EMDR therapy with people who have intellectual disabilities: Process, adaptations and outcomes
Abstract
Purpose Emerging evidence indicates that adapted eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) can be useful for people with intellectual disabilities in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the required adaptations are not described in enough detail across the literature, making it difficult for therapists to easily adapt EMDR for people with intellectual disabilities. This paper aims to address this by describing 14 clinical cases, along with outcome data for six people, and the views of five people with intellectual disabilities about EMDR. Design/methodology/approach A total of 14 people with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities and varied experiences of trauma were offered EMDR by one clinical psychologist in a UK NHS setting; nine people completed EMDR therapy, six people provided outcome data with pre-post measures and five people were asked two questions about EMDR therapy. Findings Adaptations are described. The outcome data indicate reductions in symptoms of PTSD following EMDR intervention. EMDR was liked and perceived as useful. Originality/value This paper provides details about adaptations that can be made to the standard EMDR protocol, reports the views of service users about EMDR and adds evidence that EMDR reduces symptoms of PTSD in people who have intellectual disabilities.
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EMDR therapy is effective in mitigating PTSD symptoms among individuals with intellectual disabilities, possibly surpassing verbal interventions.
“Furthermore, the efficacy of EMDR therapy in mitigating symptoms of PTSD among individuals with intellectual disabilities has been emphasized, implying that it might surpass the effectiveness of verbal interventions tailored to this population [77,78].”
From Clinical Efficacy of Psychotherapeutic Interventions for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Analysis. (2024) · cites this paper as [78]
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“Furthermore, the efficacy of EMDR therapy in mitigating symptoms of PTSD among individuals with intellectual disabilities has been emphasized, implying that it might surpass the effectiveness of verbal interventions tailored to this population [77,78].”
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Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) with Children and Adolescents
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The Impact and Adaptation of EMDR Therapy on the Taiwanese Deaf University Students
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- Authors
- Porter, J. L. B.
- Corresponding author
- Porter, Joanne L.B.
- Venue
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities
- Publisher
- Emerald
- Published
- 2022-01-05
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 32-43
- ISSN
- 2044-1282 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4206749776
- Cited by
- 7
- References
- 27
- Citations by year
- 2024: 4 · 2023: 3
- FWCI
- 1.60
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
- Keywords
- EMDR, intellectual disability, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma, treatment adaptation, treatment outcomes, service user perspectives, mild and moderate intellectual disability
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