Evaluation of an EMDR Treatment Outcome Using the Rorschach, the TAT, and the IES-R

Abstract

In order to better understand treatment outcome through eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) trauma therapy, the author conducted comprehensive pre- and posttreatment assessments using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS), and the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) on a survivor of human-caused trauma. The results of the Rorschach CS and the TAT showed significant improvements in terms of interpersonal relationships after the treatment. On the other hand, the posttreatment Rorschach scores indicated that the EMDR therapy promoted self-insight in much the same way as a traditional uncovering therapy. In this case study, the findings gained through the two performance-based methods shed light on what a successful EMDR trauma therapy can yield aside from symptom reduction.