Exploring Ethnic Minority Clients’ Experience of Online Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing Therapy for Trauma: An Interpretative Phenomenological Clients’ Perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for trauma-focused therapies that can be delivered online, including the Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. However, little is known regarding the impact of online EMDR (vEMDR) and even less is understood about the experiences of ethnic minority clients.

This study explored the vEMDR therapy experiences of six ethnic minority participants who completed vEMDR therapy for trauma. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).

The study revealed four group experiential themes: 1)‘Wagging a finger on screen’ – The online EMDR therapy is a compromise that pays off; 2) Creating trust, safety and connection: The impact of therapeutic relationships in EMDR therapy; 3) ‘In my own space’: The safety, comfort and convenience of online EMDR Therapy; and 4) Healing Through the Journey of EMDR: preferences, challenges, grounding, and transformation. The findings showed that despite initial scepticism and uncertainty, participants reluctantly engaged in vEMDR and found it a worthwhile compromise. The findings highlighted therapeutic relationship (TR) was crucial, fostering a sense of safety, connection, and trust. TR was strengthened when therapists were sensitive to race, culture and ethnicity-related issues. An effective TR was achieved online in this study. It showed that online EMDR therapy can be safe, comfortable, and convenient. The EMDR process was challenging, yet therapeutic benefits extended beyond trauma resolution to addressing other difficulties such as stress, anxiety and confidence, making the experience transformative and empowering.

These research findings cover ethnic minority clients' vEMDR therapy experiences in a way that prior research has not. The novel findings suggest that vEMDR can be safe and effective and can enhance therapy experiences. It can be implemented flexibly to reach a diverse population, including those with geographical, cultural, and linguistic needs. Research implications, limitations, and recommendations have been explored.