What do clients say about their experiences of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy? A systematic review of the literature

Shipley, Gemma; Wilde, Sarah; Hudson, Mark

doi:10.1016/j.ejtd.2021.100226

Cited by 4 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Simultaneously assessing the qualitative impact of EMDR on participants, alongside quantitative data collection, addressed the recommendation identified by Marich et al (2020), that qualitative assessments should not primarily follow or come after quantitative ones, as most existing ones had. In terms of clients' personal experiences of EMDR, qualitative findings of this study echo prior findings that EMDR treatment decreases vividness of traumatic memories (Cotter et al, 2017), increases insight about the past (Shipley et al, 2021), strengthens self-confidence (Cotter et al, 2017), increases positive emotions (Cotter et al, 2017), drives transformative change (Shipley et al, 2021), and improves cognitive functioning (Aranda et al, 2015;Camacho-Conde, 2020). Transformative change and improved cognitive functioning are expected changes related to the AIP model, which addresses treatment at the source of pathology, targeting insufficiently processed information from a disturbing event early in life (Shapiro, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

“…In a recent systemic review of 13 qualitative studies assessing participant experiences with EMDR, a number of identified themes addressed the intrapsychic experience of EMDR (Shipley et al, 2021). The results of the 13 studies showed the following results: six studies demonstrated participants' increased understanding of the origin of their trauma; eight studies showed added perspective in which participants had a new view of the past; four studies identified getting at the core of the trauma rather than simply touching upon symptoms; and four studies identified transformative improvements in participant mental health (Shipley et al, 2021). Edmond and Rubin (2004) similarly found EMDR healing at the core, providing stronger trauma resolution than routine therapy at 18 months posttreatment.…”

Section: Emdr As a Treatment Optionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many EMDR studies, which identified the setting of EMDR administration, were conducted in primary care (Marsden, 2016) or private practice outpatient settings (Naccarato, 2008;Wise & Marich, 2016). Of 13 qualitative studies of EMDR examined by Shipley et al (2021) in a systemic review, the only study conducted at a nonprofit counseling agency was a pilot study conducted by the lead author of this article, which centered on the use of EMDR in treating survivors of sexual and domestic violence (Schwarz et al, 2020). In the current study, we sought to explore the effectiveness of EMDR with survivors of sexual violence and IPV in a nonprofit community agency, as there is limited evidence for the most appropriate and cost-effective treatments for PTSD in nonprofit counseling settings, particularly in low-resourced communities.…”

Section: Emdr As a Treatment Optionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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EMDR for Survivors of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence at a Nonprofit Counseling Agency

Schwarz,

Baber,

Giantisco

et al. 2021

J EMDR Prac Res

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Trauma related to sexual violence and intimate partner violence (IPV) affects millions of women, resulting in detrimental impacts to economic, physical, and mental health. Survivors are often subjected to repeated acts of violence or abuse, compounding the trauma and its effects. Participants in this mixed-methods research study included 41 women who experienced trauma related to sexual violence or IPV and were seeking counseling services at a nonprofit community agency. Quantitative assessment of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through validated measures showed statistically significant improvement in all areas after eight sessions of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Qualitative analysis through semi-structured individual interviews revealed improvements in assertiveness, self-control, functionality, and self-acceptance. Increasing access to EMDR across underserved communities, which are disproportionately affected by trauma, is discussed.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 77%

Section: Emdr As a Treatment Optionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Emdr As a Treatment Optionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

EMDR for Survivors of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence at a Nonprofit Counseling Agency

Schwarz,

Baber,

Giantisco

et al. 2021

J EMDR Prac Res

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“…Given that treatment provided quick alleviation of symptoms, the study supports early intervention, yet further research is required to see if it prevents the later development of PTSD. This article responds to the previously highlighted limitation that adverse reactions to EMDR were underreported (Shipley et al, 2022), by ensuring these were measured if they occurred.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early intervention for residential out-of-home care staff using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

Morris¹,

Hatzikiriakidis²,

Dwyer³

et al. 2023

Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy

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Objective: Residential out-of-home care (OoHC) staff regularly experience workplace-related trauma. This may contribute to the future development of a trauma- or stressor-related disorder. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an effective treatment for stress disorders but is largely unstudied in OoHC staff. The objective of the current study was to determine if EMDR, provided early within 3 months of an incident, reduced trauma symptom severity in OoHC staff. Method: During a 3-year pilot study (2018–2020), a trained clinician delivered the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP) and Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) EMDR to OoHC staff from one community service organization in Victoria, Australia. Retrospective data from the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were deidentified and analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, individual EMDR (R-TEP) was provided via telehealth in 2020 in comparison with face-to-face sessions during 2018–2019. Results: Overall, a significant decrease in PCL-5 scores was seen from baseline to follow up, and staff who received R-TEP or G-TEP experienced reductions in symptoms. Both face-to-face and online modalities showed significant reductions in PCL-5 scores. No significant differences were found between the online or face-to-face modes of delivery, suggesting both options are effective. No adverse reactions were reported among the 144 staff who participated. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the efficacy of EMDR in reducing traumatic stress symptom severity for residential OoHC staff. A larger, prospective research study is needed.

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“…Whitehouse ( 2021 ) completed a systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative research about clients’ experiences of EMDR, identifying five eligible studies, in which all reports of therapy were positive (Whitehouse, 2021 ). Recently, Shipley extended this review to include data from unpublished studies, finding a total of 13 eligible studies within the published and grey literature (Shipley et al, 2022 ). EMDR was commonly seen as transformative, supporting the idea that most clients experienced positive changes after treatment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in prison and forensic services: a qualitative study of lived experience

Every-Palmer,

Ross,

Flewett

et al. 2023

European Journal of Psychotraumatology

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Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in people with serious mental illness who come into contact with the criminal justice system. Little evidence exists on EMDR treatment in forensic mental health, with no prior qualitative research exploring lived experience perspectives. Objective: This qualitative study recruited adult forensic mental health patients with PTSD and psychotic disorders, predominantly schizophrenia, who had received EMDR as part of a clinical trial, either in prison or in hospital. We sought to understand their experiences of EMDR therapy while receiving forensic care. Method: Ten in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews were undertaken and analysed using thematic analysis. We used an inductive, realist approach, reporting the experiences, meanings, and reality of the participants. Results: Five overarching themes were identified. First, severe trauma was ubiquitous and participants felt Seriously Messed Up by their traumatic experiences, with debilitating and enduring PTSD symptoms contributing to offending and psychosis (‘giving the voices something to feed on’). Second, EMDR was regarded with Early Scepticism . Third, the therapy itself was initially emotionally taxing and Not Easy but participants generally felt safe and persevered. Fourth, they were often surprised and delighted by results ( And it Worked! ), describing significant symptom reduction and personal transformation. Lastly, EMDR Fits the Forensic Setting, bringing empowerment in a place perceived as disempowering. People reported changes that increased their hope in a violence-free future. Conclusions: The limited research on EMDR in forensic mental health is unfortunate given how common PTSD is in mentally unwell offenders and its potential to impede recovery and contribute to further offending. This first qualitative study found participants experienced positive transformative change, extending beyond symptom reduction. Themes support previously published quantitative outcomes showing EMDR to be safe and effective in this cohort. EMDR was well suited to a forensic setting and was seen as an empowering therapy. Trial registration: Study registration: The study was registered on the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Network, registration number ACTRN12618000683235 (registered prospectively, 24 April 2018), https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id = 374682

show abstract

What do clients say about their experiences of eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy? A systematic review of the literature

Cited by 4 publications

References 51 publications

EMDR for Survivors of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence at a Nonprofit Counseling Agency

EMDR for Survivors of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence at a Nonprofit Counseling Agency

Early intervention for residential out-of-home care staff using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy in prison and forensic services: a qualitative study of lived experience

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