A qualitative study on clinicians’ perceptions of Attachment‐Focused eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy

Abstract

AbstractPurposeFirst identified and codified in the late 1980s by Dr Francine Shapiro, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is increasingly recommended as a front‐line response to post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As PTSD is itself becoming understood as a consequence not just of single potentially traumatic events (PTEs) but also of experiences of dysfunctional attachment with primary caregivers in earlier childhood, EMDR therapy is starting to embrace attachment theory, and the need to factor an awareness of developmental trauma into therapeutic treatment. A development of the Standard EMDR Protocol, which builds on this understanding, has become known as Attachment‐Focused EMDR (AF‐EMDR). Although increasingly widely used by EMDR therapists, to date there has indeed been no published research into how AF‐EMDR is experienced in practice by qualified and accredited AF‐EMDR‐trained therapists. This paper aims to begin to fill that gap.MethodsA qualitative approach was employed, analysing semi‐structured online interviews with eight experienced and AF‐EMDR‐trained UK‐based therapists accredited at Consultant level with the EMDR Europe Association. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsThree broad themes were generated from thematic analysis, namely perceptions of AF‐EMDR; it is not versus, it is with; and EMDR itself as an innovative approach.ConclusionsThe study found AF‐EMDR to be highly appreciated by therapists trained and experienced in this approach. Considering the nature of developmental trauma, the authors propose that core training and supervision in EMDR should allow more room for an explicit focus, in both case conceptualisation and treatment, on clients’ early‐childhood attachment histories.