What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone, but what is woven into the lives of others.

                                                                                        ~Pericles

There are no words to express our deep and heartfelt sorrow with the loss of Dr. Francine Shapiro, the originator and developer of EMDR therapy. The world has lost a distinguished and decorated scholar, a visionary, and healer who dedicated her life to the healing of suffering in the world. Dr. Shapiro has a lengthy and impressive academic record. That, coupled with the depth of her desire to address the trauma and suffering she saw in the world is often what inspired clinicians around the globe.

To the psychotherapy field, she was a keen observer and a brilliant clinician. She explored and researched those observations to develop an efficient, effective, and evidence-based therapy that has changed the lives of millions. For the clinicians, EMDR was a godsend. It helped to transform the lives of those seeking treatment, as well as the lives of the therapists. Clients have been able to resolve their traumatic and challenging histories and move forward to live healthy and productive lives. With EMDR therapy, clinicians have been given a powerful psychotherapy approach that enriches our work, our personal and professional lives, and our community. Dr. Shapiro has taught, brought together, inspired, encouraged, and motivated this community of healers with her passion, her dedication, and her clarity of vision. She taught us the joy of healing in our clinical work, and to “pay it forward” in the world.

It was her dedication to research that inspired and motivated us to form the EMDR Foundation. Her mantra was: “Research, Research, Research!” She would often say to clinicians making a verbal report of success, “Will you write that up? That needs to be published!” Whatever is claimed in your clinical practice, must be validated in research. We hope to be able to carry that legacy forward in our work together.

Dr. Francine Shapiro was our greatest supporter and our very good friend. We have deep gratitude for what she has given to each of us, and the many ways in which she has enriched our lives. We will miss her terribly. May she have peace in knowing that her work lives on through the lives of others.

EMDR Research Foundation Board of Directors

Dr. Shapiro’s Memorial Fund