Application of EMDR-IGTP for return refugees from Thai-Myanmar borders

In recent years, many refugees, mainly of Karen and Karenni ethnicity are returning to their home country of Myanmar after living in Thailand-Myanmar border refugee camps for many years. Some international organizations and church based organizations are helping the returnees with their adjustment and resettlement back into current Myanmar society. Having lived in the refugee camps for many decades, it is not easy moving back to their home country. These are the people who would have experienced many traumatic incidents; violence, insecurity and uncertainty for future while staying at camps and during the return process. The need for psychological support is in high demand and with very little resources. The EMDR (IGTP) has been studied in many countries and in many different manmade and natural disasters and it would be advantageous to add to the study with the Myanmar refugee population. As the therapy aims for the early intervention and for the group with similar traumatic experiences this study would be supported for the returnees who can hardly access to both mental and medical support in the remote area of Myanmar. The study aims to adapt Jarero’s EMDR (IGTP) (2010, 2017) in Myanmar and test its efficacy in reducing emotional disturbance and anxiety, measure with GAD-7 and PCL-5 Myanmar returning refugees. Implications for EMDR (IGTP) in Myanmar returning refugees will be discussed. Moreover, this would be the first study among the Myanmar population, thus demonstrating the effectiveness of EMDR (IGTP) therapy for the early intervention.

Conference

English

Agnes Mary

Mary, A. (2020, January). Application of EMDR-IGTP for return refugees from Thai-Myanmar borders. Paper presented at the 4th EMDR Asia International Conference, Bangkok, Thailand