05/03/2026
A new systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials has provided one of the most comprehensive evaluations of EMDR therapy to date (Simpson et al 2025)
Here are some key findings that stood out:
🦋 Strong evidence base
The review analysed 29 randomized controlled trials examining EMDR for PTSD in adults.
🦋 Comparable effectiveness to trauma-focused CBT
Across studies, EMDR and trauma-focused CBT showed similar improvements in PTSD symptoms, confirming EMDR as a first-line trauma treatment alongside CBT approaches.
🦋 Significantly better than no treatment or usual care
When compared with waitlist or usual care, EMDR showed large and statistically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, both immediately after treatment and at follow-up.
🦋 Often fewer sessions required
Several trials found similar clinical outcomes with fewer EMDR sessions, meaning less therapist time and a lower burden on clients.
🦋 Highly cost-effective
Economic modelling suggested that EMDR may be the most cost-effective intervention among multiple PTSD treatments, including TF-CBT.
🦋 High acceptability for clients
Drop-out rates were low and adverse events were rare, suggesting EMDR is both effective and well-tolerated.
For clinicians working with trauma, this reinforces something many of us see in practice every day:
🦋 When we work directly with the memory networks driving distress, change can happen faster and more sustainably.
EMDR continues to be one of the most powerful evidence-based approaches we have for trauma recovery.
I'm always fascinated by how the research continues to catch up with what therapists see in the therapy room.
Save this post for when you need to look at the evidence base in the future.
Simpson, E., Carroll, C., Sutton, A., Forsyth, J., Tayner, A., Ren, S., Franklin, M., & Wood, E (2025) Clinical and cost-effectiveness of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing for treatment and prevetntion of post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: A systemic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Psychology, 116, 1128 - 1149
