How do clients experience intensive EMDR for PTSD? A phenomenological analysis

Butler, Sarah-Jane

Abstract

There is a dearth of qualitative research exploring the benefits and challenges of intensive Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) from the clients’ perspective. Currently, research into intensive EMDR, which involves multiple therapy sessions over consecutive days, is dominated by quantitative research seeking to explore its efficacy among different population. However, these studies indicate that intensive treatment for PTSD may offer an improved clients’ experience, faster reduction in symptoms, greater symptom reduction, and reduced dropout rates (Najavits, 2015). The aim of this study is to understand what might be lost and gained from intensive delivery of EMDR from the participants’ perspective, and to explore participants’ experiences whilst considering contextual factors such as culture, society, and environment. The study also aims to understand the impact of intensive EMDR on the participants’ sense of self. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyse data generated from 10 individual interviews with participants who had experienced intensive EMDR treatment for PTSD. The participants were selected through purposeful sampling and data gathered from interviews conducted via video conferencing software. Two Personal Experiential Themes (PETs) were identified: (1) ‘The importance of psychological safety’ and (2) ‘The changing self’. The PET of the importance of psychological safety generated two emergent themes of ‘A protected space’ defined as a protected bubble segregated from participants’ usual lives, and ‘The importance of a continued connection’, a connection with a part of the process which felt safe and reassuring. The PET of ‘the changing self’ generated two emergent themes of a ‘Wow! moment’, a sudden and visceral moment of insight which was pleasing, and ‘Living the way I always wanted’ a sense of feeling and behaving in a way which is closer to the authentic self. Intensive EMDR can be experienced as safe, facilitating agency and engagement, and affecting a meaningful change, which was valued by participants. These findings concur with Shapiro's (2001) assertion that EMDR is a humanistic and integrative psychotherapy, and correspond with established humanistic theories such as Maslow's (1954) hierarchy of needs. Implications for practice are that intensive EMDR may offer a safe, efficient, and cost-effective approach to the treatment of PTSD.

Citation

Butler, S. How do clients experience intensive EMDR for PTSD? A phenomenological analysis. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9911124

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 30, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 6, 2023
• Keywords: EMDR, intensive, PTSD, phenomenology
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/9911124
• Award Date: Jun 6, 2023