Francine Shapiro

Francine Shapiro, PhD (1948–2019) was an American psychologist who developed EMDR therapy in 1987 and founded the EMDR Institute. Her discovery that bilateral eye movements reduced the intensity of disturbing thoughts led to a structured protocol that has been validated by 30+ randomized controlled trials and is now a first-line treatment for PTSD worldwide.

In depth

Francine Shapiro discovered EMDR while walking in a park in 1987. She noticed that her eyes were moving rapidly back and forth and that disturbing thoughts she was having became less intense. Intrigued, she experimented with the technique on herself and others, developing it into a structured therapeutic protocol. She published the first randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Traumatic Stress in 1989, showing significant PTSD symptom reduction. Despite initial skepticism from the psychological community, the evidence accumulated through dozens of controlled studies. Shapiro spent her career refining the protocol, training clinicians, and advocating for trauma survivors. She founded the EMDR Institute and the nonprofit EMDR-Humanitarian Assistance Programs, which provided free EMDR treatment after disasters worldwide.

Key facts

  • Lived from 1948 to 2019
  • Discovered EMDR serendipitously in 1987
  • Published first RCT in 1989
  • Founded the EMDR Institute
  • Founded EMDR-Humanitarian Assistance Programs
  • Authored "Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing: Basic Principles, Protocols, and Procedures"

Frequently asked questions

How did Francine Shapiro discover EMDR?
In 1987, while walking in a park, Shapiro noticed her eyes spontaneously moving rapidly and that disturbing thoughts she was having seemed to lose their charge. She systematically developed this observation into a therapeutic protocol and tested it scientifically.
What was the initial reaction to EMDR?
EMDR faced significant skepticism initially, with critics questioning how eye movements could affect psychological symptoms. However, as controlled research accumulated — now over 30 RCTs — the evidence became undeniable, leading to endorsements by WHO, APA, and VA/DoD.
Is Francine Shapiro still alive?
Francine Shapiro passed away in June 2019. Her legacy continues through the EMDR Institute, EMDRIA, and the thousands of clinicians she trained who now help trauma survivors worldwide.

Related terms: emdr · 8 phases of emdr · adaptive information processing · emdria

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