This qualitative, phenomenological study describes the perceptions and experiences of psychologists from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey regarding an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) psychotherapy. In order to understand how psychologists perceive this treatment method, 20 psychologists from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey were recruited through an online survey. The
... [Show full abstract] participants were asked to describe their perception and experience of EMDR. Qualitative analysis of the responses revealed five common themes, which described the phenomenon. These themes included: positive personal or anecdotal experiences with EMDR, perception that EMDR is primarily used for trauma, EMDR is used as an adjunct therapy, obstacles to EMDR training/certification, and limited knowledge and information about EMDR among psychologists and the general population. Findings from this study may provide a foundation for future research that may help in better understanding of psychologist perception and experience with the EMDR approach and especially about differences and similarities between psychologists in different countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey. Besides this, it can also help to gain an understanding of the variables involved in psychologists choosing to pursue training in different treatment modalities.
