EMDR in working with migrants and refugees: Trauma therapy in an intercultural context

This chapter explains the neurobiological basis of EMDR, its eight-phase protocol, and how the method can be adapted in intercultural contexts.

Chapter Abstract

“The treatment of trauma among people with migration and refugee backgrounds involves specific clinical and contextual challenges that go beyond standard therapeutic settings. Migration is a multi-stage process often marked by repeated stressors, increasing the risk of mental health disorders. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-established first-line treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This chapter explains the neurobiological basis of EMDR, its eight-phase protocol, and how the method can be adapted in intercultural contexts. It also summarizes clinical trial evidence, highlighting cultural factors, the role of interpreters, and therapeutic settings. Findings show that EMDR can be highly effective for refugees and migrants when applied with cultural sensitivity.”

—Description from publisher

Chapter Access

Purchase Required

Tumani, V., & Hofmann, A. (2026). EMDR in working with migrants and refugees: Trauma therapy in an intercultural context. In M. Schouler-Ocak (Ed.), Trauma and Migration. (pp. 149-166). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-21028-9_10

Print ISBN: 978-3-032-21027-2

Online ISBN: 978-3-032-21028-9

—Description from publisher