From Clinical Practice to Scientific Growth: The Development of EMDR Research in Türkiye

The Development of EMDR Research in Türkiye

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63175/tjts.45

Keywords:

EMDR, trauma, Türkiye, bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Background: This study provides the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) research conducted in Türkiye, offering a panoramic view of the field’s academic evolution from 2004 to 2025.

Method: Drawing data from the Web of Science Core Collection, a total of 79 EMDR-related publications were analyzed using R (Biblioshiny) and VOSviewer to identify trends in productivity, collaboration, citation impact, and thematic development.

Results: Results indicate a steady growth in Turkish EMDR scholarship, with an annual publication increase of 7.97% and expanding institutional contributions from both metropolitan and regional universities. The most frequent research themes include trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety, while emerging topics such as digital EMDR, artificial intelligence, and supervision point toward the field’s methodological and technological diversification.

Conclusion: These findings reflect the unique sociocultural and humanitarian context of Türkiye, where repeated exposure to natural disasters and collective trauma has catalyzed the integration of EMDR into public mental health practices. The study highlights the need for greater international collaboration, longitudinal and experimental research designs, and systematic development of EMDR supervision and training models. Overall, Türkiye’s EMDR research landscape demonstrates a transition from clinical dissemination to scientific consolidation, contributing to the broader advancement of trauma-focused psychotherapy within a cross-cultural framework.

References

1. Shapiro F. Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization procedure in the treatment of traumatic memories. J Trauma Stress. 1989;2(2):199-223. doi:10.1007/BF00974159

2. Shapiro F. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures. 3rd ed. Guilford Press; 2018.

3. Cuijpers P, Karyotaki E, Weitz E, Andersson G, Hollon SD, van Straten A, Thew GR. The effects of psychotherapies for major depression in adults on remission, recovery and improvement: a meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2014;159:118-126. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.02.026

4. Sepehry AA, Lam K, Sheppard M, Guirguis-Younger M, Maglio AS. EMDR for depression: a meta-analysis and systematic review. J EMDR Pract Res. 2021;15(1):2-17. doi:10.1891/EMDR-D-20-00038

5. Wilson DL, Becker LA, Tinker RH. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) treatment for psychologically traumatized individuals. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1995;63(6):928-937. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.63.6.928

6. Hase M, Balmaceda UM, Hase A, Lehnung M, Tumani V, Huchzermeier C, Hofmann A. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy in the treatment of depression: a matched pairs study in an inpatient setting. Brain Behav. 2015;5(6):e00342. doi:10.1002/brb3.342

7. Konuk E, Knipe J, Eke I, Yüksek H, Yurtsever A, Ostep S. The effects of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy on posttraumatic stress disorder in survivors of the 1999 Marmara earthquake. Int J Stress Manag. 2006;13(3):291-308. doi:10.1037/1072-5245.13.3.291

8. Yurtsever A, Konuk E, Akyüz T, et al. An eye movement desensitization and reprocessing group intervention for Syrian refugees with post-traumatic stress symptoms: results of a randomized controlled trial. Front Psychol. 2018;9:493. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00493

9. EMDR Türkiye Derneği. EMDR Türkiye Derneği Faaliyet Raporu 2023. Published 2023. Accessed January 2026. https://www.emdr-tr.org/

10. EMDR Türkiye Derneği. EMDR’ın Türkiye’deki Tarihçesi. Published 2024. Accessed January 2026. https://www.emdr-tr.org/turkiyedeki-emdrin-tarihcesi/

11. İnci İzmir SB, Çitil Akyol C. EMDR flash technique in adolescents with depression: a twelve-week follow-up study. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2024;29(3). doi:10.1177/13591045241247701

12. Gündoğmuş İ, Aydın M, Sarı D, Yaşar A. Rapid effect of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in treatment of psychogenic vomiting: a case report. Klin Psikiyatr Derg. 2020;23(1). doi:10.5505/kpd.2020.00821

13. Kınık Ç, Tütünen C, Erdin B. A single-session Flash Technique group intervention to reduce secondary traumatic stress among mental health workers in earthquake-affected areas. Turk J Trauma Stress. 2025;1(2):89-97. doi:10.63175/tjts.17

14. Yaşar AB, Konuk E, Kavakçı Ö, et al. A randomized-controlled trial of EMDR flash technique on traumatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of life after traffic accidents. Front Psychol. 2022;13:845481. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.845481

15. Yaşar AB, Gündoğmuş İ, Kavakçı Ö, Uygun E. Impact of group Flash Technique on reducing exam anxiety in students. Turk J Trauma Stress. 2025;1(1):29-36. doi:10.63175/tjts.12

16. Zat Çiftçi Z, Delibaş DH, Kaya T, et al. A randomized controlled trial of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Front Psychiatry. 2024;15:1286118. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1286118

17. Osmanağaoğlu N, Zeytünlü Ö, Soba EE, et al. Göz Hareketleriyle Duyarsızlaştırma ve Yeniden İşleme üzerine Türkiye’de yapılan lisansüstü tezlerin analizi: sistematik inceleme ve meta-analiz. Klin Ruh Sag Psik Danis Derg. 2025;5(1):21-41.

18. Ellegaard O, Wallin JA. The bibliometric analysis of scholarly production: how great is the impact? Scientometrics. 2015;105(3):1809-1831. doi:10.1007/s11192-015-1645-z

19. Donthu N, Kumar S, Mukherjee D, Pandey N, Lim WM. How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: an overview and guidelines. J Bus Res. 2021;133:285-296. doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070

20. Martín-Martín A, Orduna-Malea E, Thelwall M, Delgado López-Cózar E. Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Scopus: a systematic comparison of citations. J Informetr. 2018;12(4):1160-1177. doi:10.1016/j.joi.2018.09.002

21. Aria M, Cuccurullo C. bibliometrix: an R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. J Informetr. 2017;11(4):959-975. doi:10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007

22. van Eck NJ, Waltman L. Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics. 2010;84(2):523-538. doi:10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3

23. Moral-Muñoz JA, Herrera-Viedma E, Santisteban-Espejo A, Cobo MJ. Software tools for conducting bibliometric analysis in science: an up-to-date review. Prof Inf. 2020;29(1). doi:10.3145/epi.2020.ene.03

24. Cobo MJ, López-Herrera AG, Herrera-Viedma E, Herrera F. An approach for detecting, quantifying, and visualizing the evolution of a research field. J Informetr. 2011;5(1):146-166. doi:10.1016/j.joi.2010.10.002

25. Valiente-Gómez A, Moreno-Alcázar A, Treen D, et al. EMDR beyond PTSD: a systematic literature review. Front Psychol. 2017.

26. Landin-Romero R, Moreno-Alcázar A, Pagani M, Amann BL. How does EMDR therapy work? A systematic review on suggested mechanisms of action. Front Psychol. 2018;9:1395. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01395

27. Pagani M, et al. Neurobiological response to EMDR therapy in clients with different psychological traumas. Front Psychol. 2015;6:1614. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01614

28. Farrell D, Fadeeva A, Zat Z, et al. EMDR therapy as videoconference psychotherapy during COVID-19: a pilot cohort study. Front Psychol. 2022;13:901855. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.901855

29. Pagani M, et al. Neurobiological correlates of EMDR monitoring: an EEG study. PLoS One. 2012;7(4):e45753. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0045753

30. Grifoni J, Pagani M, Persichilli G, et al. Auditory personalization of EMDR treatment (EMDR+): a feasibility study. Brain Sci. 2023;13(7):1050. doi:10.3390/brainsci13071050

31. Grant M, Lau RCK, Dinardo J. Feasibility and potential efficacy of a mobile app series based on EMDR: a pilot randomized controlled trial. J EMDR Pract Res. 2025;19. doi:10.34133/jemdr.0003

32. Theunissen TPM. Digital EMDR: Technological Innovations to Activate, Assess, and Degrade Traumatic Memories. Doctoral thesis. Maastricht University; 2025. doi:10.26481/dis.20250603tt

33. Rodriguez de Behrends M. Treating cognitive symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder using EMDR therapy with bilateral tactile stimulation. J EMDR Pract Res. 2021;15(1):44-59. doi:10.1891/EMDR-D-20-00026

34. Hase M. The structure of EMDR therapy: a guide for the therapist. Front Psychol. 2021;12:660753. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.660753

35. Logie R. EMDR Supervision: A Handbook. Routledge; 2024.

Downloads

Published

31.01.2026

How to Cite

Çitil Akyol, C. (2026). From Clinical Practice to Scientific Growth: The Development of EMDR Research in Türkiye: The Development of EMDR Research in Türkiye. Turkish Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.63175/tjts.45