Personal experience of EMDR therapy in prison
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Making sense of individuals experience of EMDR therapy within a prison, using Thematic Analysis (TA).
IRAS ID
355958
Contact name
Sarah Bailey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS FT
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 3 days
Research summary
The proposed aim of this research is to examine the lived experience of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy of male and female service users within prison settings. The experience individuals have of this therapy will be explored using Thematic Analysis (TA). The clinical importance of gaining an insight into the 'lived experience' of EMDR therapy will provide rich data and may reveal key themes, which may be masked by using quantitative only methodologies, that define an individual’s experience of engaging with EMDR therapy. A precise and detailed description of the subjective nature of patients’ experience of this therapy within this context will assist in therapy planning and prioritising referrals. All patients who complete EMDR have completed pre and post treatment outcome measures, the Impact of Event Scale and Trauma Screening Questionnaire. This data will be accessed and statistically analysed.
The evolving literature field identifies a consensus affirming the efficacy and appropriateness of using EMDR in secure forensic settings (Every-Palmer et al., 2024). There is little known about individuals’ experience of how EMDR may be beneficial for them, with regards to risk reduction and/or recovery. Currently there is extremely limited knowledge around understanding whether any reductions in symptoms of PTSD are meaningfully retained, within custodial settings. The proposed aim of this research is to contribute to the existing body of literature concerning the use of EMDR within forensic settings, specifically shedding light on its application, effectiveness and to develop an understanding around individuals experience of how any reductions in their PTSD symptoms are meaningfully retained, over a sustained period.
Individuals who are currently residing in a prison and have completed EMDR therapy, within the last 3 years, will be invited to engage in an interview to discuss their experiences of this. Interviews will typically last around an hour.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/EE/0159
Date of REC Opinion
13 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion