EMDR Therapy Group Protocol for Children

EMDR Therapy Group Protocol for Children
Ümran Korkmazlar, Ph. D., EMDR Europe C&A Senior Trainer
& Deniz Tan Tunca, M.A. Child EMDR consultant candidate

EMDR is an effective psychotherapy method to heal the traumatic memories of children and adults. Since 1999, EMDR has also been applied in group format and its effectiveness has been reported in the studies. In this workshop, The EMDR Group Protocol for Children (EMDR GP-C), developed by Korkmazlar during the 1999 Marmara Earthquake in Turkey, will be introduced. The 8 phases of the EMDR GP- C will be conveyed in detail to the participants with examples and applications. EMDR GP-C has flow of 8 phases of EMDR. Since it is prepared based on the AIP model, it helps to resolve the trauma. The content of the protocol can be adapted according to the nature of the trauma and the developmental level of the children (e.g. warm-up exercise, resources, story).  Information on the impact of the protocol can also be accessed from following publications: 1) Banoğlu, K. & Korkmazlar, Ü. (2022). Efficacy of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing group protocol with children in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder in refugee children. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, Vol 6, Issue 1, 100241, ISSN 2468-7499, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2021.100241.2) Bozkurt Bayhan, B., Tarquinio, C., Rydberg, J., Korkmazlar, Ü. (2022). The study of the group intervention containing EMDR therapy for children and mothers in the field of trauma after a mine explosion in Turkey. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, Vol 6, Issue 1, 100248, ISSN 2468-7499, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2021.100248.3) Korkmazlar-Oral, Ü. & Pamuk Ş. (2002).  Group EMDR with child survivors of earthquake in Turkey. Association of Child Psychology and Psychiatry (ACPP). Occasional Papers No.19, 47-50.4) Korkmazlar, U., Bozkurt, B., & Tan, D. (2020). EMDR group protocol for children: A € field study. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 14(1), 13–30. doi:10.1891/1933- 3196.14.1.13.

Aims

The aims are to:

1. In disaster situations, doing individual psychological support is not easy and possible; therefore, group intervention is more efficient and economic. In this presentation, it is aimed to teach how to use Group EMDR Protocol with children.
2. To teach how to use EMDR in the group according to different traumas and developmental level.

Objectives:

1. To convey the 8 phases of the EMDR GP- C to the participants
2. Be share experiences of using different populations
3. To describe how to use different techniques in group EMDR treatment (i.e. drawing, story)
4. To practise in small groups

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will:

• Learn about the rationale for using EMDR in group format
• Learn when to consider using this approach with children and adolescents
• Learn about the benefits to clients
• Be introduced to use group EMDR with clients and learn how to use it

3 CPD points have been approved for this event.