Author
Dr. Karsten Böhm ^1
1Emdria Germany E.v.

Background and aims
Diversity and Transgender are discussed a lot in literature and newspapers in the last years. EMDR Therapy is based on humanistic point of views by Francine Shapiro, but diversity wasn’t directly named by her. Plurality is the future of psychotherapy, not a uniform “one fits all” approach. What does that mean for an EMDR Therapy? This workshop demonstrates the topic of diversity out of a point of view of modern psychotherapy. Many transgender persons experience traumatic events on their way to become themselves or by showing themselves in public.

Methods
In this practical workshop, EMDR is presented as a psychotherapy in the treatment of those traumatic events.

Results
It also reflects the new ICD-11 and how to accompany patients of gender changing operations.

*** Conclusions
The individuum is always focused and the aim of treatment is the individual development (Humanism).

Abstract topic
Diversity, Transgender

3 Learning objectives
• Demonstrate the use of the EMDR-protocol for diversity topics in speech and in small group work
• Create specific interweaves for transgender persons
• Differentiation between the use of EMDR in Diversity and PTSD
• Gender changing operations in EMDR to prepare and accompany

Authors
Sabrina Ciappina¹, Elvia Roccia¹, Giulia Zucchetti¹, Tiziana Geuna¹, Claudia Peirolo¹, Elisa Faretta³, Isabel Fernandez³, Franca Fagioli^1,2
1Pediatric Oncology Department, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
² University of Turin
³EMDR Italy Association, Bovisio Masciago (MI), Italy

Background and aims
Oncological disease in pediatric age is a traumatic event with a high risk of traumatization for the whole family. Since EMDR therapy works directly on trauma, we hypothesize a quicker and more effectively reduction of intensity than a standard psychotherapy. Our purpose is to make a comparison between the two methods.

Methods
We screened patients, siblings and caregiver at the moment of oncological diagnosis and psycho-oncological care (T0) with a standardized questionnaire for PTSD-symptoms: Distress Thermometer and Impact of Event Scale (IES-R). Some patients will undergo EMDR therapy (Experimental Group) meanwhile others will receive a standard psychotherapy (Control Group). The same process, with the addition of Post-traumatic Growth Inventory test, will be administered after 8 sessions of psychotherapy (T1).

Results
We enrolled 15 subjects. Data shows at TO significant levels of distress (mean=7.8) and intense emotional activation. The IES shows higher scores in items recalling intense emotions and flashbacks. In Experimental Group results in SUD are significant: already after 2/3 sessions of EMDR it decreases from 8.75 to 0.

Conclusions
Preliminary data shows the intensity of emotional activation at the oncological diagnosis that decrease after few EMDR sessions. Data confirms the effectiveness of EMDR in terms of psychological well-being and leads the way for future research on EMDR in pediatric oncology. Results of T1 will be presented at the congress.

Abstract topic
Psychoncology, pediatric oncology, EMDR.

3 Learning objectives
Efficacy of EMDR in pediatric oncology; reducing trauma since oncological diagnosis; psychological well-being for families.