Exploring therapists’ experiences of using Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy with children and young people

Shipley, Gemma (2024) Exploring therapists’ experiences of using Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy with children and young people. DClinPsy thesis, University of Nottingham.

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Abstract

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1989 as a psychotherapeutic intervention for adult clients diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Over time, empirical support for the intervention’s efficacy and effectiveness has grown and EMDR has been recommended as an evidence-based treatment option in the United Kingdom by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2018). Furthermore, the clinical utility of EMDR with other client groups, such as children and young people, has been explored, with research and clinical studies offering promising results. However, when working with children and young people it is well established that treatment protocols originally developed with adult clients in mind, often require adaptation to ensure their developmental appropriateness. It has been suggested that therapists typically make adaptations to standardised protocols based on their areas of expertise, often drawing on and integrating other therapeutic modalities in the service of promoting meaningful engagement and enhancing outcomes for children and young people. However, what is not clear within the current literature is how therapists experience adapting and delivering EMDR to children and young people.

Aim

The aim of this study was to speak with therapists offering EMDR therapy to children and young people in order to explore their experiences of adapting and delivering the intervention with this client group. The study aimed to explore and understand the perceived barriers and facilitators to adapting and delivering EMDR therapy when working with children and young people.

Method

A qualitative approach was utilised within this study. A study advert was posted on various social media platforms inviting therapists offering EMDR to children and young people to take part in an interview lasting approximately one hour. Interviews were semi-structured and took place remotely via Microsoft Teams. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and subsequently analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Findings

Seven female therapists participated in the study. Therapists worked in public sector and private practice settings and had between one and 15 years of experience using EMDR with children and young people. The results of the Reflexive Thematic Analysis generated two key themes and six related subthemes. The key themes identified were ‘Putting EMDR into Practice’ and ‘Working Systemically’.

Conclusions

Whilst therapists considered EMDR to be an appropriate intervention for children and young people, they agreed that often, some adaptation to the standard EMDR protocol was required to ensure the intervention’s developmental appropriateness. Most therapists believed that adapting the standard EMDR protocol served to enhance engagement and improve therapeutic outcomes for children and young people. Yet, many believed that not enough attention had been given to making adaptations during their Child and Adolescent EMDR training. In clinical practice, therapists viewed supervision as a helpful space to think about when and how to adapt EMDR, as well as for discussing the impact of the many systemic factors present when working with children and young people.

Item Type: Thesis (University of Nottingham only) (DClinPsy)
Supervisors: Hudson, Mark
Tickle, Anna
Keywords: EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitisation, Therapist Experience, Children and Young People, Reflexive Thematic Analysis, Qualitative
Subjects: W Medicine and related subjects (NLM Classification) > WS Pediatrics
Faculties/Schools: UK Campuses > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine
Item ID: 77205
Depositing User: Shipley, Gemma
Date Deposited: 17 Jul 2024 04:40
Last Modified: 17 Jul 2024 04:40
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/77205

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