Authors
Derin Kubilay¹,
Alişan Burak Yaşar²,
Fath Bal³,
Canan Çitil Akyol⁴,
Aişe Sümeyye Küçükali⁵,
Şevval Çoban⁶,
İbrahim Gündoğmuş^7
1 İstanbul Gelisim University, Cihangir Mah. Oğul Sk. No:3, Avcılar, 34315, İstanbul, Turkey
²Private Practice, İstanbul, Türkiye
³Sakarya University, Sakarya, Türkiye
⁴Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Türkiye
⁵Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Türkiye
⁶Private Practice, İstanbul, Türkiye
⁷Ankara Etlik Şehir Hastanesi, Ankara, Turkey

Background and Aims
The increasing prevalence of trauma-related disorders underscores the
need for effective interventions to address their impact on mental health. Therefore, this meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of EMDR group therapies in alleviating traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety, and explores factors that may enhance therapeutic outcomes.

Methods
A comprehensive literature search (2010–2024) was conducted across MEDLINE, Google Scholar, EBSCO, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify studies evaluating EMDR group therapies for anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress. 25 articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included (N=1,175).

Results
EMDR group therapy was associated with significant improvements in depression (ES = 0.75, p < .01), trauma (ES = 0.82, p < .01), stress (ES = 0.77, p < .01), and anxiety (ES = 0.79, p <.01). Session duration influenced outcomes, with longer (e.g., 8–9 week) EMDR protocols yielding greater reductions. EMDR group therapy (η² = 0.993) surpassed EMDR integrative therapy (η² =0.047) for depression and anxiety, while the Flash Technique (n = 175; η² = 0.832) showed strong effects. Both children and adults demonstrated notable reductions in stress (η² = 0.487) and trauma (η²
= 0.993), suggesting robust efficacy across age groups.

Conclusions
EMDR group therapies significantly reduce traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression, offering a valuable intervention for populations facing diverse traumatic experiences.

Learning objectives
To understand the principles of EMDR group therapy, to develop evidence based mental health interventions for traumatic events, and to effectively mitigate depression, anxiety, and stress.

Authors
Gulsen Filazoglu Cokluk¹,
¹Toros University, Mersin, Turkiye

Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, have profoundly impacted the psychological well-being of adolescents, a demographic uniquely vulnerable to trauma. This study investigated the efficacy of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Group Therapy in
reducing PTSD symptoms and enhancing resilience among 200 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years, who experienced a recent earthquake.
Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an EMDR-Integrated Therapy Group and a Control Group. The intervention group participated in 12 weekly 90-minute sessions, utilizing EMDR protocols tailored for group settings, including bilateral stimulation and cognitive interweaving techniques, facilitated by certified EMDR practitioners. The control group
received psychoeducation and supportive counseling without trauma-focused interventions.
Outcomes were measured at baseline, post-intervention, and six-month follow-up using validated tools such as the Child PTSD Symptom Scale (CPSS), Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Results revealed significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and trauma-related distress, alongside notable increases in resilience and quality of life for the EMDR group compared to the control group.
Qualitative feedback highlighted the importance of shared experiences, with participants expressing feelings of empowerment and connection within group dynamics. The integration of bilateral stimulation and cognitive restructuring allowed for effective trauma processing
while fostering a supportive environment.
This study underscored EMDR Group Therapy's potential as a transformative intervention in post-earthquake settings, emphasizing its dual focus on trauma resolution and the power of peer-supported recovery. These findings advocated for the integration of EMDR into disaster response strategies for adolescents, addressing both individual and community-level recovery.

References
[1] Demirci, H., Bilge, Y., Emiral, E., & Şen, S. (2024). Enhancing recovery in post-earthquake adolescents: examining the impact of a psychoeducational intervention on traumatic stress symptoms and coping strategies. Current Psychology, 43(33), 26983-26996.
[2] Kenney, M. (2023). Integrating Group EMDR Into Current Disaster Mental Health: A Model for Practice. EMDR Group Therapy: Emerging Principles and Protocols to Treat Trauma and Beyond, 247.