How do clients experience intensive EMDR for post-traumatic stress? An interpretive phenomenological analysis (European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation)

How do clients experience intensive EMDR for post-traumatic stress? An interpretive phenomenological analysis

This qualitative study explores the experiences of patients who undertook intensive EMDR for post-traumatic stress.

Article Abstract

“Background: Several studies of the intensive delivery of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have indicated it to be an effective treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), providing improved client experience, faster reduction in symptoms, greater symptom reduction, and reduced dropout rates as compared to non-intensive EMDR. However, there is a dearth of studies that describe this non-traditional approach to the delivery of EMDR psychotherapy from the patients’ perspective.

Procedure: This qualitative study explores the experiences of patients who undertook intensive EMDR for post-traumatic stress. Interviews were conducted with 10 participants and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Main findings: The data revealed two Personal Experiential Themes (PET) and four experiential statements. ‘The importance of psychological safety’ generated sub-themes of ‘A protected space’ and ‘The importance of a continued connection’. ‘The changing self’ generated two sub-themes of a ‘Wow! moment’, and ‘Living the way I always wanted’.

Conclusion: Results show that intensive EMDR can be experienced as safe, facilitating agency and engagement while affecting meaningful change.”

—Description from publisher

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Butler, S-J., & Ramsey-Wade, C. (2024). How do clients experience intensive EMDR for post-traumatic stress? An interpretive phenomenological analysis. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 100479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2024.100479

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How do clients experience intensive EMDR for post-traumatic stress? An interpretive phenomenological analysis (European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation)