The EMDR

Protocol for
Recent Critical
Incidents
(EMDR-PRECI)

Ignacio Jarero and

This protocol is based on Dr. Shapiro’s (2001) Recent Traumatic Events Protocol and the

observations of Ignacio Jarero and Lucina Artigas during their many years of experience

working in the field with natural or human provoked disasters survivors in Latin-America

and the Caribbean.

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The EMDR Protocol for Recent Critical Incidents Script Notes

The EMDR-PRECI departs from the Recent Traumatic Events Protocol in response to the

authors’ observations in the field with survivors of man-made and natural disasters. The

following changes are explained below and annotated in the script.

(1) The clinician asks the client to describe the event in a narrative form from right

before the event occurred until the present moment. The EMDR-PRECI is often used

with disaster survivors six months after the event. Through Jarero and Artigas’

experience working with groups of disaster survivors in Latin-America and the

Caribbean, they observed that these groups seemed to have different economic, socio-

cultural experiences and government structures compared to the U.S. or Europe. They

found that in these groups, the impact and the memories (even 6 months later) behaved as

if they were unconsolidated recent traumatic events 2-3 months old or less. For example,

concentrating on /reprocessing one part of the memory had no effect on any other part of

the incident. Jarero and Artigas hypothesized that this is because a disaster is a

continuum of important markers: pre-impact, impact, heroic phase, honeymoon phase,

disillusionment phase, anniversaries, and reconstruction phase (Everly and Mitchell,

2008). Perhaps, the state dependent nature of the traumatic memory (van der Kolk & van

der Hart, 1991) and the continuum of stressful events with the similar emotions and

physical sensations do not give the memory sufficient time to consolidate into an

integrated whole. Thus, the memory network is in a permanent excitatory state and

growing with each event in this continuum. There has been no definitive research to

measure the consolidation process or to determine individual variables that may influence

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consolidation. It appears that the time for memory consolidation may vary considerably

(Maxfield, 2008).

Jarero & Artigas also observed that when they asked clients to recite the history of

the event, they actually described the event in a narrative form from just before the

impact until the present moment (even 6 months later). For them, there is not a day or

exact moment in which the original event memory finished and new stressful events

began. It behaves as a continuum often along the themes of safety, responsibility and

choice (e.g. what they were doing right before the earthquake; when the earthquake

struck; what happened when the tsunami occurred; feelings of being unsafe; how people

treated each other after the event that were upsetting such as issues of being attacked,

raped or others harmed; things they felt they should have been able to prevent and could

not; issues of loss; medical issues; concerns about the food and water contamination; how

they are effected currently; the economic issues in the present and future, etc.). These

observations are similar to Elan Shapiro and Brurit Laub’s (2008) Recent Traumatic

Episode conceptualization that recommends targeting the original incident along with any

significant subsequent experiences until the present.

(2) The clinician does not ask or probe for the most disturbing aspect of the event. This

recommendation is to avoid triggering abreactions before containment and safety

measures are in place and treatment processing can begin.

(3) The clinician does not do BLS during Phase 1 Narrative. This recommendation is

made as a safety measure for the client because bilateral stimulation -in accordance with

the AIP model- activates the brain’s adaptive information processing system, allowing

information from other neural networks to link in (Solomon & Shapiro, 2008). Therefore,

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 at this stage of the protocol, BLS could elicit dysfunctional information before

containment and safety measures are in place.

(4) When possible, administer a scale during Phase 1, before reprocessing, to have a

baseline measure when the client first comes for treatment and post-treatment to assess

effectiveness. This suggestion is in order to answer Francine Shapiro’s call to conduct

randomized research that will support the empirical validation needed to reach even more

of the world’s victims of disasters and to help them relieve their suffering (Luber &

Shapiro, 2009).

(5) The Butterfly Hug originated by Artigas is a self-administrated bilateral stimulation

method for an individual or for group work (Artigas et al., 2000; Boel, 1999). It can be

used during the EMDR-PRECI to facilitate reprocessing. It is thought that the control

obtained by clients over their self-use of BLS, may be an empowering factor that aids in

their experience of a sense of continuing safety while processing traumatic memories.

Patients can be instructed to use this method between sessions when a disturbing affect

suddenly arises (trigger, flashback, nightmare, etc.) and the self-soothing techniques

seems not be effective.

(6) Frequently after a disaster it is difficult for the client to achieve a Safe/Calm Place so

the following self-soothing strategies are easy to teach and learn and have high efficacy:

Abdominal Breathing, Concentration Exercise and Pleasant Memory Technique.

(7) The clinician says: “Mentally run the movie of the whole event from right before the

beginning until today and at the end please let me know the worst part.”

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This instruction allows the identification of the worst part of the event that then becomes

the first target for reprocessing, once the client has containment and safety measures in

place.

8) During the Assessment Phase, the clinician waits for clients to respond with their own

NC before offering one such as “I’m in danger,” if clients are unable to come up with

their own cognitions. Also, it is helpful not to ask clients for a PC or VoC for the

fragment because -due to the continuum of stressful events- it makes it very difficult for

them to find a PC for each fragment and this may increase their sense of failure therefore

adding more stress. Once the target is activated, desensitization is commenced (Phase 4)

until SUD=0 or is ecologically appropriate. Additional fragments are then elicited and

desensitized until all disturbing fragments are desensitized. Since Phase 5 is not

included here, working with the Extended Installation Phase is not begun until all

the separated aspects of the event or fragments are completely desensitized (Phases 3 &

4).

(9) Target and reprocess only Phases 3-4. After eliciting the Assessment for the fragment,

in the Desensitization phase, desensitize each separate aspect of the event and do not

include the Installation Phase (5) for the reasons stated in the previous explanation.

(10) Ask the client to visualize the entire sequence of the event again with eyes closed

and reprocess only fragments with disturbance. Suggesting chronological order is simply

a way to ensure that everything is processed. Depending on the circumstances (such as if

there are many fragments for each client, many people and few clinicians), the clinician

can ask the client to visualize the entire sequence of the event with eyes closed and

reprocess only fragments with disturbance.

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(11) The sentence, “And let whatever happens, happen” avoids the possibility that

traumatized clients misunderstand the instruction and try to hold in mind the PC during

the BLS sets, resulting in obstructed reprocessing.

(12) Over a number of years, it has been observed that the majority of survivors do not

reprocess most of the traumatic material during Phase 4 and, there is the same amount of

maladaptive material in Phases 5 and 6, e.g. there is not a sufficient amount of processing

after each set to decrease the maladaptive material. Perhaps, this is due to the continuum

of stressful events, the state dependent nature of the traumatic memory and/or the

continuing state of difficulty for the population/city/country, in general, resulting in many

ongoing triggers (people living in tents; difficulty with food supply; many injured people,

etc.). Despite the reason, it is important that this material be addressed and reprocessed.

As a result, we do not assess the VoC after each set as is the way it is done in the Recent

Traumatic Event Protocol (F. Shapiro) because it is clear that the material is not a block

but the nature of how the memories are held and processed in this population.

The following instructions were written down to remind clinicians to use them

while working in the field after a disaster as they may be tired, hungry, thirsty,

overwhelmed by the terrible narratives and/or finding it difficult to concentrate.

A) At the end of the set say: “Take a breath…what do you notice now?

B) If disturbing material arises say, “Go with that” or “Notice that.”

C) Continue BLS as long as the information is processing.

(13) Shapiro’s rationale for the Phase 5 Supplement Step is that if clients hold their PC in

their minds during the closed eyes review of the whole sequence (different than

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reprocessing during BLS), it is easier for them to feel if the PC is less true during any part

of the sequence. The clinician then targets that part.

The EMDR Protocol for Recent Critical Incidents

(EMDR-PRECI) Script.

Phase 1: Client History.

The numbers in parentheses show the rationale for the steps within the EMDR-PRECI

Protocol and are explained following the script.

The clinician asks the client to describe the event in a narrative form from right before the

event occurred until the present moment (1).

If the client is in great distress (e.g. crying and not able to speak) or has physical

complaints (e.g. headache, dizziness, nauseas, etc.) do not push for the narrative.

Say, “Just give me a brief description of what happened.”

Identify a series of separated aspects of the event (fragments).

Say, “Without details, please tell me about the different aspects of what happened to you

that are standing out for you.”

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Note: Do not ask or probe for the most disturbing aspects of the event (2) or do BLS

during this phase (3).

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When possible administer a scale (e.g. IES, IES-R) pre-reprocessing to have baseline

measure and post-treatment to assess effectiveness (4).

Phase 2: Preparation.

Screen the client to make sure appropriate candidate for EMDR.

Does the client exhibit:

Life-threatening substance abuse YES NO

Educate the client about EMDR.

Say, ““When a disturbing event occurs, it can get locked in the brain with the original

picture, sounds, thoughts, feelings and body sensations. EMDR seems to stimulate the

information and allows the brain to reprocess the experience. That may be what is

happening in REM or dream sleep. The eye movements (tones, tactile, Butterfly Hug)

may help to process the unconscious material. It is your own brain that will be doing the

healing and you are the one in control.”

Instruct the client in the mechanics of EMDR, also including the Butterfly Hug (5).

Say, “Cross your arms over your chest, so that the middle finger from each hand will be

placed below the collarbone and the rest of the fingers and hand will cover the area that

is located under the connection between the collarbone and the shoulder and the

collarbone and sternum or breastbone. Hands and fingers must be as vertical as possible

(fingers toward the neck and not toward the arms). Once you do this you can interlock

your thumbs (forming the body of the butterfly) and the extension of your other fingers

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outward will form the butterfly's wings. Your eyes can be closed or partially closed

looking toward the tip of your nose. Next you alternate the movement of your hands,

simulating the flapping wings of a butterfly. You breathe slowly and deeply (abdominal

breathing), while you observe what is going through your mind and body (cognitions,

images, sounds, odors, affect and physical sensations) without changing, repressing or

judging. You can pretend as though what you are observing is like clouds passing by (for

the Butterfly Hug scripted protocol, see Artigas & Jarero, 2009).

Teach the client self-soothing strategies such as Abdominal Breathing, Concentration

Exercise and/or and the Pleasant Memory Technique. (6)

Abdominal Breathing.

Say, “Close your eyes put one hand on your stomach and imagine that you have a

balloon inside your stomach. Now, inhale and see how the balloon grows and moves your

hand up. Now you can exhale and see how the balloon deflates, and, your hand goes

down. Put all your attention in that. If anything distracts you gently return to the

exercise”

Do this exercise for 5 minutes.

Concentration Exercise.

Say, “While doing the abdominal breathing mentally repeat: I know I’m inhaling...I know

I’m exhaling. Put all your attention in that. If anything distracts you, gently return to the

exercise.”

Do this exercise for 5 minutes.

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Pleasant Memory.

Say, “Remember a time when you were calm or happy...put your hand in your

chest...expand those good feelings and physical sensations in your body. Put all your

attention on that. If anything distracts you gently return to the exercise”.

Do this exercise for 5 minutes.

Phase 3: Assessment.

Run the movie to establish the first target.

Say, “Mentally run the movie of the whole event from right before the beginning until

today and at the end please let me know the worst part, the worst fragment.” (7)

______

Access the Image, Negative Cognition, Emotion, SUDs, and location of physical

sensation (8) and processed in the order indicated below:

_____________________________________________________________________

Picture.

Say, “What picture represents the disturbing aspect or moment of the event?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

If there are many choices or if the client becomes confused, the clinician assists by asking

the following:

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Say, “What picture represents the most traumatic moment of the event?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

When a picture is unavailable, the clinician merely invites the client to do the following:

Say, “Think of the disturbing aspect or moment of the event.”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Negative Cognition (NC).

Say, “What words best go with the picture that express your negative belief about

yourself now?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Emotions.

Say, “When you bring up the picture (or intrusive image) and those words

__________ (clinician states the negative cognition), what emotion do you feel

now?”

_____________________________________________________________________

Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD)

Say, “On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0isno disturbance or neutral and 10 is the highest

disturbance you can imagine, how disturbing does it feel now?”

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

(no disturbance) (highest disturbance)

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Location of Body Sensation.

Say, “Where do you feel it (the disturbance) in your body?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Phase 4: Reprocessing Sequence.

Target and Reprocess (9) in the Following Sequence:

a. Elicit worst fragment (see above)

b. Elicit other fragments.

Ask the client to visualize the entire sequence of the event again with eyes closed and

reprocess only fragments with disturbance.

Say: “Mentally run the movie of the whole event from right before the beginning until

today and at the end please let me know any other part that disturbs you now.” (10)

______

Picture.

Say, “What picture represents the disturbing aspect or moment of the event?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

If there are many choices or if the client becomes confused, the clinician assists by asking

the following:

Say, “What picture represents the most traumatic moment of the event?”

_____________________________________________________________________

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When a picture is unavailable, the clinician merely invites the client to do the following:

Say, “Think of the disturbing aspect or moment of the event.”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Negative Cognition (NC)

Say, “What words best go with the picture that express your negative belief about

yourself now?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD).

Say, “On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no disturbance or neutral and 10 is the highest

disturbance you can imagine, how disturbing does it feel now?”

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

(no disturbance) (highest disturbance)

Location of Body Sensation.

Say, “Where do you feel it (the disturbance) in your body?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Desensitize until SUD=0 or is ecological.

Once desensitized elicit and desensitize other Fragments (Phases 3 & 4).

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Run the Movie.

Have the client visualize the entire sequence with eyes closed and reprocess it as any

disturbance arises. The client should have a full association with the material as it is

being reprocessed. If there is disturbance, the client should stop and inform the clinician.

Repeat until the entire event can be visualized from start to finish without emotional,

cognitive, or somatic distress.

Say, “Please visualize the entire sequence of the event with eyes closed. If there is any

disturbance, please open your eyes and we will reprocess the material together.”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Repeat this until the client can visualize the entire event from start to finish without

distress.

Phase 5: Global Installation Phase.

Say, “When you bring up the event, what would you like to believe about yourself now?”

_____________________________________________________________________

Check the VoC.

Say, “When you think of the event, how true do those words__________(clinician repeats

the positive cognition) feel to you now on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 feels completely false

and 7 feels completely true?”

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(completely false) (completely true)

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Link the PC and the entire event and add BLS.

Say, “Think of the entire event (or incident) and hold it together with the

words__________ (repeat the selected positive cognition), and let whatever happens,

happen.” (11)

Do sets of BLS (same speed and approximate duration as in Desensitization) to fully

install the PC (VOC=7).

At the end of the set say, “Take a breath…what do you notice now?” (12)

If disturbing material arises say, “Go with that or Notice that.”

Keep doing BLS while information is moving.

When BLS stops, check VoC until the PC is fully installed (VOC=7).

Say, “When you think of the event, how true do those words__________(clinician repeats

the positive cognition) feel to you now on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 feels completely false

and 7 feels completely true?”

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(completely false) (completely true)

If VoC < 7, check for a Blocking Belief.

Say, “What prevents this from being a 7?”

______

Reprocess with BLS whatever client reports until VoC=7.

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Supplemental Step.

Say, “Close your eyes, think of the positive cognition, and review the whole sequence in

your mind as you are holding the PC.”

On completion, say, “Does the positive cognition feel less than true on any part of the

sequence?”

If so, target that part (Shapiro, 2010 personal communication) (13).

Phase 6: Body Scan.

Run a Body Scan following standard procedures.

Say, “Close your eyes and keep in mind the event and the (repeat the positive cognition).

Then bring your attention to the different parts of your body, starting with your head and

working downward. Any place you find tension, tightness, or unusual sensation, tell

me.”

Phase 7: Closure.
Use the standard procedures to close the session.

Say, “We are almost out of time and we will need to stop soon. You have done some very

good work and I appreciate the effort you have made. How are you feeling?

Processing may continue after our session. You may or may not notice new insights,

thoughts, memories, physical sensations or dreams. Please make a note of whatever you

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notice. We will talk about that at our next session. Remember to use one of the self-

control techniques as needed.”

Three- Pronged Approach.

2. Reprocess present triggers with the client. Each trigger may be connected to different

situations that need different skills sets or information to optimize future functioning.

A Future Template is done for each trigger that is processed.

Process present stimuli that may cause a startle response, nightmares, and other

reminders of the event that the client still finds disturbing, if necessary.

Target or Memory—Startle Response

Say, “Are you having any startle responses to situations, events, or stimuli that are

related to this event?”

List for Situations and Events that Trigger the Incident.

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Picture.

Say, “What picture represents the disturbing aspect or moment of the event?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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If there are many choices or if the client becomes confused, the clinician assists by asking

the following:

Say, “What picture represents the most traumatic moment of the event?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

When a picture is unavailable, the clinician merely invites the client to do the following:

Say, “Think of the disturbing aspect or moment of the event.”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Negative Cognition (NC).

Say, “What words best go with the picture that express your negative belief about

yourself now?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Subjective Units of Disturbance (SUD)

Say, “On a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no disturbance or neutral and 10 is the highest

disturbance you can imagine, how disturbing does it feel now?”

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

(no disturbance) (highest disturbance)

Location of Body Sensation

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Say, “Where do you feel it (the disturbance) in your body?”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Continue with Phases 4 through 7 for the situation, event, or stimulus that triggers you

from above and any others. After processing the first triggered situation, check to see if

any of the others mentioned are still active; if not, proceed to the next question. If there

are more startle responses that need to be processed, go ahead and reprocess that

experience.

Future Template.
Clinician asks the client to run movie for the desired response to cope in the future.

Say, “This time, I’d like you to close your eyes and play a movie, imagining yourself

coping effectively with__________ (state where client will be) in the future. With the new

positive belief_________ (state positive belief) and your new sense of__________

(strength, clarity, confidence, calm), imagine stepping into the future. Imagine yourself

coping with ANY challenges that come your way. Make sure that this movie has a

beginning, middle, and end. Notice what you are seeing, thinking, feeling, and

experiencing in your body. Let me know if you hit any blocks. If you do, just open your

eyes and let me know. If you don’t hit any blocks, let me know when you have viewed the

whole movie.”

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

If the client hits blocks, address as above with BLS until the disturbance dissipates.

Say, “Go with that.”

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 Jarero & Artigas suggest that the EMDR-PRECI must be part of a community

based trauma response program that provides a continuum of care for the treatment and

management of individual and group reactions to shared traumatic events. This

continuum of care must be accessible to the community members and sensitive to each

participant’s gender, developmental stage, ethno-cultural background, and magnitude of

trauma exposure (Macy et al., 2004).

REFERENCES

Artigas, L., Jarero, I., Mauer, M., López Cano, T., & Alcalá, N (2000, September).

EMDR and Traumatic Stress after Natural Disasters: Integrative Treatment

Protocol and the Butterfly Hug. Poster presented at the EMDRIA Conference,

Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Artigas, L., & Jarero, I. (2009). The Butterfly Hug. In M. Luber (Ed.) Eye Movement

desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) scripted protocols: Special populations

(pp.5-7). New York. Springer.

Boel, J. (1999). The Butterfly Hug. EMDRIA Newsletter,4(4),11-13.

Everly, G., & Mitchell, J. (2008). Integrative Crisis Intervention and Disaster Mental

Health. Chevron Publishing Corporation.

Luber, M. (2009). EMDR and early interventions for groups. In M. Luber (Ed.) Eye

Movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) scripted protocols: Basic

and Special Situations (pp.277-278). New York. Springer.

Luber, M. & Shapiro, F. (2009). Interview with Francine Shapiro: Historical overview,

present issues, and future directions of EMDR. Journal of EMDR Practice and

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 Research, 3(4), 217-231.

Macy,R., Behart, L., Paulson,R., Delman,J., Schmid,L., & Smith,S.F. (2004).

Community-Based, Acute Posttraumatic Stress Management: A description and

evaluation of a psychosocial-intervention continuum. Harvard Rev Psychiatry,

12, 217-218.

Maxfield, L. (2008). EMDR Treatment of Recent Events and Community Disasters.

Journal of EMDR Practice & Research, 2(2), 74-78.

Shapiro, E., & Laub, B. (2008). Early EMDR Intervention. Journal of EMDR Practice

and Research, 2(2), 79-96.

Shapiro, F. (2001). Eye Movements Desensitization and Reprocessing. Basic Principles,

Protocols, and Procedures. Second Edition. New York: Guilford Press.

Solomon, R.M., & Shapiro, F. (2008). EMDR and the adaptive information processing

model: Potential mechanism of change. Journal of EMDR Practice and Research,

2(4), 315-325.

van der Kolk, B.A., & van der Hart, O. (1991). The intrusive past: The flexibility of

memory and the engraving of trauma. American Imago, 48, 425-454.

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