Effects of EMDR Group Traumatic Episode Protocol on Burnout Within IAPT HealthCare Professionals: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study

Mental health professionals face a high degree of burnout. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (EMDR G-TEP) at reducing distress and burnout in staff working within an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service and if outcomes changed over number of sessions attended. Twenty-two staff attended and measures examining burnout, and subjective distress ratings of the targeted memory were taken pre, post and 1 month follow-ups. 95.5% reported finding the sessions helpful. A statistically significant reduction was observed on total burnout, and personal and work-related subscales; and a significant improvement in subjective units of distress. There was no interaction in changes of burnout and number of sessions attended. EMDR G-TEP has the potential to offer a novel method to improve staff wellbeing within mental health settings. Further research is recommended.