The Integration of Culture, Identity, and Belongingness in EMDR Therapy: Practitioners’ Perspectives

Abstract

This dissertation examines how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) practitioners approach power dynamics, identity, and belongingness in therapy from a multicultural and social justice perspective. Using a qualitative narrative research design guided by intersectional feminist epistemology, the study investigates how privilege, positionality, and belongingness influence clinicians’ approaches to EMDR therapy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine EMDR-trained practitioners from diverse sociocultural backgrounds to explore how relational, systemic, and contextual factors influence their clinical work. Thematic analysis was used to illuminate how EMDR practitioners navigate complex power dynamics both within the therapeutic alliance and in broader sociocultural contexts. Participants emphasized the importance of integrating clients’ lived experiences, cultural identities, a sense of belongingness, and systemic dynamics into all phases of EMDR treatment. Findings highlight a need for EMDR training programs that prioritize accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and equity-centered frameworks. This study contributes to the evolving discourse on EMDR therapy by offering practical recommendations for more inclusive, relationally attuned EMDR practices. It argues that ongoing self-reflection, cultural humility, and a commitment to social justice are key factors in further aligning EMDR therapy with clinical best practices. Ultimately, the research underscores that healing is not only an individual process but also one deeply embedded in collective, relational, and sociopolitical contexts. In doing so, it moves the field toward a more just, responsive, and inclusive view of the practice of EMDR therapy