A Developmental/Integrative Perspective of the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol

Abstract

The recent traumatic episode protocol (R-TEP) is an adaptation of the eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) standard protocol to the acute phases following trauma. In this article, the R-TEP structure and procedures were analyzed from a developmental/integrative perspective. It is proposed that the therapist’s developmental understanding and attunement can enhance the therapeutic dyad and can promote flexible decision making while using the R-TEP procedures. One case illustration of a recent trauma intervention demonstrates the advantage of developmental attunement in using the R-TEP. This perspective enables the therapist to pace the various styles of processing as they relate to the different stages of the memory consolidation process.