I have found that standard protocol with EMDR works wonders with just about anything a client presents with and wants to reprocess. I try not to get too bogged down with all of the adaptations that have been made from the standard protocol. Which is amazing! We love innovation and science!
I have found, however, some additional protocols for acute trauma episodes have been a necessity in my EMDR toolbox. Some include CID, A-TIP, ASSYST, R-TEP, G-TEP, and the Flash Technique. Each protocol has a specific purpose and the use of each one depends on the following factors: timing, setting, and client stability.
CID
CID stands for Critical Incident Desensitization and was developed by Roy Kiessling. This protocol is especially helpful with acute traumas and can be utilized within hours or days of the event. The primary focus of CID is to focus on reducing symptoms associated with acute stress. Desensitization of symptoms may also lend to smoother reprocessing with eventual standard EMDR protocol.
A-TIP
A-TIP stands for Acute Traumatic Incident Processing and was also developed by Roy Kiessling. This protocol is especially useful for those who are experiencing acute traumas in ongoing crisis environments. A-TIP can be utilized with individuals or implemented in group settings. A-TIP also allows for significant levels of stabilization, development of future-oriented thinking, and resilience building.
ASSYST
ASSYST stands for Acute Stress Syndrome Stabilization. This protocol was developed by Dr. Ignacio Jarero and can be implemented within hours or days as an early intervention protocol following traumatic experiences. ASSYST aims to stabilize the nervous system quickly and safely without requiring someone to verbally recount the recent event. That’s right: ASSYST is completely non-verbal. ASSYST is particularly helpful when someone is too overwhelmed to engage in trauma processing and when stabilization is urgently needed. ASSYST can be implemented in individual and group settings.
R-TEP
R-TEP stands for Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol. It was developed by Elan Shapiro and Brurit Laub. R-TEP can be used as early as within a few days of a recent trauma and about up to a year. It is important to remember that R-TEP can be implemented after the trauma event has occurred and it is no longer ongoing. R-TEP works with the entire trauma episode, not just fragments or parts of the trauma. R-TEP involves the client being able to speak about or imagine their trauma episode occurring.
G-TEP
G-TEP stands for Group Traumatic Episode Protocol. It was also developed by Elan Shapiro. G-TEP is the group adaptation of the R-TEP protocol. Typically, participants are guided through the protocol through the use of a worksheet that helps them find their own Points of Disturbances (PoDs) within the trauma episode. Similar to R-TEP, G-TEP may be implemented when the traumatic episode is no longer occurring.
Flash Technique
Flash Technique, or more commonly referred to as Flash, is a relatively new technique developed by Phil Manfield, PhD. There are a few other adaptations to the Flash Technique from other trainers as well (I was trained by Ricky Greenwald, PsyD). Flash Technique can be especially helpful if a client cannot tolerate standard protocol EMDR or any of the other protocols mentioned above. Flash is unique in that it helps to process trauma without fully engaging with the memory. Clients are encouraged to keep the traumatic memory “in the background” of their mind while focusing on a positive image, memory, etc.
TL;DR: There are different protocols in the EMDR space. Standard protocol is great and sometimes a little something extra can help clients with the reprocessing experience. The following may be able to help depending on client stability, timing of the event (s), and setting.
Comparison Summary:
Protocol | When to Use | Individual or Group | Trauma Type | Client Readiness | Notes |
| CID | Immediately after trauma | Individual | Acute incident | Moderate | Emergency/field use |
| A-TIP | During ongoing trauma/crisis | Both | Acute/ongoing trauma | Low - moderate | Resilience/stabilization focus |
| ASSYST | Immediately to days after trauma | Both | Acute incident | Low–moderate | Stabilizes nervous system, rapid protocol, no detailed trauma narrative |
| R-TEP | Recent traumas (days to weeks) | Individual | Single or complex events | Moderate | Structured trauma narrative |
| G-TEP | Recent or ongoing traumas | Group | Mass trauma (i.e., school shooting) | Varies | Scalable, semi-self-guided |
| Flash Technique | Preparation or adjunct | Individual, possible implementation in groups | Complex traumas/PTSD | Low (difficulties with EMDR) | Non-intrusive, gentle |
Please visit EMDRIA’s training calendar for more information if you are interested in being trained in any of the above protocols.
If you are curious to learn more about EMDR or are interested in beginning your EMDR therapy journey, please reach out to me via the Contact Me page on my website. You can also learn more about EMDR as well as additional EMDR therapists in your area by visiting the EMDR International Association’s website here.
Reminder: these blog posts are meant to be purely educational and/or entertainment tools and do NOT replace psychotherapy and/or other medically necessary treatments.