The Lived Experience of Adaptive Resolution in EMDR Therapy: A Phenomenological Study
Journal of EMDR Practice and Research January 1, 2026 Daniëlle Dekker
Adaptive resolution in EMDR therapy is experienced by clients as a change process of moving from constriction to expansion through descent and re-emergence. Analysis of interviews with 8 adults in U.S. outpatient mental health settings revealed essential constituents of this process, including transpersonal experiences that appeared to facilitate trauma resolution. Change extended beyond symptom reduction to include spiritual and transpersonal growth. The findings suggest adaptive resolution may be a multidimensional change process, and attending to clients' lived experience can inform research and clinical practice.