In the News: August 28, 2026

In the News BBC covers new research (opens in new tab) on how EMDR therapy can be effective for people who stay in intensive care units (ICU), facing near-death and painful experiences in “ Therapy help for intensive care patients with PTSD” (opens in new tab) and shares patient Hazel Southam’s success story: “I was well cared for [in the ICU] but experienced delirium, probably because of the medication. I was later told that I had post-ICU PTSD… Before EMDR I was incredibly anxious, and stressed and suffered from insomnia, after EMDR I understood what had happened to me, it didn’t hold as much fear and I could sleep.” UK-based NHS University Hospital Southampton also covers this research in their press release, “ Research brings hope for intensive care survivors experiencing post-traumatic stress (opens in new tab) ” summarizing hopeful news for both EMDR therapy and patients recovering from critical illness who demonstrated improvements in post-traumatic stress symptoms after receiving EMDR therapy. Bates et al.’s (2026) EMERALD study was just published in July, and can be accessed from the EMDRIA library here (opens in new tab) . EMDR therapy gets a fun and quick movie reference here in The New Yorker movie review “ Hannah Einbinder’s Tricks and Treats. (opens in new tab) ” A scene is recalled when the main character taps on herself, saying “I have to do a little bit of work to access my childhood in general – give me one second….” EMDRIA Member, Approved Consultant™, and Trainer Debra Wesselmann, LIMHP (opens in new tab) is interviewed in this EIN Presswire article (opens in new tab) on how trauma is often at the root of addiction challenges, the links between adverse experiences and later health challenges, and how EMDR therapy can help. The article states, “The conversation surrounding EMDR reflects a broader shift in how trauma is understood and treated. Instead of asking only how someone can stop an unhealthy behavior, trauma-informed care asks a deeper question: What pain is the behavior attempting to manage?” This Austin, TX area news article in Newsbreak highlights an Austin Police Department initiative, ‘The RESET Project,’ launched to improve access to specialized trauma therapy for APD law enforcement officers by funding EMDR training in the Austin area for local clinicians. The trainings will be led by EMDRIA Members, Approved Consultant™, and Trainers™ Rick Levinson LCSW (opens in new tab) , Dr. Christie Sprowls (opens in new tab) , Viviana Triana, LCSW (opens in new tab) , and Dr. Ignacio Jarero (opens in new tab) . This KVUE news clip shares more about the program in “ Austin Police Department working to help connect officers with therapists. (opens in new tab) ” BBC news article “ Buried abuse memory brought sisters’ abuser to justice (opens in new tab) ” shares how EMDR therapy helped childhood abuse survivors recover and report the abuse. As one survivor states: “It was like a whole weight had been lifted off my shoulders.” Actress Minnie Driver shares reflections about her own experience with a near-death car accident trauma, and mentions EMDR therapy as something she’s tried in her efforts to heal in this Geo News article (opens in new tab) . Yahoo!Health mentions EMDR therapy as a therapy option for people struggling with postpartum depression (PPD) in “ 6 ways to get the most out of your treatment if you have postpartum depression. (opens in new tab) ” “ RELAX study evaluates EMDR for pain in children with sickle cell disease (opens in new tab) ” article in Bioengineer.org science news explores an emerging EMDR research protocol with the hopes of helping manage pain experiences in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease. The research study can be accessed in the EMDRIA library here (opens in new tab) . Back to Focal Point Blog Homepage (opens in new tab) Additional Resources If you are a therapist interested in the EMDR training: Learn more about EMDR therapy at the EMDRIA Library (opens in new tab) Learn more about EMDR Training (opens in new tab) Search for an EMDR Training Provider (opens in new tab) Check out our EMDR Training FAQ (opens in new tab) If you are EMDR trained: Check out the EMDRIA Focal Point Blog (opens in new tab) Learn more about EMDRIA membership (opens in new tab) Search for EMDR Continuing Education opportunities (opens in new tab) If you are an EMDRIA™ Member: Learn more about EMDR Consultation (opens in new tab) Find clinical practice articles in the EMDRIA Go With That Magazine® (opens in new tab) Search for articles in Journal of EMDR Practice and Research in the EMDRIA Library (opens in new tab)