Could EMDR be a promising treatment in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic incident?

Various studies have shown that the counselling routinely offered to people in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic incident seldom protects them from developing post-traumatic stress -and could even delay their recovery. On the other hand, clinical experience suggests that in many cases with the proper utilization of EMDR an almost spontaneous integration of perceptions of sensory input and the cognitive components of the experience takes place. Although controlled data about types of interventions. the optimal time to intervene or predictors of response and recovery are still lacking. within the organization D.O.E.N., providing critical incident stress management services in the Netherlands, there is broad experience in utilizing EMDR with clients who exhibit severe early symptoms following trauma and who need 'first-aid' treatment. EMDR treatment is generally started when there is no evidence of change or recovery within the course of 1 or 2 weeks. Since there is a tremendous unmet need, there is an important challenge to demonstrate in controlled research the advantages of EMDR for those who suffer from symptoms of acute stress, for example in emergency departments and/or the immediate aftermath of mass trauma. This presentation will focus on the rationale for early treatment with the use of EMDR. This approach is illustrated by segments of video taped treatment sessions of clients with symptoms of acute stress.

Conference

English

Ad de Jongh

de Jongh, A. (2005, June). Could EMDR be a promising treatment in the immediate aftermath of a traumatic incident?  In "EMDR in action," Part 2. Symposium conducted at the 6th EMDR Europe Association Conference, Brussels, Belgium