G-REP and the Science of Stabilization: Early Findings Point to Real Impact
The Challenge of Immediate Trauma Response
In the field of trauma treatment, one of the greatest challenges clinicians face is how to respond in the immediate aftermath of crisis; when distress is high, resources are limited, and individuals may not yet be ready for trauma processing.
The Group Resource Enhancement Protocol (G-REP) was developed to meet this need.
G-REP Within EMDR Early-Intervention Approaches
G-REP is part of a broader family of EMDR early-intervention protocols designed to provide timely, scalable psychological support following acute stress and trauma.
G-REP was developed by internationally recognized EMDR trainer Elan Shapiro in collaboration with Maria Masciandaro, Psy.D., advisor and faculty at The Center, along with a team of EEI TEP Suite trainers. G-REP builds on earlier innovations such as the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP), which Elan co-developed with Brurit Laub, an Israeli psychologist and trauma specialist. The Group Traumatic Episode Protocol, G-TEP, followed. Expanding the principles of the R-TEP to more than one person. G-REP was created as a resourcing protocol to further address the needs of those needing to establish or increase their ability to cope.
From Crisis to Stabilization: Why G-REP Was Created
These protocols emerged from real-world necessity. In disaster zones, war settings, and community crises, clinicians are often faced with large groups of people experiencing acute stress, many of whom are not yet ready to process traumatic memories.
In these moments, the priority shifts from processing to stabilization.
G-REP was specifically designed as a resource-focused intervention to help individuals regulate, ground, and (re)connect with internal and external sources of strength.
How G-REP Supports Regulation and Resilience
Rather than targeting traumatic memories directly, G-REP helps participants identify and enhance resources through structured exercises that incorporate words, imagery, and drawing.
This gentle approach supports emotional regulation, fosters resilience, and increases one’s sense of safety. These are all essential foundations before deeper trauma work can begin.
Because it can be delivered in both group and individual formats, G-REP is particularly valuable in settings where many people need support at once, such as schools, refugee communities, hospitals, and disaster response environments.
Real-World Application: Ukraine
The relevance of this protocol is evident in real-world applications. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Maria Masciandaro, PsyD., was part of a network of volunteers, providing remote EMDR-based support to professionals in Ukraine when there was an urgent need for them to be able to address the needs of tens of thousands of refugees at a time, with little in the way of a respite to recover from their efforts. She chose to utilize the strength of the G-TEP worksheet, modifying it as a resourcing tool.
Emerging Research and Evidence
Importantly, early research into G-REP is beginning to validate what clinicians have observed in practice. A pre–post research study led by Mary Ray, LCSW, EEI TEP Trainer and Senior Faculty at The Center, explored the effectiveness of G-REP with a sample of US-based EMDR therapists. This was the first study of its kind for G-REP.
The findings were encouraging. Participants experienced a statistically significant reduction in symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress as measured by the PCL-5 (a PTSD self-report checklist) pre and post G-REP, along with improvements in affect and resilience.
Effectiveness Without Direct Trauma Processing
While further research with larger samples is needed, these early results suggest that G-REP is not only safe and accessible, but also effective as a resource intervention that can increase if not restore stability until the situation changes allowing for more intervention as needed.
Notably, it achieved measurable reductions in PTSD symptoms without requiring direct trauma processing, underscoring the power of stabilization and resourcing as therapeutic mechanisms.
The Future of Trauma-Informed Intervention
As trauma-informed care continues to evolve, G-REP represents an important shift toward early, scalable, and compassionate intervention. It offers clinicians a practical way to meet people where they are; supporting stability first and laying the groundwork for deeper healing when the time is right.
References
Brislin, B., & Masciandaro, M. (2024). Group Resource Enhancement Protocol. In Robinson, R. M. & S. K. Kaptan (Eds.), EMDR Group Therapy: Emerging Principles and Protocols to Treat Trauma and Beyond (pp. 149-160). Springer Publishing Company.
Shapiro, E., & Laub, B. (2008). Early EMDR intervention (EEI): A summary, a theoretical model, and the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP). Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, 2(2), 79–96.
Masciandaro, M. (n.d.). Applications of EMDR early intervention in crisis and community settings. The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy.
Ray, M. (2024). A pre–post study examining the effectiveness of the Group Resource Enhancement Protocol (G-REP) with EMDR therapists. The Center for Excellence in EMDR Therapy.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) (DSM-5).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). (n.d.). U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) International Association. (n.d.). EMDR early intervention and crisis response resources. Retrieved from https://www.emdria.org