A duty or a joy? An interpretive phenomenological analysis of EMDR therapists’ experience of Continuing Professional Development (CPD); and what they think they need to know

This research set out to explore the experience of EMDR therapists in undertaking Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events and what knowledge they believe they need to acquire beyond standard training. 12 Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) practitioners were interviewed about their training, their CPD experience and the extent to which they plan this, along with what they think practitioners need to know. Of the 12 interviewees, four were trained but not accredited practitioners, four were accredited and four were consultants. They were asked what other information they believe they need, and what they think about the idea of a structured programme of CPD. Semi-structured interviews of between an hour and an hour and a half were conducted and recorded. Data were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) (Smith et al., 2009). Ten themes were identified. Results indicate that the practitioners interviewed do largely benefit from and enjoy their CPD, finding it largely a joy rather than a duty, although there were some elements of the latter. Most participants in the study were not making a specific CPD plan and may possibly benefit from doing so: the themes around what they believe an EMDR therapist needs to know encompassed both technical knowledge and beliefs around the therapeutic relationship. The results indicate some criticism of current structures of training and CPD.
There were varying responses to the idea of a structured programme of CPD, and to the personal development plan discussed.
Products from the research include a CPD course, a Conference presentation and a new Personal and Professional Development Plan.