Therapists’ experiences with the effectiveness and feasibility of videoconference-based eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
This study endorses the validity of EMDR delivered via telehealth due to its effectiveness and viability as an online treatment approach.
Article Abstract
“Research on the effectiveness and applicability of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) via videoconference is sparse. Considering the emerging use of internet-based psychotherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic, information on videoconference-based EMDR (eEMDR) would be beneficial for many therapists. In this study, 23 therapists from the EMDR-Institute in Germany provided information about their experiences with eEMDR in a questionnaire-based survey. Information on the effectiveness and the course of 102 eEMDR sessions was recorded. Results showed the potential of eEMDR as an effective and viable method. The decrease in the subjective unit of disturbance (SUD), which is an important indicator of treatment outcome, was found to be at a similar level compared to that of previous EMDR studies that were not administered in eEMDR format. The most important predictor of the SUD decrease was the type of bilateral stimulation used in eEMDR sessions. Eye movements resulted in significantly greater SUD reductions than tapping. Perceived disadvantages and impediments for the implementation of eEMDR were mainly of bureaucratic and technical concerns. In addition, about one-third of the therapists stated that some patients were not willing to engage in eEMDR. In our study, eEMDR proved to be a practically applicable therapy method and therefore, therapists can consider using eEMDR. These findings will hopefully encourage EMDR therapists and their patients to use eEMDR due to its effectiveness and viability as an online treatment approach.”
—Description from publisher
Article Access
Open Access
Mischler, C., Hofmann, A., Behnke, A., Matits, L., Lehnung, M., Varadarajan, S., Rojas, R., Kolassa, I-T., & Tumani, V. (2021). Therapists’ experiences with the effectiveness and feasibility of videoconference-based eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Frontiers in Psychology, 748712. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.748712
About the Journal
“Frontiers in Psychology is a multidisciplinary journal that publishes advances in psychological research.”
—Description from publisher
Date
October 5, 2021
Creator(s)
Corinna Mischler, Arne Hofmann, Alexander Behnke
Contributor(s)
Lynn Matits, Maria Lehnung, Suchithra Varadarajan, Roberto Rojas, Iris-Tatjana Kolassa, Visal Tumani
Practice & Methods
Telehealth
Extent
9 pages
Publisher
Frontiers
Rights
Copyright © 2021 Mischler, Hofmann, Behnke, Matits, Lehnung, Varadarajan, Rojas, Kolassa and Tumani. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
APA Citation
Mischler, C., Hofmann, A., Behnke, A., Matits, L., Lehnung, M., Varadarajan, S., Rojas, R., Kolassa, I-T., & Tumani, V. (2021). Therapists’ experiences with the effectiveness and feasibility of videoconference-based eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Frontiers in Psychology: Psychology for Clinical Settings, 748712. Open access: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.748712
Audience
EMDR Therapists, Other Mental Health Professionals
Language
English
Content Type
Article, Peer-Reviewed
Access Type
External Resource, Open Access
