Building Resilience and Dismantling Fear: EMDR Group Protocol With Children in an Area of Ongoing Trauma

Studies indicate that EMDR may be efficacious for children & young people with symptoms of PTSD in situations of ongoing violence and trauma.

Article Abstract

“A number of studies indicate that EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) may be efficacious in treatment of children and young people with symptoms of posttraumatic stress. However, reports are limited in the use of the EMDR psychotherapy approach in situations of ongoing violence and trauma. This case study describes work with seven children in an area of ongoing violence who were subject to repeat traumas during the course of an EMDR psychotherapy intervention, using a group protocol. Results indicate that the EMDR approach can be effective in a group setting, and in an acute situation, both in reducing symptoms of posttraumatic and peritraumatic stress and in “inoculation” or building resilience in a setting of ongoing conflict and trauma. Given the need for such applications, further research is recommended regarding EMDR’s ability to increase personal resources in such settings.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

Open Access

Zaghrout-Hodali, M., Alissa, F., & Dodgson, P. W. (2008). Building Resilience and Dismantling Fear: EMDR Group Protocol With Children in an Area of Ongoing Trauma. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(2), 106–113. https://doi.org/10.1891/1933-3196.2.2.106

About the Journal

Journal of EMDR Practice and Research (JEMDR) is a peer-reviewed publication devoted to integrative, state-of-the-art papers about EMDR therapy. It is a broadly conceived interdisciplinary journal that stimulates and communicates research and theory about EMDR therapy and its application to clinical practice. JEMDR is the official publication of the EMDR International Association.