Incorporating EMDR Therapy Into Couples Work

EMDRIA member Monique Thompson discusses ways to understand and incorporate EMDR therapy into couples therapy.

“The Most Loving Decision a Mother Can Make”: Using EMDR to reduce internalized abortion stigma within TFMR parents (Studies in Clinical Social Work: Transforming Practice, Education and Research)

This case study demonstrates how phase five of EMDR therapy can be utilized to restructure a TFMR parent’s negative self-beliefs rooted in internalized abortion stigma, to decrease shame.

Treatment of attachment trauma: Effects of an online EMDR couple protocol on trauma symptoms, conflict resolution, and forgiveness (Counselling & Psychotherapy Research)

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an online EMDR couple protocol in reducing trauma-related symptoms, improving conflict resolution strategies, and increasing willingness to forgive among couples with a history of attachment trauma.

Applying eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in counseling with survivors of intimate partner violence (Journal of Mental Health Counseling)

The article aims to articulate how EMDR can be effective for intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors, providing a synthesis of the literature and a case study with a female in an outpatient setting.

Evaluating the effectiveness of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing anxiety, marital burnout, and self-disgust among women who have suffered domestic violence (International Journal of Behavioral Sciences)

This study explored effectiveness of EMDR therapy in reducing anxiety, marital burnout, and feelings of self-disgust among women in Iran who have experienced domestic violence.

EMDR and sexual disorders: A practitioner’s guide to treating sexual trauma and dysfunction (Routledge, 2025)

Provides guidelines for the treatment of sexual dysfunctions with EMDR therapy within the framework of attachment theory.

EMDR Therapy for Couples GWT Magazine® Issue

We invited several authors to write about “EMDR Therapy for Couples” in the Fall 2024 Go With That Magazine® issue.

EMDR Therapy for Couples (Go With That Magazine® Issue)

In this issue, we explore EMDR therapy in couples therapy: helping partners navigate past wounds, improve communication, and rebuild trust.

Community Voices: EMDR and Couples

EMDR therapists respond to how aspects of a client’s culture/race are meaningful as a resource/challenge in using EMDR with couples.

Integrating EMDR and Couples Therapy

Integrating EMDR therapy into couples therapy is a promising new trend in psychotherapy, though it presents challenges.

Integrating EMDR in Emotionally-Focused Couple Therapy

This article explores how individual EMDR therapy could be modified for couples to possibly expand its potential for healing.

EMDR with Couples: A Somatic and Attachment Lens

EMDR with couples is a natural fit. EMDR clinicians can quickly observe how couples are triggering each other’s past, unresolved memories.