For Therapists Working with War and Disaster Victims

EMDR has been declared a first line treatment by the US Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs, and the mental health departments of Northern Ireland, and of Israel. For a review of relevant studies: http://www.EMDRHAP.org/researchandresources.htm

Clinically relevant combat studies

For chronic PTSD (As noted on the DVA/DOD guidelines sufficient treatment time must be given)

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.

Silver, S.M., Brooks, A., & Obenchain, J. (1995). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment of Vietnam war veterans with PTSD: Comparative effects with biofeedback and relaxation training. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 8, 337-342.

For Acute Stress Disorder and Acute PTSD (Iraqi War Veterans within days of evacuation)

Russell, M.C. (in press). Treating combat-related stress disorders: A multiple case study utilizing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) with battlefield casualties from the Iraqi war. Military Psychology.

Evaluation of EMDR treatment after September 11th attack:

Silver, S.M., Rogers,S., Knipe, J., & Colelli, G. (in press). EMDR therapy following the 9/11 terrorist attacks: A community-based intervention project in New York City. International Journal of Stress Management.

Preliminary reports of a group protocol for children indicate that it has been used successfully in Europe and Latin America after natural and man-made disasters

Fernandez, I., Gallinari, E., Lorenzetti, A. (2004) A school- based EMDR intervention for children who witnessed the Pirelli building airplane crash in Milan, Italy. Journal of Brief Therapy, 2, 129-136.

Jarero, I., Artigas, L., Mauer, M., Lopez Cano, T., & Alcala, N. (1999, November). Children's post traumatic stess after natural disasters: Integrative treatment protocols. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Miami, FL.

Two additional studies evaluated the effects of the standard EMDR protocol and reported successful interventions after natural disasters:

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.

Grainger, R.D., Levin, C., Allen-Byrd, L., Doctor, R.M. & Lee, H. (1997). An empirical evaluation of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) with survivors of a natural catastrophe. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 10, 665-671.

The EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs is a non-profit (501 C 3) organization that has coordinated with many agencies to train clinicians working in numerous countries worldwide. It has also coordinated relief efforts following the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 terrorist attack http://www.EMDRHAP.org/ourefforts.htm

Mental health agencies can receive low cost assistance upon request. http://www.emdrhap.org

Suggested text:

Silver, S., & Rogers, S. (2001). Light in the heart of darkness: EMDR and the treatment of war and terrorism survivors. New York: Norton.