Narratives of developing a formulation within EMDR for psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Service user’s narratives of the development of collaborative formulations in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) for psychosis.
IRAS ID
338794
Contact name
Amelia A Attwood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 26 days
Research summary
This study will employ a qualitative design and narrative analysis to explore service user experiences of developing shared understandings regarding their voices, visions, and unusual or unshared thoughts or beliefs (i.e., psychotic experiences) in collaboration with their therapist within Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is a trauma focused therapy that has been found effective in resolving unprocessed trauma memories underlying psychotic experiences. Laugharne et al. (2012) highlighted that the imposition of understandings, rather than the collaborative development of them, exacerbates power imbalances between service users and their clinicians, potentially making service users feel unable to express their own understanding of their experiences. By examining the process of developing understandings within EMDR for psychosis, the study aims to contribute to best practice guidelines for fostering shared understandings of psychosis while minimizing the risk of imposing understandings.
Eligible participants for this study are individuals aged 18 or older who have previously or currently experienced voices, visions, or unusual/unshared thoughts or beliefs. They must have engaged in at least 3 sessions of EMDR for psychosis within the past 2 years.
Narrative Interviews of approximately one hour will be conducted with service users open to mental health teams within Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
The anticipated duration of the study is approximately 18 months. Each participant's involvement in the study will span approximately one month. Participants will be approached by their EMDR therapist or mental health professional regarding their interest in participating, and given an information sheet and consent form. Participants will be given the option to receive a copy of the results findings following publication.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0067
Date of REC Opinion
29 May 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion