Some effects of EMDR treatment with previously abused child molesters: Theoretical reviews and preliminary findings

Study by Ronald J. Ricci, Cheryl A. Clayton, and Francine Shapiro, Ph.D. explores using EMDR therapy with ten child molesters with reported histories of childhood sexual abuse.

Article Abstract

“Ten child molesters with reported histories of childhood sexual abuse underwent eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) trauma treatment as an adjunct to standard cognitive-behavioural therapy-relapse prevention (CBT-RP) group treatment. Trauma resolution produced significant pre/post changes on all relevant subscales of the Sexual Offender Treatment Rating Scale (SOTRS). One unanticipated benefit was a consistent and sustained decline in deviant sexual arousal compared to the control condition. As measured by the SOTRS, decrease in arousal was also correlated with a decrease in sexual thoughts, increased motivation for treatment, and increased victim empathy. Deviant arousal is strongly associated with sexual recidivism. Clinical observations support the notion that those sexual offenders with histories of childhood sexual abuse may be left with aberrant sexual arousal, which is one pathway to sexual offending. The adaptive information processing model offers an explanation of the decreased and sustained deviant arousal observed in this study. This preliminary evidence supports a call for further research into this phenomenon.”

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Ricci, R. J., Clayton, C. A., & Shapiro, F. (2006). Some effects of EMDR treatment with previously abused child molesters: Theoretical reviews and preliminary findings. Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, 17(4), 538-562. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14789940601070431

About the Authors

“Ronald J. Ricci and Cheryl A. Clayton are state certified sex offender treatment providers at a private non-profit agency in the Eastern United States specializing in sex offender treatment. Ronald J. Ricci is an Assistant Professor at a state university. Cheryl Clayton is in private practice. Francine Shapiro is affiliated to the Mental Research Institute, Palo Alto, USA. Agency regulations regarding participants’ confidentiality prevent further specified identification of affiliation.”

—Description from publisher

About the Journal

“The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology is a multidisciplinary journal devoted to publishing papers relating to aspects of psychiatry and psychological knowledge (research, theory and practice) as applied to offenders and to legal issues arising within civil, criminal, correctional or legislative contexts.”

—Description from publisher