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 clinicalpractice. 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 month, we explore how EMDR therapy is being adapted and scaled to meet trauma where it lives: in hospitals, clinics, homes, and war zones. From meta-analytic evidence on brief, often online group EMDR interventions for healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, to innovative group protocols that help overstretched public health systems reach people on long waiting lists, these studies show how EMDR can be delivered efficiently without sacrificing depth or safety. We look at parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders receiving intensive group EMDR over three days, older adults using EMDR to reclaimmovement and daily functioning from chronic pain and kinesiophobia, and Ukrainian clinicians applying EMDR-informed, low-threshold trauma support in the midst of ongoing war. We conclude with a conceptual deep dive into the EMDR Toolbox Method for complex PTSD and dissociation, which offers a structured way of mapping internal states and guiding treatment in highly complexpresentations.

Together, these reports trace a consistent theme: EMDR therapy as a flexible, scalable approach capable of reaching large and diverse populations while still honoring theindividual stories and nervous systems behind the data.

References for this episode at: https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/index_files/EMDR_Research_News_April_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/

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/