Clinicians’ perceived barriers to implementing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy

The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions of clinicians’ experiences and self-efficacy barriers they experienced implementing EMDR therapy while treating military veterans with PTSD.

Article Abstract

“Social workers encounter barriers when implementing or attempting to implement eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) while treating trauma clients who are military veterans diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Understanding perceptions of these experiences will better prepare social workers for counseling sessions. The purpose of this study was to describe perceptions of clinicians’ experiences and self-efficacy barriers they experienced. Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy was used to explore their belief in their capacity to execute behaviors that were necessary for performance. This involved asking clinicians about their experiences and roles self-efficacy played after training and while implementing or attempting to implement EMDR with military veterans who were diagnosed with PTSD. A generic qualitative research design was used to explore experiences involving EMDR and role of self-efficacy factors. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 10 social workers regarding this topic. Data collection was done using thematic data analysis. This entailed categorizing and classifying data into emerging themes to answer research questions. These themes were training experiences, positive implementation experiences, barriers to implementation, value of structure in EMDR phases, and self-efficacy factors. Results from this study may contribute to educating social workers about perceived barriers and improving their self-efficacy while conducting EMDR therapy.”

Article Access

Open Access

Majeskey, A. T. (2024). Clinicians’ perceived barriers to implementing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy. [Doctoral thesis, Walden University, 31561368].  Open access: https://www.proquest.com/openview/874af96167017c2f99103913917221d3/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y