Intensive EMDR versus weekly EMDR in an IAPT primary care service

This presentation is an audit evaluation piloting the use of intensive EMDR measured against outcomes of weekly delivered EMDR in an IAPT service. The client group consisted of Primary Care level patients aged between 18-65 with anxiety and depression alongside PTSD. Traditionally EMDR has been delivered weekly since its inception for PTSD, and within the IAPT service on the Isle of Wight UK, this model is delivered to patients with a diagnosis of PTSD and can be offered up to 20 sessions of therapy on a weekly basis. Our hypothesis was to test the outcomes of delivering EMDR intensively, the intensive levels ranging according to patient availability ranging from 2 days per week to 5 days per week. A selection of patients were offered intensive EMDR and a selection were offered weekly EMDR with outcome measures taken at every session. Preliminary findings from this pilot study will be presented in detail, focusing on reductions in the IES-Revised, PHQ-9 & GAD-7. Reductions in cancellations and did not attend sessions between the two groups and measured improvements through the WSAS outcome measure of life functions will be discussed as well as patient experiences.

Conference

English

Jacky Smith
Eoin O'Callaghan

Smith, J., & O'Callaghan, E. (2016, June). Intensive EMDR versus weekly EMDR in an IAPT primary care service. Intensive EMDR for (complex) PTSD (Peter Liebermann, Chair). Presentation  at the at the 17th EMDR Europe Association Conference, The Hague