Effects of EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol on Burnout Within IAPT Healthcare Professionals: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study

This study explores the effectiveness of EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (EMDR G-TEP) at reducing distress and burnout in therapists.

“Mental health professionals face a high degree of burnout. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (EMDR G-TEP) at reducing distress and burnout in staff working within an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service and if outcomes changed over number of sessions attended. Twenty-two staff attended and measures examining burnout and subjective distress ratings of the targeted memory were taken pre- and post-intervention and at one-month follow-up. 95.5% reported finding the sessions helpful. A statistically significant reduction was observed on total burnout and on personal and work-related subscales; and a significant improvement in subjective units of disturbance was also observed. There was no interaction between changes in burnout and number of sessions attended. EMDR G-TEP has the potential to offer a novel method to improve staff wellbeing within mental health settings. Further research is recommended.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Pink, J., Ghomi, M., Smart, T., & Richardson, T. (2022). Effects of EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol on Burnout Within IAPT Healthcare Professionals: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 16(4), 215–227. https://doi.org/10.1891/EMDR-2022-0029

About the Journal

The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research is a peer-reviewed publication devoted to integrative, state-of-the-art papers about Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. It is a broadly conceived interdisciplinary journal that stimulates and communicates research and theory about EMDR, and their application to clinical practice. The Journal of EMDR Practice and Research is the Official Publication of the EMDR International Association.