What is the SVS Protocol?
Group EMDR was first developed in 1998 as a means to scale up and increase accessibility of EMDR Therapy as an evidence-based trauma intervention.
The Sexual Violence Survivors’ (SVS) Group Protocol was co-developed in Aotearoa, New Zealand by Emma Sanderson and Ceit Robinson and features in EMDR Group Therapy: Emerging Principles and Protocols to Treat Trauma and Beyond (Eds., Regina Morrow Robinson & Safa Kemal Kaptan, 2023, Springer Publishing).
The SVS Group Protocol is an adaptation of Shapiro’s Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) to cater for moderate and complex trauma presentations, as well as recent and historic events.
It provides a framework for safe trauma reprocessing and the benefits of EMDR Group Therapy for moderate and more complex presentations.
For clinicians
If you are wanting to set up EMDR programmes, or incorporate the SVS EMDR Protocol into your existing programmes, we invite you to join us for our one-day online training.
For participants
If you are wanting to join a group, please see our upcoming dates.
You may be entitled to ACC funding to attend the groups, and self-referrals are welcome. Please contact groupemdrnz@gmail.com if you aren’t sure.
The format
Our EMDR Group Therapy uses the SVS EMDR Group Therapy Protocol to offer six sessions of EMDR Therapy over a two-part programme, co-facilitated by two or three experienced EMDR Therapists.
SVS EMDR Groups offer safe and confidential individual trauma reprocessing in a therapeutic group setting.
Part One
Week One is grounding, connection and preparation.
Week Two and Week Three are EMDR trauma reprocessing sessions.
Part Two
This group is for participants who have completed a Part One group.
Week One and Week Two are EMDR trauma reprocessing sessions.
Week Three is our future-focussed session. We help you to prepare for future challenges, building resilience and confidence in your own resources and strengths.
There are two or three therapists on hand for each session to facilitate the group and offer 1:1 support as required.