Group Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Psychotherapy and Recurrent Interpersonal Traumatic Episodes: A Pilot Follow-Up Study

OBJECTIVE: To explore the acceptability and the effectiveness of an Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (EMDR-IGTP) for patients with a history of recurrent traumatic episodes of interpersonal nature. METHOD: Seven women were recruited from a Trauma Centre and were offered EMDR-IGTP, consisting of 10 semi-structured group sessions. Participants were assessed through a set of standardised clinical measures before the treatment, at the end of it, and after 1 and 3 months since its conclusion. RESULTS: EMDR-IGTP was well accepted by all participants. After the intervention and at 1 and 3 months follow-up, patients showed a significant reduction of dissociative symptoms, traumatic symptoms and improved emotional regulation. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that GITM-EMDR therapy can be a helpful treatment for people who experienced traumatic episodes of interpersonal nature and supports more extensive research in this direction.