Psychological treatment of three urban fire fighters with post-traumatic stress disorder using eye movement desensitisation reprocessing (EMDR) therapy

Abstract

Fire fighters are at increased risk of developing mental health problems due to the nature of their work, which can sometimes be extremely traumatic. Arranging for immediate access to mental health specialists can often take a protracted time to arrange, leading to the individual remaining disabled and off work. The South Wales fire and rescue service have responded to this challenge and formed a partnership with their local NHS traumatic stress service. This has enabled fire fighters to receive early psychological assessment and treatment from a nurse therapist trained in cognitive behaviour therapy or referred to a consultant liaison psychiatrist. This paper will describe 3 cases which all suffered with PTSD and were treated via the partnership with a controversial therapy EMDR.