The use of the “group traumatic episode protocol (G-TEP)” in an outpatient randomized and hospital setting: Implementation and effects in heterogeneous patient samples

This study examined the application of G-TEP (a group EMDR protocol) in both outpatient and in-patient settings for treating multiple symptoms.

Article Abstract

“Objective: The resource-based eye movement desensitization and reprocessing group intervention group traumatic episode protocol G-TEP showed promising results in reducing posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety. Using a high structured G-TEP worksheet, the patients conduct self-bilateral stimulation while (re)processing their targets. We examined the effectiveness on multiple symptoms and practicability of G-TEP in an outpatient setting and its feasibility in hospital treatment.

Method: Study A: Forty-four patients suffering from different symptoms and diagnoses received four ambulatory G-TEP sessions within three eye movement desensitization and reprocessing-G-TEP sessions in a randomized delayed waitlist control group design. We investigate the improvements in symptoms and advantages of G-TEP as an upstream treatment. Study B: The targeted changes in symptom burden in 23 patients and the implementation process of G-TEP as an additional treatment option in a psychiatric hospital were examined. The measures used were Impact of Event Scale–Revised, Beck Depression Inventory–II, Brief Symptom Check List, and the Questionnaire on Dissociative Symptoms at pre- and posttreatment and follow-up.

Results: Both studies showed significant and long-lasting reductions in subjective distress and concomitant impairments. The distressing experiences became more “ego-syntonic,” levels of avoidance decreased, abilities to manage negative emotions got strengthened, and they gained hope. All effects had a positive impact on subsequent treatment processes; some patients already went free of symptoms only with this short G-TEP treatment.

Conclusion: G-TEP effectively alleviates symptoms caused by stressful experiences. G-TEP can be used as a stand-alone intervention in outpatients and can easily be integrated into the offer of multimodal therapy in a psychiatric ward. It can prevent the exacerbation of symptoms and chronification of disease and should be implemented into the (German) health system.”

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Stingl, M., Hemmerde, M., Drutschmann, E., Pape, V., & Hanewald, B. (2024). The use of the “group traumatic episode protocol (G-TEP)” in an outpatient randomized and hospital setting: Implementation and effects in heterogeneous patient samples. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Advance online publication.  https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/tra0001711

About the Journal

“‘Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy^® publishes empirical research on the psychological effects of trauma. The journal is intended to be a forum for an interdisciplinary discussion on trauma, blending science, theory, practice, and policy. This journal is a publication of APA Division 56 (Trauma Psychology)”

—Description from publisher