EMDR therapy following the 9/11 terrorist attacks: A community-based intervention project in New York City

This article, by Gina A. Colelli, LCSW and others, shows EMDR as a useful treatment intervention both in the immediate aftermath of disaster as well as later; the longer treatment is delayed, the greater the level of disturbance experienced by clients.

Article Abstract

“This article presents the results of a time-limited psychological relief effort using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) following the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Clients made highly significant positive gains on a range of outcome variables, including validated psychometrics and self-report scales. Analyses of the data suggest 2 broad conclusions: EMDR is a useful treatment intervention both in the immediate aftermath of disaster as well as later; the longer treatment is delayed, the greater the level of disturbance experienced by clients. Also discussed are problems in conducting research during mass disaster response situations. A demonstration of an analog to a wait-list control group is provided.”

—Description from publisher

Article Access

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Silver, S. M., Rogers, S., Knipe, J., & Colelli, G. (2005). EMDR therapy following the 9/11 terrorist attacks: A community-based intervention project in New York City. International Journal of Stress Management, 12(1), 29-42, 1541. https://doi.org/10.1037/1072-5245.12.1.29

About the Journal

“The editorial focus of the International Journal of Stress Management^® (IJSM) is the assessment, management, and treatment of stress and trauma, whether emotional, cognitive, behavioral, or physiological.”

—Description from publisher