Abstract
Background
In addition to having a negative impact on the physical and emotional health of the population, the global Covid–19 pandemic has necessitated psychotherapists moving their practice to online environments. This service evaluation examines the efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy delivered via the internet.
Methods
A real–world service evaluation was conducted from a self–selecting group of EMDR therapists that subscribe to either a JISCMail discussion list or either the UK or All Ireland National EMDR Associations. Author designed questionnaires were used to gather information on the efficacy of EMDR delivered online as well as client and therapist characteristics.
Results
Thirty-three therapists provided efficacy data on a total of 93 patients. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions were found in all four-psychometrics used both in adult and children and young people populations. Client outcome was not related to therapist experience.
Conclusions
EMDR delivered via the internet can be an effective treatment for clients experiencing mental health issues.
In addition to having a negative impact on the physical and emotional health of the population, the global Covid–19 pandemic has necessitated psychotherapists moving their practice to online environments. This service evaluation examines the efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy delivered via the internet.
Methods
A real–world service evaluation was conducted from a self–selecting group of EMDR therapists that subscribe to either a JISCMail discussion list or either the UK or All Ireland National EMDR Associations. Author designed questionnaires were used to gather information on the efficacy of EMDR delivered online as well as client and therapist characteristics.
Results
Thirty-three therapists provided efficacy data on a total of 93 patients. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions were found in all four-psychometrics used both in adult and children and young people populations. Client outcome was not related to therapist experience.
Conclusions
EMDR delivered via the internet can be an effective treatment for clients experiencing mental health issues.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 560 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | BMC Psychiatry |
| Volume | 21 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Nov 2021 |
Keywords
- EMDR therapy
- Covid 19
- online interventions
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy
Access to Document
- An evaluation of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy delivered remotely during the Covid–19 pandemic
Copyright 2021 the authors. This is an open access article published under a Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the author and source are cited.