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.
Keywords: EMDR; complex PTSD; group EMDR; interpersonal trauma.
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