Cultural adaptations of the standard EMDR protocol in 5 African countries: Working with special populations and uncommon settings with EMDR
Description
Background
Adaptations of EMDR protocols have been made for disaster affected populations [1-8]. Since 2007 mental health workers in over 10 African countries have been trained in EMDR by HAP associations [9-11]. We describe how African therapists adapt the standard 8 phased EMDR protocol.
Method
25 EMDR therapists (3 male, 22 female, age range 32-60 years, x̄=44) who practiced EMDR for 1-11 years (x̄=7), answered a questionnaire, and 8 participated in a focus group discussion. Supervision notes of 2 EMDR supervisors and trainers were analysed.
Results
Therapists found EMDR a useful and beneficial therapy. The therapists made significant adaptations in resourcing, description of cognitions, and VoC & SUDs scales. All therapists preferred to use ‘happy’, ‘calm’, or ‘special’ place over ‘safe’. The word ‘container’ was often replaced by a ‘basket’ or ‘pit’. Therapists added dance, music and religious practices as resourcing exercises. Finding a cognition starting with ‘I’ instead of ‘we’ was difficult. The term negative cognition was sometimes translated as ‘bad thoughts’ or a ‘cursed thought’, whilst positive cognitions were called ‘good’ or ‘blessed’. VoC and SUDs scales are explained using hand movements, or the pictorial faces version. Therapists said clients preferred tapping and were wary of eye movements, thinking of it as ‘witchcraft’. The majority preferred EMDR over other types of therapy due to its non narrative nature and quick results.
Conclusions
African EMDR therapists have successfully adapted and used the EMDR protocol. We recommend African researchers to further study the acceptability, use, and effectiveness of EMDR in their countries.
Adaptations of EMDR protocols have been made for disaster affected populations [1-8]. Since 2007 mental health workers in over 10 African countries have been trained in EMDR by HAP associations [9-11]. We describe how African therapists adapt the standard 8 phased EMDR protocol.
Method
25 EMDR therapists (3 male, 22 female, age range 32-60 years, x̄=44) who practiced EMDR for 1-11 years (x̄=7), answered a questionnaire, and 8 participated in a focus group discussion. Supervision notes of 2 EMDR supervisors and trainers were analysed.
Results
Therapists found EMDR a useful and beneficial therapy. The therapists made significant adaptations in resourcing, description of cognitions, and VoC & SUDs scales. All therapists preferred to use ‘happy’, ‘calm’, or ‘special’ place over ‘safe’. The word ‘container’ was often replaced by a ‘basket’ or ‘pit’. Therapists added dance, music and religious practices as resourcing exercises. Finding a cognition starting with ‘I’ instead of ‘we’ was difficult. The term negative cognition was sometimes translated as ‘bad thoughts’ or a ‘cursed thought’, whilst positive cognitions were called ‘good’ or ‘blessed’. VoC and SUDs scales are explained using hand movements, or the pictorial faces version. Therapists said clients preferred tapping and were wary of eye movements, thinking of it as ‘witchcraft’. The majority preferred EMDR over other types of therapy due to its non narrative nature and quick results.
Conclusions
African EMDR therapists have successfully adapted and used the EMDR protocol. We recommend African researchers to further study the acceptability, use, and effectiveness of EMDR in their countries.
Format
Conference
Language
English
Original Work Citation
Bannink, F. M., Dewailly, A., Admasu, K., Duagani, Y., Wamala, K., Hazvinei, A., Bwesigye, D., & Roth, G. (2021, June). Cultural adaptations of the standard EMDR protocol in 5 African countries: Working with special populations and uncommon settings with EMDR. Presentation at the 21st EMDR Europe Association Conference, Virtual
Citation
“Cultural adaptations of the standard EMDR protocol in 5 African countries: Working with special populations and uncommon settings with EMDR,” Francine Shapiro Library, accessed May 12, 2024, https://francineshapirolibrary.omeka.net/items/show/26898.