Utilising EMDR to address trauma with an autistic person with a history of sexual offending

This case study explores the formulation and treatment of an adult male with a sexual offending history in a secure setting in England. He was detained under the Mental Health Act (MHA) and was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with a comorbid diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which contributed to his sexual offending risk. Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) was the mode of therapy delivered to address trauma, and this case study explores necessary adaptations required to be responsive to the client’s ASD for EMDR to be effective. Psychometric, self-report, and observational evidence highlighted the effectiveness of EMDR in reducing PTSD symptomology and enhanced understanding of the case formulation. The implications of this are discussed, and this case study highlights the individual needs that a person with ASD may need responding to for delivering effective therapeutic and risk reduction interventions.

Book Section

English

Lyn Shelton

Shelton, L. (2022, December). Utilising EMDR to address trauma with an autistic person with a history of sexual offending. In Ruth J. Tully andJennifer Bamford (Eds), Further Case Studies in Forensic Psychology (pp.  ). London: Routledge