down current studies, emerging protocols, and implications for clinical practice. Whether you’re an EMDR-trained therapist, a mental health professional, or simply curious about trauma treatment, this podcast brings you science-based insights you can trust.
Read the latest EMDR Research blog: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/⁠
Find our EMDR therapy training programs: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/basic-emdr-training/⁠
Subscribe to my newsletter: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/newsletter/⁠
Follow me on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewleeds/⁠

Episode 5 covers recent research on EMDR therapy.
Papers on Group administered EMDR therapy.

Comparison of EMDR teletherapy vs. in-person therapy for veterans with PTSD.

Review of treating Complex PTSD with Schema Therapy, Imagery Rescripting, and EMDR.

A study questioning if psychotropic medication reduces benefits of intensive EMDR.

Experimental evidence that bilateral stimulation boosts frontal EEG activity and lowers autonomic arousal.

Featured segment: randomized controlled study on psychological and immunological benefits of EMDR in Hashimoto thyroiditis patients.

Review of earlier studies showing epigenetic and methylation changes linked to EMDR in autoimmune conditions.

Exploration of EMDR use in patients with psychosis, including research in a secure forensic hospital.

An open access special issue in Clinical Neuropsychiatry with 16 articles on attachment theory in treating early neglect and abuse survivors.

EMDR: The Science Behind the Therapy explores the latest clinical research and practical applications of EMDR therapy hosted by Andrew M. Leeds, PhD, Director of Training for Sonoma Psychotherapy Training Institute. This podcast highlights the latest contributions to EMDR research, practice and training. Each episode breaks down current studies, emerging protocols, and implications for clinical practice. Whether you’re an EMDR-trained therapist, a mental health professional, or simply curious about trauma treatment, this podcast brings you science-based insights you can trust.
Read the latest EMDR Research blog: https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/
Find our EMDR therapy training programs: https://www.sonomapti.com/basic-emdr-training/
Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.sonomapti.com/newsletter/
Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewleeds/