How does EMDR compare to other therapies for trauma? What is the role of the eye movements? What does the research indicate about EMDR's efficacy? Addressing these key questions and more, this compelling video provides an insightful view of EMDR, probing both its widespread popularity and its controversial nature. Larry Beutler, prominent psychotherapy researcher, serves as commentator in a presentation that features Francine Shapiro, EMDR's originator, as well as other authorities in the field, including Terence M. Keane, Kim Mueser, and Bessel van der Kolk.
Bringing the therapy to life are simulated client sessions in which Dr. Shapiro demonstrates the eight-step EMDR protocol, including the much-talked-about eye movements. In an overview of trauma, Dr. Shapiro describes how persistent, profound, and deeply disturbing the effects of trauma can be. Exposure to extreme trauma can result in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms such as nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, phobias, and anxiety. Shapiro explains how EMDR has been shown to benefit victims of trauma by helping them reprocess disturbing thoughts and memories. Exploring a range of issues surrounding EMDR, Drs. Beutler, van der Kolk, Keane, Mueser, and others present their own perspectives and report on the current research.

The Manual
Enhancing the video's usefulness is an accompanying manual by Jon Allen and associates that reviews the clinical protocol and available data and features a helpful patient education handout.