Cultural and Methodological Adaptations in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy Across Diverse Cultural Contexts: A Narrative Review

ABSTRACT Background and Aim Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is an established intervention for trauma and stress‐related disorders. As its use expands across diverse sociocultural contexts, questions arise regarding how its structured protocol can be adapted without compromising therapeutic integrity. This narrative review synthesizes published evidence on cultural and methodological adaptations of EMDR therapy across Western and non‐Western settings to inform the development of a systematic framework for cultural and methodological adaptation of EMDR therapy. Methods Using narrative review methodology, relevant studies were searched in selected online databases. Reported adaptations were analysed and synthesized thematically into two clusters: cultural modifications (e.g., language translation, integration of spiritual or communal meanings, adaptation of therapeutic setting and social roles) and methodological adjustments (e.g., phase restructuring, modified distress scaling and alternative forms of bilateral stimulation). Results The findings indicate that adaptations frequently extend beyond surface‐level translation and reflect deeper shifts in explanatory models of trauma, communication norms and relational structures of care. However, reporting remains fragmented, theoretical grounding is inconsistently articulated, and consensus is lacking regarding which procedural elements may be modified while preserving core EMDR processes. In response, a structured three‐stage framework is proposed to guide culturally and methodologically informed adaptation while maintaining functional fidelity. Ongoing challenges include limited longitudinal outcome data and the need for systematic fidelity monitoring and culturally informed training models. Conclusion EMDR therapy can be effectively adapted across diverse sociocultural contexts. The proposed framework of this review supports cultural and methodological adaptations while preserving core principles of EMDR. Further research is needed to validate adaptations and establish implementation consensus.