Podcast Summary: Change Your Brain Every Day

Episode: The Trauma Therapy No One Talks About: EMDR Therapy
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Amen & Tana Amen
Guest: Dr. Curtis Roundsen
Date: February 24, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode explores the lesser-known but powerful trauma therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Hosts Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by Dr. Curtis Roundsen, a psychologist and senior EMDR trainer, to discuss the science, process, and real-life impact of EMDR on trauma, anxiety, depression, and overall brain optimization. Geared toward both health professionals and anyone interested in healing from past trauma, the conversation is practical, hopeful, and deeply insightful.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Curtis Roundsen’s Introduction to EMDR

• Background: Dr. Roundsen shares his personal journey, explaining how existing therapeutic modalities only got clients to "functional" but not "thriving." EMDR changed that for his practice and himself after experiencing it firsthand in training.
  Notable Quote:
  "I had this profound physical change from something happened to me when I was in third grade... I realized that, my gosh, I can now move people from not just non-functional through functional to thriving."
  — Dr. Curtis Roundsen [02:00]

What is EMDR? (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

• Definition & Mechanism: An eight-phase therapeutic protocol that leverages the brain’s natural capacity to process and heal emotional wounds—similar to how the body heals physical injuries.
• Key Concept:
  “Trauma is never defined by how big the event is, but how it gets stored in the nervous system. ... If something happens at six years of age, a grown-up adult ... will have the coping ability of that six-year-old.”
  — Dr. Curtis Roundsen [05:06]

Why Conventional Talk Therapy Falls Short

• Traditional talk therapies may stir up trauma but don’t necessarily help clients process and move beyond it. EMDR, in contrast, directly targets and resolves the physiological and emotional impact of trauma.
  Dr. Amen: “With EMDR, you bring [the trauma] up and then it tends to dissipate and it gives you that emotional freedom.”
  [09:00]

The EMDR Process

• Phases: Includes history-taking, preparation, and the core “reprocessing” phase that uses bilateral stimulation (eye movement, tapping, or sounds).
• Effectiveness:
  • Single-incident traumas may resolve in 1–3 reprocessing sessions
  • Complex or chronic traumas may take longer, but benefits tend to generalize to related memories
    Dr. Roundsen:
    “If instead of one event, you had hundreds? Do the math... EMDR also helps the memory generalize ... so that other memories can be desensitized.”
    [08:20]

Trauma, Memory & Healing

• ACE Quiz: Dr. Amen explains how adverse childhood experiences (ACE) underlie many mental health symptoms and are epidemic. EMDR can help address these foundational traumas.
• Blocked Positive Memories: Resolving negative memories can allow access to positive memories previously suppressed.
  "Once you clear out the negative memories, then positive memories begin to emerge that were unable to arise."
  — Dr. Curtis Roundsen [12:20]

Finding a Certified EMDR Practitioner

• Look for therapists accredited by the EMDR International Association (emdria.org) to ensure proper training and standards.
  "One of the first things you need to ask ... is that training been approved by the EMDR International Association?"
  — Dr. Curtis Roundsen [10:05]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Power of EMDR:
  "I have actually never had more fun as a psychiatrist ... because I became a psychiatrist to help people. That is the biggest joy I have."
  — Dr. Daniel Amen [03:40]

• On Healing at the Developmental Level:
  "If something happens at six years of age, ... they're going to have the coping ability of that six-year-old. ... So many come in and say, 'Kurt, I know I shouldn't feel or think this way, but in my heart ... it feels like it's true.'"
  — Dr. Curtis Roundsen [05:49]

• On Self-EMDR:
  "Absolutely no ... Doing it on your own could actually bring up negative things that can get out of control. So you want to work with a professional."
  — Dr. Curtis Roundsen [15:36]

Listener Q&A Highlights

• Can EMDR Help if You Can’t Recall the Trauma?
  — Yes, because the brain holds trauma in emotional and physical sensations, not just images or words. EMDR can address these memory networks, even if explicit memories aren’t accessible.
  [11:12]
• Can EMDR Bring Up Good Memories?
  — Yes. Desensitizing negative memories can unblock positive ones that were repressed.
  [12:14]
• Can You Do EMDR On Yourself?
  — Generally, no—especially not for trauma. Self-administered EMDR is reserved for peak performance and only after working through trauma with a professional.
  [15:36]

Impact Story: Early EMDR Case Study

John, the Agoraphobic Client:
Dr. Roundsen recounts his first, imperfect EMDR case: a man with agoraphobia previously unable to drive on highways. After one EMDR session, John was later amazed to discover he drove extensive distances for a family vacation without anxiety.
"He was oblivious to the fact ... now he was engaged in normal behaviors that he never engaged in before."
— Dr. Curtis Roundsen [13:50]

Resources & Next Steps

• For Professionals:
  • EMDR Professional Training: emdrprofessionaltraining.com
• For Clients Seeking Therapy:
  • EMDR International Association: emdria.org (find credentialed therapists worldwide)
• For Therapists in Under-served Areas:
  • “Send [your therapist] this link and encourage them to get trained.” — Dr. Daniel Amen [16:38]

Conclusion

This episode demystifies EMDR, offering hope and practical resources for those struggling with untreated trauma or wanting to help others. Both the science and real-life testimonies point to EMDR as a powerful tool for healing and thriving beyond trauma.

Timeline of Key Segments

• [01:23] — Dr. Roundsen’s first exposure to EMDR and personal impact
• [04:28] — Biological healing & how EMDR works
• [06:43] — The ACE quiz and the roots of trauma
• [07:53] — Typical course of EMDR sessions
• [09:56] — How to find a competent EMDR therapist
• [11:12] — EMDR for trauma without explicit memories
• [12:14] — Positive memories surfacing after EMDR
• [13:15] — Case study: ‘John’ and driving anxiety
• [15:36] — Dangers and limits of self-administered EMDR
• [17:36] — How to connect with Dr. Roundsen

For more info:

• emdrprofessionaltraining.com (for professionals and clients)
• emdria.org (global therapist locator)

“Who doesn’t want to be free of their past and get that anxiety out of their nervous system so that you can have the happiest life that you can?”
— Dr. Daniel Amen [16:49]