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.

In this month’s podcast we cover a series of recent reports from the journal of EMDR Practice and Research including two papers on EMDR therapy in addressing criminal thinking in judicial settings. Then we feature an interview with Abhi Jha the founder of MeasureBasedCare.com, a platform for automating measurement-based care with web-based tools available to EMDR clinicians.

References forthis episode at:https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/index_files/EMDR_Research_News_October_2026.html

Discover MeasureBasedCare.com

Read the latestEMDR Research blog: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/⁠

Find our EMDRtherapy training programs: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/basic-emdr-training/⁠

Subscribe to mynewsletter: ⁠https://www.sonomapti.com/newsletter/⁠

Follow me onLinkedIn: ⁠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.

This episode examines the preliminary and promising evidence for using EMDR therapy to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Host Dr. Andrew Leeds considers current clinical problems: although exposure and response prevention (ERP) and SSRIs are established first-line treatments, many people have incomplete improvement, discontinue treatment, or remain highly symptomatic—particularly when trauma histories, shame, or poor insight complicate recovery.

The episode reviews case reports, case series, and controlled studies of standard and adapted EMDR approaches for OCD. Several small studies report meaningful reductions in OCD symptoms. One randomized feasibility trial found EMDR and ERP similarly tolerable, without establishing that EMDR is equivalent or superior.

Dr. Leeds interviews psychologist Gian-Paolo Mazzoni about integrating EMDR with CBT and ERP for treatment-resistant, trauma-exposed OCD. Later, he interviews Dr. Paula Krentzel and Jennifer Tattersall about the Distancing Approach, which combines EMDR-based procedures with adaptive coping statements that help clients recognize intrusive experiences as OCD symptoms rather than facts or intentions. The episode closes with emerging research directions and a call for larger, rigorous trials.

References for this episode at: https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/index_files/EMDR_Research_News_September_2026.html

C. Paula Krentzel and Jennifer Tattersall

OCD-Informed Therapist Competencies (FREE) and Training Information

https://www.krentzel-tattersall.com/

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/

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.

In this episode of “EMDR: The Science Behind the Therapy,” EMDR trainer and researcher Andrew M. Leeds, PhD, reviews cutting‑edge EMDR therapy research for trauma, PTSD, depression, and identity—from qualitative studies to major meta‑analyses of non‑pharmacological interventions. Clinicians will hear about EMDR with children and teens, disaster survivors, courtroom testimony, low‑resource settings, and a detailed critique of the 2025 APA Clinical Practice Guideline for PTSD.

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