Treating implicit trauma: a quasi-experimental study comparing the EMDR Therapy Standard Protocol with a ‘Blind 2 Therapist’ version within a trauma capacity building project in Northern Iraq

Abstract

Psychological trauma is a silent epidemic which presents as a global public health issue, often in the form of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy is an empirically supported treatment intervention for PTSD and has been used as part of trauma-capacity building, particularly in lowand middle-income countries (LMIC). For some survivor's, their trauma experiences cannot be spoken of: they may be alluded to, suggested and though not directly expressed. There are several factors as to why these implicit trauma experiences are 'unspoken', for example, when the trauma involves a deep-rooted sense of shame or guilt, a distorted sense of over-responsibility or when to speak of the trauma engenders fear of retribution, reprisal and consequence. This paper will explore the effectiveness of using two protocol variations of EMDR Therapy-standard versus a 'Blind 2 Therapist' protocol version as part of a quasi-experimental study which took place in Northern Iraq. The study contains two projects and subsequently tested several hypotheses regarding safety, effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the 'Blind 2 Therapist' protocol within EMDR Therapy. Results indicated support for the B2T protocol intervention with various trauma populations including Yezidi survivors of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)-also known as Daesh.

Fast Feet Forward: Sports training and running practice to reduce stress and increase positive cognitions in unaccompanied asylum‐seeking minors

“…Underpinned by the EMDR group approach (EMDR‐IGTP, Jarero et al 1999), an early trauma intervention protocol, Fast Feet Forward (FFF), was developed by these authors to support unaccompanied asylum‐seeking children. Table 1 highlights how FFF differed from the standard EMDR protocol and the EMDR blind to therapist protocol (B2T; Farrell et al., 2020). Differences between the FFF protocol and EMDR include the following: Therapists did not ask about trauma memories as they were still present, and doing so would create distrust, feelings of uncertainty and questions around safety given the immigration status of the young people. The protocol draws on sports psychology thinking which presents techniques that feel less clinical and more manageable for young people to use when therapeutic support is absent. The presence of therapeutic involvement throughout the protocol to help normalise the experience of doing the FFF running and footwork and to be alongside the young people in their doing. The use of five phases compared to the standard and group protocol which draws on an 8‐phase methodology.…”

“…Underpinned by the EMDR group approach (EMDR-IGTP, Jarero et al 1999), an early trauma intervention protocol, Fast Feet Forward (FFF), was developed by these authors to support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Table 1 highlights how FFF differed from the standard EMDR protocol and the EMDR blind to therapist protocol (B2T; Farrell et al, 2020). Differences between the FFF protocol and EMDR include the following:…”

A Stage 1 Pilot Cohort Exploring the Use of EMDR Therapy as a Videoconference Psychotherapy During COVID-19 With Frontline Mental Health Workers: A Proof of Concept Study Utilising a Virtual Blind 2 Therapist Protocol

“…There are several distinct barriers toward the equitable provision and access to evidence-based, face-to-face/in-person psychological treatments, with a paucity of suitably qualified mental health workers to sufficiently address the global burden of mental illness and psychological trauma ( Farrell et al, 2020 ). With relatively few providers trained in the therapies underpinned by a solid empirical evidence base, those who live in rural or remote communities are further restricted.…”

Fast Feet Forward: Early intervention protocol using bilateral movements to reduce stress and increase positive cognitions in adopted children with complex trauma presentation

“…Table 1 presents the differences between fast feet forward and the standard EMDR protocol, and the EMDR blind to therapist protocol (B2T; Farrell et al, 2020).…”