Courage, hope, and transformation: Patient experiences of web-based therapist delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for suicidal ideation
This study explored the lived experiences of adult mental health outpatients who received web-based, therapist-delivered EMDR targeting experiences related to their suicidal ideation (SI).
Article Abstract
“Suicide is a significant global public health issue. Existing evidence-based interventions for suicidal ideation (SI), while helpful, have limitations including suboptimal efficacy, and high resource intensiveness and attrition. As SI is often related to stressful events, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy, an evidence-based treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), has been utilized as a novel approach for addressing SI. This study explored the lived experiences of adult mental health outpatients who received web-based, therapist-delivered EMDR targeting experiences related to their SI. This qualitative study, which is part of a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating web-based EMDR for adults with SI, recruited participants from among those who received EMDR treatment. Researchers collected data using semi-structured interviews over Zoom and conducted initial thematic descriptive analysis and coding guided by Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework. Fourteen EMDR treatment group participants agreed to be interviewed. Five main themes were identified: (1) systemic obstacles to recovery, (2) relational attunement creating safety, (3) moving past the stuckness of suicidal states, (4) posttraumatic growth and resilience, and (5) unique needs and preferences. Most study participants reported that web-based EMDR therapy for SI was an overall beneficial experience, noting that a strong therapeutic relationship and ability to personalize treatment were key for treatment success. The encouraging and predominantly positive insights from participants in this pioneering work established a foundation for future research and clinical practice regarding the application of EMDR for SI.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Yap, S., Bal, M., Youakim, M., Aborawi, A., Di Pinto, G., Samways, K., Beck, A., Bright, K. S., Brémault-Phillips, S., Greenshaw, A. J., Winkler, O., & Burback, L. (2025). Courage, hope, and transformation: Patient experiences of web-based therapist delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for suicidal ideation. PLOS Mental Health 2(8): e0000373. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000373
Date
August 7, 2025
Creator(s)
Sidney Yap, Manroop Bal, Mina Youakim
Contributor(s)
Ashraf Aborawi, Genna Di Pinto, Krystle Samways, Amy Beck, Katherine S. Bright, Suzette Brémault-Phillips, Andrew J. Greenshaw, Olga Winkler, Lisa Burback
Topics
Self-Harm/Suicidality
Practice & Methods
Telehealth
Extent
16 pages
Publisher
PLOS
Rights
© 2025 Yap et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
APA Citation
Yap, S., Bal, M., Youakim, M., Aborawi, A., Di Pinto, G., Samways, K., Beck, A., Bright, K. S., Brémault-Phillips, S., Greenshaw, A. J., Winkler, O., & Burback, L. (2025). Courage, hope, and transformation: Patient experiences of web-based therapist delivered eye movement desensitization and reprocessing for suicidal ideation. PLOS Mental Health 2(8): e0000373. Open access: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmen.0000373
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access