Patrick Clancy has expressed that a therapy he underwent to deal with the grief of losing his children felt nothing short of miraculous.
In a recent appearance on “60 Minutes,” the 36-year-old revealed that he utilized EMDR, a specific type of trauma-focused therapy, which allowed him to confront his feelings directly.
“It’s not easy, but it trains you to cope with it,” Clancy remarked. “Eventually, you become more adept at processing those emotions… After all the sessions, the nights of waking in terror and the terrible dreams largely ceased. Honestly, it was almost miraculous.”
Clancy’s comments come in the wake of his ex-wife, Lindsay Clancy, facing trial for the deaths of their three young children—Cora, 5; Dawson, 3; and Callan, just 8 months old—at their home in Duxbury, Massachusetts, back on January 24, 2023.
He described the overwhelming nature of the traumatic memories he faces. “What helped me the most was definitely EMDR,” he explained to CBS correspondent Ross Douthat. “It’s a bit out there. They essentially put you right back in those circumstances you’ve tried to dodge for years, and you confront it head-on.”
What is EMDR therapy?
EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. It’s a psychotherapy approach that employs bilateral stimulation—usually through eye movements—to assist individuals in recovering from psychological trauma.
The EMDR Institute notes that successful therapy can lead to a transformation of distressing events on an emotional level. For example, a victim of assault may go from feeling deep horror and shame to adopting a perspective of resilience: “I survived this, and I am strong.”
What happens in EMDR therapy sessions?
Typically, EMDR follows an eight-phase procedure, which includes:
- Choosing a memory to work on
- Understanding how EMDR functions while developing coping mechanisms
- Identifying related images, beliefs, emotions, and sensations
- Reducing discomfort by pursuing the therapist’s fingers or sounds
- Changing a negative belief associated with the memory to a positive one
- Ensuring there’s no remaining physical tension tied to the memory
- Closing the session to help the patient regain a stable state
- Reviewing progress and making adjustments if necessary
How does EMDR therapy work?
During EMDR sessions, patients concentrate on a distressing memory while simultaneously engaging in bilateral stimulation, which can involve moving their eyes to follow finger movements or, in virtual sessions, watching a graphic move side to side. It can also include auditory elements, like alternating sounds in each ear.
This dual focus may reduce the emotional pain associated with those memories. While the specific mechanisms remain a bit unclear, some researchers believe these movements allow individuals to engage with distressing memories without becoming overwhelmed, effectively altering how those memories are stored in the brain.
Another theory posits that this stimulation influences working memory, resulting in the trauma being less vivid or impactful.
Who is EMDR for?
EMDR is primarily utilized to treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Additionally, therapists may use it for other issues such as anxiety, depression, panic disorders, and addictions.
How long does EMDR take to work?
The time frame for EMDR therapy can vary greatly. Some individuals notice improvements in just a few sessions, while others might need months or even years.
Is EMDR therapy considered valid?
Numerous credible organizations, like the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense, the American Psychological Association, and the World Health Organization endorse EMDR. Furthermore, research supports its efficacy. A systematic review in 2025, which analyzed 17 studies, found that EMDR can effectively alleviate PTSD symptoms.
What celebrities have used EMDR?
Notable figures such as Prince Harry have shared their experiences with EMDR, showcasing its impact in the Apple TV+ series “The Me You Can’t See.” Valerie Bertinelli mentioned in 2025 how it assisted her in dealing with her trauma, emphasizing the positive changes she’s experienced.
Miley Cyrus described EMDR as “incredibly helpful,” explaining it allows individuals to, in a sense, erase the physical sensations linked to painful memories. Other celebrities, like Sandra Bullock, Jameela Jamil, Evan Rachel Wood, Whitney Cummings, and Paris Jackson, have also publicly acknowledged its benefits.
