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

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.