EMDR Treatment of Childhood Sexual Abuse for a Child Molester: Self-Reported Changes in Sexual Arousal

Changes reported after EMDR therapy to the memories of childhood sexual abuse in adult male who sexually offended prepubescent children.

Article Abstract

“Expanding on previous findings that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy may alter deviant sexual arousal in adult child molesters with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), this article describes the changes reported following the application of EMDR therapy to the memories of CSA in an adult male who had sexually offended against prepubescent children. The client had previously completed a cognitive behavioral intervention to address his offending behavior. EMDR therapy took place over 11 months and consisted of 32 sessions, including preparation and review phases. The aim of the therapy was to alleviate current reported distress and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to his memories of CSA. The client reported positive changes in emotional, cognitive, and physiological functioning, consistent with reductions on a range of subscales of the Trauma Symptom Inventory 2 and the Inventory of Altered Self-Capacities. However, on completion of therapy, he also reported a reduction in the frequency and strength of sexual arousal to children, which was maintained at a 3-year follow-up, although this was not a target for treatment. The experiences described during the EMDR process by this client are discussed and related to the adaptive information processing (AIP) model and previous findings on reported changes in sexual arousal in this client group.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Wright, L. C., & Warner, A. (2020). EMDR Treatment of Childhood Sexual Abuse for a Child Molester: Self-Reported Changes in Sexual Arousal. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 14(2), 90–103. https://doi.org/10.1891/EMDR-D-19-00060

About the Journal

The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research is a peer-reviewed publication devoted to integrative, state-of-the-art papers about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a broadly conceived interdisciplinary journal that stimulates and communicates research and theory about EMDR, and their application to clinical practice. The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research is the Official Publication of the EMDR International Association.