Therapists' Attitudes and Exclusion Criteria for Prolonged Exposure and EMDR in Patients With Eating Disorders and PTSD

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 81 EDs therapists (88% female; M age = 40.4, SD = 10.4) in 2023 in the Netherlands. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses assessed predictors of excluding patients with EDs and comorbid PTSD from exposure‐based treatments for PTSD. Results: Therapists held more favourable beliefs about EMDR (M = 10.5, SD = 7.5) than PE (M = 13.9, SD = 6.9), and were less likely to exclude patients with EDs and comorbid PTSD from EMDR (M = 15.5, SD = 9.3) than PE (M = 17.7, SD = 9.3) (t(80) = 3.47, p < 0.002).

Beliefs about exposure‐based interventions predicted the likelihood of exclusion from both PE (β = 0.56, p < 0.002) and EMDR (β = 0.69, p < 0.002). Conclusions: Therapists' beliefs influence the use of exposure‐based treatments for PTSD in patients with EDs and comorbid PTSD. Addressing these beliefs in training, may support broader implementation.