In the News
Baylor Lariat article “Paddling Past Stress: How Waco Nature is Helping to Heal” shares the power of nature and bilateral movements in Summer Shine’s story of starting a kayak and paddleboard company. “Shine was in therapy and undergoing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), a treatment that uses physical sensations to help the brain process trauma. She soon realized that the rhythm of paddling — alternating strokes from side to side — mimicked the same patterns used in her sessions.”
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EMDR therapy is reported to be the therapy Cassie Ventura turned to “to cope with the impact of [Sean] Diddy [Combs] freak-off parties” as Daily Mail’s article states: “Cassie Used Prince Harry’s Favorite Trauma Therapy to Get Over Diddy Freak-Offs and Beatings.” Several other tabloid articles report the same including The New York Post, The MirrorUS, and TMZ. HotNewHipHop article shares she used EMDR and neurofeedback as part of her healing process for PTSD: “Ventura remained clear: her therapy wasn’t about love addiction, but about survival, clarity, and learning to live after trauma.”
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EMDRIA member Moushumi Sen, LCSW, is featured in People of Color in Psychology‘s podcast “AAPI Series: Conversations About Culturally Based EMDR and South Asian and Black American Solidarity” where she discusses culturally responsive EMDR, emphasizing the importance of cultural humility and culturally based trauma.
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The American Council on Science and Health article “A Good Walk: Eye Movements, Heart Rates, and the Science of Serenity” reports on a new study the dives into the relationship between eye movements and stress reduction, long believed an influencing mechanism of action for EMDR therapy treatment. Find the research article that discusses the “alignment between EMDR and their observations concerning gaze” in the EMDRIA library here: https://www.emdria.org/resource/eye-movement-patterns-drive-stress-reduction-during-japanese-garden-viewing-frontiers-in-neuroscience/.
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EMDR therapy is listed as a way “to handle trauma’s lasting impact” for film crew members in the movie and film industry. The Movie Blog’s article “Hollywood Car Crashes vs. Real Trauma: A Trauma Expert Reveals the Truth” shares more about the prevalence of trauma on sets in this industry.
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BBC article “Sex Abuse Charity Closes Waiting List Over Demand” reports on the efficacy of EMDR therapy for sexual abuse survivor “Dr Lovell [who] said: “I wish I had found this decades ago and been able to put some of the trauma down” and goes on to describe the number of survivors hoping to receive help exceeds the charity’s capacity to offer it – for now.
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EMDRIA member Suzanne Muirheid, LCPC, expands mental health services in Illinois, and EMDR therapy is a “key part of its therapy model.” News Channel Nebraska‘s article “Calm Mind Counseling Expands to New Therapy Clinic in Willowbrook Illinois” share more.
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KJZZ out of Phoenix reports “Arizona VA Grant Provides Free EMDR Trauma Therapy Training to Help Veterans” reporting EMDRIA member Kelly Smyth-Dent as a trainer for EMDR: “EMDR stands for eye movement, desensitization, and reprocessing,” she said. “I would explain it as a trauma therapy intervention that helps the brain to process and heal from disturbing memories.”
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An EMDR therapy journey helped high school gun violence survivor Keegan Gregory work through his trauma in this The Detroit News article “He Escaped a Killer at Oxford High School. His Fight For Survival Was Only Beginning.”
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Minnesota Daily article “Minnesotans Share Mental Health Struggles, Coping Skills to Raise Awareness” shares stories of Minnesotans overcoming mental health struggles for mental health awareness, naming EMDR therapy as effective for Misty Dearing.
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EMDRIA member Mark Nickerson, LICSW is interviewed by EMDRIA Member Jen Savage, LPC in Notice That podcast episode “EMDR, Cultural Humility, and Doing Your Own Work: Conversation With Mark Nickerson.”
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Military.com article “How Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Can Help Trauma Patients” discusses how helpful EMDR therapy has been and continues to be for first responders and those in military life.
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EMDR therapy helps content creators work through burnout in this Fast Company article about influencer mental health “The New Mental Health Service Targets Burned-Out Content Creators.”
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WBBJ in Jackson Tennessee reports “JMCSS Offers Therapy Services to Student Support Staff Amid Mental Health Awareness Month” sharing special recognition for school counselors and support staff that included EMDR therapy for Mental Health Awareness month.
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EMDRIA member Andrea Skaliks, LPC-S writes in OrthopedicsToday on using polyvgal informed EMDR therapy to help orthopedic patients managing pain: “I often tell my patients we forget that with any physical injury, there is the psychological part, too.”
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KSL out of Utah reports that a local bar acted as a hub for first responders to connect around coping strategies and therapies like EMDR therapy in “Firefighter’s Bar in Herriman Hosts Discussion on First Responder Trauma.”
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EMDR therapy is indicated as “particularly effective in addressing trauma” in this Soy Carmin article “From Heartbreak to Healing: Understanding the Path to Recovery After Abusive Relationships.”
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Eden Prairie Local News out of Minnesota shares a personal reflection of one person’s journy of healing that includes EMDR therapy as well as KAP and parts work. Read more in article “Integrating the Journey.”
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KKTV11 out of Colorado mentions EMDR therapy as a treatment for mental health issues in veterans and encourages veterans to reach out for help if needed. “As Mental Health Awareness Month Ends, Colorado Veteran Urges Others to Speak Up.”
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Additional Resources
If you are a therapist interested in the EMDR training:
- Learn more about EMDR therapy at the EMDRIA Library
- Learn more about EMDR Training
- Search for an EMDR Training Provider
- Check out our EMDR Training FAQ
If you are EMDR trained:
- Check out the EMDRIA Let’s Talk EMDR Podcast
- Check out the EMDRIA Focal Point Blog
- Learn more about EMDRIA membership
- Search for EMDR Continuing Education opportunities
If you are an EMDRIA™ Member:
Date
May 30, 2025
