• 175. Is EMDR a Revolutionary Psychotherapy or Pseudoscientific Sham?

  • Mar 6 2025
  • Length: 1 hr and 38 mins
  • Podcast

175. Is EMDR a Revolutionary Psychotherapy or Pseudoscientific Sham?

  • Summary

  • Is EMDR therapy legitimate science or pseudoscientific sham? In this provocative debate, Dr. Roger McFillin challenges Taraleigh Stemler, a certified EMDR practitioner and licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), on whether the popular trauma treatment's signature eye movements and bilateral stimulation offer any real benefit, or if exposure therapy—simply facing painful memories—is doing all the heavy lifting. As both clinicians clash over research validity, the "medicalization" of normal emotions, and whether we've created a therapy-dependent culture, this raw conversation exposes the tribal warfare happening within mental health treatment that directly impacts which therapies patients receive.

    Chapters

    00:00 The Wild West of Psychotherapy

    06:01 The EMDR Process Explained

    12:03 Challenging the Efficacy of EMDR

    18:10 Post-Traumatic Growth: A Different Perspective

    23:58 Critique of EMDR's Application

    30:01 Comparing EMDR to Other Treatments

    38:56 Therapeutic Approaches: EMDR vs. Traditional Methods

    46:58 Bilateral Stimulation: A Controversial Tool

    55:06 Client Experiences and Observations

    01:01:54 The Scope of EMDR: A One-Size-Fits-All Solution?

    01:07:04 The Need for Research and Evidence in Therapy

    01:15:21 Research and Effectiveness of EMDR

    01:23:03 The Importance of Therapeutic Relationships

    01:29:55 The Power of Courage in Therapy


    RADICALLY GENUINE PODCAST

    Dr. Roger McFillin / Radically Genuine Website

    YouTube @RadicallyGenuine

    Dr. Roger McFillin (@DrMcFillin) / X

    Substack | Radically Genuine | Dr. Roger McFillin

    Instagram @radicallygenuine


    Contact Radically Genuine


    Conscious Clinician Collective


    PLEASE SUPPORT OUR PARTNERS

    15% Off Pure Spectrum CBD (Code: RadicallyGenuine)
    10% off Lovetuner click here

    —-----------

    FREE DOWNLOAD! DISTRESS TOLERANCE SKILLS

    Show More Show Less

What listeners say about 175. Is EMDR a Revolutionary Psychotherapy or Pseudoscientific Sham?

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.