A grounded theory of attachment and EMDR for psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What are the processes in the interaction between attachment, EMDR for psychosis and recovery? A grounded theory
IRAS ID
321953
Contact name
Roberta Cramp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
EMDR, a therapy developed by Shapiro (1987), has been found an effective trauma therapy for those who have subsequently experienced psychosis. One pilot study found that psychotic experiences were significantly reduced by EMDR in all but five out of twenty-two participants (van den Burg & van der Gaag, 2012). EMDR has also been found to improve attachment status for adults and children (Wesselmann et al., 2012). EMDR therapy is being used in the NHS but to date, there are no studies exploring the attachment processes in this therapy that may promote healing from trauma and subsequent psychosis. This study aims to inductively explore these processes and generate a theoretical model using classic grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967). Understanding these processes is important as it will allow clinicians in the NHS to focus their EMDR practice to promote better outcomes and reflects the NHS’s commitment to quality of care. Using data from semi structured interviews with individuals who have had EMDR for psychosis, the study aims to answer the following questions:
How do participants define recovery from psychosis?
How do they describe their sense of security in relationships?
What is happening in their relationship security through the EMDR process?
If there are changes in their relationship security, how and why do participants think this happens?
If there are no changes in relationship security, what do participants think is happening in their relationships?
Do participants think EMDR contributed to recovery
What are the processes in the interaction between attachment, EMDR for psychosis and recovery?REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
23/WA/0068
Date of REC Opinion
23 May 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion