A peer support workshop for the treatment of traumatic stress of railroad personnel: Contributions of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)

Explore how a peer support workshop and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can help railroad workers cope with grief and trauma.

Article Abstract

“This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of a 3-day peer support workshop for 60 railroad employees who had experienced fatal grade crossing accidents.  Participants received training on trauma and coping strategies, peer support strategies, and peer debriefing.  Half the group also received Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing.  The Impact of Event Scale was administered at the workshop, 2-month post-treatment, and 10-month follow-up.   There was a significant decrease in scores at post-treatment and follow-up.  The addition of EMDR led to significantly lower scores than only having the workshop alone.  The workshop appeared successful in decreasing the effects of long term trauma.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Solomon, R. M., & Kaufman, T. E. (2002). A peer support workshop for the treatment of traumatic stress of railroad personnel: Contributions of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Journal of Brief Therapy, 2(1), 27-33. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294684934_A_peer_support_workshop_for_the_treatment_of_traumatic_stress_of_railroad_personnel_Contributions_of_eye_movement_desensitization_and_reprocessing_EMDR