Page 115 - Post-traumatic stress disorder in adults with mild intellectual disability: Screening, assessment, and brief intensive EMDR therapy

Experiences with intensive EMDR and rotating therapists
Participant two appears appeared to have experienced a learning effect.
As he became more familiar with the therapeutic approach, he found it
easier to follow instructions, which may have improved the effectiveness
of the therapy. During the Intensive EMDR therapy sessions, participant two
took notes on his phone about his progress. This seemed to have helped
him gain more control and provide a better overview. The learning effect
and support he gained from his notes appear to have contributed to the
success of the therapy.
Participant two (after therapy): “[Therapy helped] yes... Still,
because you never know if it [traumatic symptoms] will come
back.”
Professional caregiver two (after therapy): “He will be returning
to work soon, or at least to the farm two or three days a week...
I also think he is a little more open, including towards new
caregivers.”
Two weeks after EMDR therapy, participant two indicated that the therapy
had helped him. However, he was not yet convinced that the improvements
would be permanent and wanted to wait and see before he could be
definitively positive about the effect of therapy. His professional caregiver
noted that he was becoming more open, including new caregivers, and
slowly resumed his daily activities. For example, one week after the
interview, he would start working part-time on a farm. She considered this
a positive development, as he had no structured daily routines.
Participant three
Participant three (before therapy): “I don’t really know what to
expect from EMDR itself... That I have to follow a light with my
eyes, which moves very quickly. That I have to do it and that at
the same time I have to feel that I actually have to respond to it.
I suspect that’s how it will work.”
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