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ERIC Number: EJ1360762
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Jan
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: N/A
Using EMDR with Autistic Individuals: A Delphi Survey with EMDR Therapists
Fisher, Naomi; van Diest, Caroline; Leoni, Marguerite; Spain, Debbie
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v27 n1 p43-53 Jan 2023
Autistic individuals are at greater risk of experiencing adverse and traumatic life events. Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), a psychological therapy, is potentially effective for treating the constellation of difficulties arising from traumatic experiences, as well as mental health conditions. Yet minimal research has focused on how EMDR may require adaptation to improve its accessibility, acceptability and effectiveness for autistic individuals. In a three-round Delphi survey, 103 EMDR therapists were asked about barriers to EMDR for autistic individuals and adaptations employed to enhance therapy, so as to generate consensus about important or essential components of adaptations to EMDR. Four types of barriers were highlighted: client-related characteristics, therapist-related characteristics, differences in the therapeutic relationship and systemic issues. One hundred and twenty-four adaptations were identified, including 35 general adaptations (i.e. relevant across EMDR phases), 81 relating to specific EMDR phases and 8 about EMDR clinical supervision. Of these, 27 adaptations were used often or always by at least 80% of participants; a further 61 were sometimes incorporated within therapy, depending on the client. Study findings highlight the need for EMDR therapists to have training about autism and the potential ways of tailoring EMDR, and that individual case conceptualisation is key.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A