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.