P03-140 - EMDR training for mental health therapists in postwar bosnia-herzegovina who work with psycho-traumatized population for increasing their psychotherapy capacities

Abstract

IntroductionAfter war 1992–1995 in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH), whole population was highly psych-traumatized. Mental health therapists had no enough capacities to meet needs of population. They are permanently in need to increase their psychotherapy capacities. EMDR is a powerful, state-of-the-art treatment. Its effectiveness and efficacy has been validated by extensive research. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended it as one of two trauma treatments of choice.AimTo describe non profit, humanitarian approach in sharing skills of Eye Movement Reprocessing and Desensitization (EMDR) to mental health therapists in BH from Humanitarian Assistance Program (HAP) of UK & Ireland.MethodAuthors described educational process considering the history of idea and its realization through training levels and process of supervision.ResultsHighly skilled and internationally approved trainers from HAP UK & Ireland came four times to Psychiatry Department of University Clinical Center Tuzla in BH where they provided completed EMDR training for 24 trainees: neuro- psychiatrists, residents of neuro-psychiatry and psychologists from eight different health institutions from six different cities in BH. After finishing training process, trainees are obliged to practice their EMDR therapy in daily practice with real clients under the supervision process of HAP UK & Ireland trainers to become certified EMDR therapists. Regarding big physical distance between supervisors and trainees, supervision will be realized via Skype Internet technologyConclusionPsychotherapy capacities of mental health psychotherapists in postwar BH could be increased with enthusiastic help of EMDR trainers from HAP UK&Ireland.