When Attachment Wounds Run Deep: EMDR Therapy in the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder

EMDRIA member Kimberly Wilder shares how EMDR therapy can address attachment trauma, emotional dysregulation, and relational patterns associated with borderline presentations.

Expanded horizons: EMDR therapy in patients with a personality disorder (Erasmus University, 2025)

This dissertation investigates the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in individuals with a personality disorder (PD), with particular attention to those without PTSD. In addition to a theoretical framework and a detailed case study, two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted.

EMDR service evaluation: The impact of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing on symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder and risk in high secure forensic patients (EMDR Therapy Quarterly, 2025)

This study aims to measure the efficacy of EMDR in reducing symptoms of PTSD and related risk to self and others in patients from an NHS high secure hospital with a psychiatric diagnosis of serious mental disorder and PTSD, utilising third-party nursing observations from patients’ notes.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy in persons with personality disorders: A randomized clinical trial (JAMA Network Open)

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in reducing personality disorder (PD) symptoms compared with a waiting list, regardless of PTSD status.

The effectiveness of EMDR therapy on PTSD symptoms and diagnostic status in patients with a personality disorder: A randomized controlled trial (Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics)

 This study evaluated the effectiveness of EMDR versus waitlist in reducing PTSD symptoms and diagnostic status. EMDR effectively reduced PTSD symptoms in individuals with a personality disorder, regardless of PTSD diagnosis, and proved effective for memories not meeting Criterion A.

Effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in treating borderline personality disorder: A randomized controlled trial (Alpha Psychiatry)

This study aims to evaluate EMDR’s effectiveness in treating borderline personality disorder (BPD) through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) and compare its outcomes with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing with and without dialectical behaviour therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder and comorbid borderline personality disorder symptoms: A randomised controlled trial (Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics)

This study examined whether the concurrent application of EMDR therapy for PTSD and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for borderline personality disorder (BPD) yields better results than EMDR alone.

EMDR treatment in patients with personality disorders. Should we fear symptom exacerbation? (European Journal of Psychotraumatology)

This study explores trajectories of change in patients with a personality disorder (PD) without comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during EMDR therapy or waiting time.

Feasibility of EMDR toward personality functioning in older adults with PTSD (Clinical Gerontologist)

This study evaluated personality functioning in older adults with PTSD before and after EMDR therapy treatment

EMDR in older adults with PTSD and comorbid personality disorders (International Psychogeriatrics)

Approximately one third of older adults (≥ 60 years) with a PTSD also suffer from a comorbid personality disorder.

The AIP model as a theoretical framework for the treatment of personality disorders with EMDR therapy (Frontiers in Psychiatry)

This article discusses the theoretical framework behind EMDR therapy (the Adaptive Information Processing model). It uses a case example to demonstrate how to use the AIP model and EMDR therapy to conceptualize and treat personality disorders. 

Case report: Brief, intensive EMDR therapy for borderline personality disorder: Results of two case studies with one year follow-up (Frontiers in Psychiatry)

Follow up on two case studies in which EMDR therapy was used to treat borderline personality disorder.