This treatment involves moving your eyes back and forth while engaging in systematic desensitization. And maybe a purple hat. Does EMDR work for PTSD or other mental health issues? We unpack the "philosophy" and science behind EMDR. What's there, what isn't, and how we might tell the difference.

Recommendations
- Abraham: Verdant (game: https://www.flatout.games/verdant)
- Shane: IT by Stephen King (https://stephenking.com/works/novel/it.html)

Links and Sources
1. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/treatments/eye-movement-reprocessing
2. https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/emdr.asp
3. VanElzakker, M. B., Dahlgren, M. K., Davis, F. C., Dubois, S., & Shin, L. M. (2014). From Pavlov to PTSD: the extinction of conditioned fear in rodents, humans, and anxiety disorders. Neurobiology of learning and memory, 113, 3–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nlm.2013.11.014
4. Hoogsteder, L. M., Ten Thije, L., Schippers, E. E., & Stams, G. (2022). A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of EMDR and TF-CBT in Reducing Trauma Symptoms and Externalizing Behavior Problems in Adolescents. International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology, 66(6-7), 735–757. https://doi.org/10.1177/0306624X211010290
5. https://centerfordiscovery.com/understanding-actually-happens-emdr-therapy/
6. Menon, S. B., & Jayan, C. (2010). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: a conceptual framework. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 32(2), 136–140. https://doi.org/10.4103/0253-7176.78512
7. Shapiro, F. (1989), Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories. J. Traum. Stress, 2: 199-223. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.2490020207
8. Cuijpers, P., Veen, S., Sijbrandij, M., Yoder, W., & Cristea, I. A. (2020). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for mental health problems: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cognitive behaviour therapy, 49(3), 165–180. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2019.1703801
9. Rajaraman, A., Austin, J.L., Gover, H.C., Cammilleri, A.P., Donnelly, D.R. and Hanley, G.P. (2022), Toward trauma-informed applications of behavior analysis. Jnl of Applied Behav Analysis, 55: 40-61. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.881
10. https://phtherapies.wordpress.com/2011/09/15/emdr-empirically-supported-treatment-or-pseudoscience/
11. Herbert, J. D., Lilienfeld, S. O., Lohr, J. M., Montgomery, R. W., O'Donohue, W. T., Rosen, G. M., & Tolin, D. F. (2000). Science and pseudoscience in the development of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: implications for clinical psychology. Clinical psychology review, 20(8), 945–971. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0272-7358(99)00017-3
12. https://www.theskepticsguide.org/podcasts/episode-896

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.