In 1987 psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro made the chance observation that eye movements can reduce the intensity of disturbing thought under certain conditions. Dr. Shapiro studied this effect scientifically and, in 1989, she reported success in using EMDR to treat victims of trauma in the Journal of Traumatic Stress. Since then, EMDR has developed and evolved through the contributions of therapists and researchers all over the world. Today, EMDR is a set of protocols that incorporate elements from many different treatment approaches.