References for Healing the Hurt
As EMDR therapy does not require people to describe the memory in detail, it facilitates effective treatment where people are reticent about personal disclosure and protects the therapists from vicarious traumatisation. Used internationally in disasters since 1995, EMDR trauma recovery programs have developed effective treatments for all stages of community recovery. There are specific early intervention protocols which can be used to prevent the development of PTSD. There are group protocols which can be delivered on location and to children.
This activity can be delivered in disaster-prone areas either in the aftermath of a disaster, during the three months following, before traumatic memories are consolidated into PTSD, or as a preventative and capacity-building project in places which suffer disasters cyclically - eg cyclones and bushfires. The program helps emergency workers and whole communities who have been exposed to traumatic events.
FAQs
What is EMDR anyway?
*Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing . See this short video for an inspiring explanation of how this WHO endorsed therapy treats Trauma Survivors and can treat large numbers..
More information on EMDR is available in this video:
and elsewhere on the website www.emdrhap.org and www.emdr-europe.org and https://emdraa.org for Australia.
Psychology Today has an article for potential patients to learn about EMDR.
Here is a short case study of one Counselor’s experience.
And here is a child-accessible video about treating traumatic memories.
Is it important to reach children quickly after a disaster or violent episode?
This study found that early experiences have lifelong effects, at potential great costs to society as well as the individuals and their families. One study found mothers may have difficulty with parenting after traumatic experiences. And another study discovered long-lasting changes in the brains of children exposed to abuse.
This paper discusses the developmental impacts on children exposed to trauma. We also know that perpetrators of violence often have a history of themselves experiencing trauma as children.
The Victorian Council of Social Services published a paper in 2016 linking natural disasters to domestic violence here, and counting the overall social cost of inaction.
There is a specific group therapy for children after disasters, which can be delivered with the help of teachers in a school setting.
What other therapies are approved for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) ?
Cognitive- Behavioural therapy with a Trauma Focus (CBT-TF) or Prolonged Exposure (CBT-PE)
Why is EMDR quicker and less intrusive than other therapies?
See this article for a comparison of the two therapies. Most EMDR clinicians have a prior background in CBT, and can offer that if the patient prefers. For groups, EMDR seems more effective in early stage aftermath work. This study suggests a very long treatment schedule using CBT protocols.
Can you give examples of situations where EMDR was able to stabilise large numbers?
Therapists in Turkey were trained in EMDR Therapy after the 1999 Marmara earthquake in their tent cities and thus able to provide therapy to 15,000 people. Research showed that 97.2% with PTSD were symptom free after an average of five 90 minute sessions of emdr (Reference)
Carlson, J., Chemtob, C.M., Rusnak, K., Hedlund, N.L, & Muraoka, M.Y. (1998). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): Treatment for combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 11, 3-24. Twelve sessions of EMDR eliminated post-traumatic stress disorder in 77.7% of the multiply traumatized combat veterans studied. There was 100% retention in the EMDR condition. Effects were maintained at follow-up. This is the only randomized study to provide a full course of treatment with combat veterans. Other studies (e.g., Boudewyns/Devilly/Jensen/Pitman et al./Macklin et al.) evaluated treatment of only one or two memories, which, according to the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Practice Guidelines (2000), is inappropriate for multiple-trauma survivors. The VA/DoD Practice Guideline (2004) also indicates these studies (often with only two sessions) offered insufficient treatment doses for veterans. EMDR therapy is given the strongest level of recommendation in the VA/DoD Practice Guideline (2004, 2010, 2017). (via emdr.com)
Chemtob, C.M., Nakashima, J., & Carlson, J.G. (2002). Brief-treatment for elementary school children with disaster-related PTSD: A field study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 58, 99-112.
EMDR was found to be an effective treatment for children with disaster-related PTSD who had not responded to another intervention. This is the first controlled study for disaster-related PTSD, and the first controlled study examining the treatment of children with PTSD. (via emdr.com)
Newman, E., Pfefferbaum, B., Kirlic, N., Tett, R., Nelson, S., & Liles, B. (2014). Meta-analytic review of psychological interventions for children survivors of natural and man-made disasters. Current Psychiatry Reports, 16(9), 462. doi:10.1007/s11920-014-0462-z Elana Newman, The University of Tulsa Institute of Trauma, Adversity, and Injustice, Department of Psychology, 800 South Tucker Drive, Tulsa, OK, 74103, USA. E-mail: elana-newman@utulsa.edu Abstract
Although many post-disaster interventions for children and adolescent survivors of disaster and terrorism have been created, little is known about the effectiveness of such interventions. Therefore, this meta-analysis assessed PTSD outcomes among children and adolescent survivors of natural and man-made disasters receiving psychological interventions. Aggregating results from 24 studies (total N = 2630) indicates that children and adolescents receiving psychological intervention fared significantly better than those in control or waitlist groups with respect to PTSD symptoms. Moderator effects were also observed for intervention package, treatment modality (group vs. individual), providers' level of training, intervention setting, parental involvement, participant age, length of treatment, intervention delivery timing, and methodological rigor. Findings are discussed in detail with suggestions for practice and future research. (via https://www.sonomapti.com/blog/index_files/EMDR_Research_News_September_2014.html )
Why is training of therapists needed? Aren’t there enough already?
The accessibility of EMDR therapy in emergency and disaster situations, when relatively large numbers of trauma victims are involved, is often limited by a shortage of trained clinicians immediately available They also need special training in how to provide early therapy to groups of people before traumatic memories are consolidated into PTSD. A group approach can help reduce the numbers needing complex therapy later, reducing the burden on the relatively small number of trained EMDR experts.
More information about EMDRHAP on this website (www.emdrhap.org)
How many therapists have you trained in emdr specialist protocols?
Between 2017 and 2020 we have supported the training of 70 therapists who work in the not-for-profit sector. This represents a capacity to treat 35,000 people a year who are in the areas where those therapists practise. Our reach has been limited for budgetary reasons, that is why we are appealing for donations and Rotary Club engagement now, with the long term impacts of the Australian bushfires before us. In February 2020 we upskilled a further 53 therapists specifically in post-disaster protocols.
Can non-specialists get involved?
Yes, we have partners who have developed a training curriculum to enable allied professionals to undertake most of the group work in the early response to a disaster. We are developing plans for training in 2020, which also need funding.
How can Rotary Clubs get involved?
The program can be implemented as either a Community Service project in your own local area, or as an International Service project for implementation in other countries - especially those which are prone to natural disasters or have suffered internal conflict or war. We plan to arrange for delivery in refugee Camps and after Disasters as well, and these projects will need sponsorship by an overseas Club. And you or your Club can donate here.
To learn more about how you and your Club can be a part of a Healing the Hurt project, please contact us using this form:
Breaking the Family Violence Cycle
is our principal objective, and Healing the Hurt is one program that can help in achieving this interruption, by reducing the number of traumatised individuals in our society through making the relevant training more widely available to therapists.