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

Butler, Sarah-Jane; Ramsey-Wade, Christine

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


Authors

Sarah-Jane Butler



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.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 24, 2024
Online Publication Date Nov 10, 2024
Publication Date Dec 31, 2024
Deposit Date Nov 11, 2024
Publicly Available Date Nov 12, 2024
Journal European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation
Print ISSN 2468-7499
Electronic ISSN 2468-7499
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 8
Issue 4
Article Number 100479
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2024.100479
Keywords EMDR, Intensive therapy, Trauma, PTSD, Phenomenology, Qualitative research, Client experience
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13416402
Additional Information This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: How do clients experience intensive EMDR for post-traumatic stress? An interpretative phenomenological analysis; Journal Title: European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2024.100479; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

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