EMDR protocols: R-TEP, G-TEP, CIPOS, DeTUR and more
“EMDR protocol” may mean the standard eight-phase protocol or an adaptation designed for a particular time, population or clinical difficulty. The acronyms are not interchangeable, and existence does not establish equal evidence for each one.
The standard protocol is EMDR’s main framework for assessment, preparation, target selection, reprocessing, closure and reevaluation. R-TEP addresses recent traumatic episodes; G-TEP and IGTP adapt work for groups; CIPOS alternates very brief contact with stressful material and present orientation; DeTUR was developed for triggers and urges in addictive behaviour; Blind to Therapist reduces the need to disclose content to the practitioner. Loving Eyes, reverse protocol, Flash Forward, restricted EMD and other variants address specific formulations. None should become a self-EMDR script.
Standard protocol, EMD and planning
The standard protocol retains eight phases: history and planning, preparation, assessment, desensitisation, installation, body scan, closure and reevaluation. A treatment plan may cover past events, present triggers and future situations without processing every target in the same way.
Restricted EMD keeps a narrower focus than full EMDR. Issue-driven treatment planning, Flash Forward, future template, reverse protocol and other terms describe decisions or adaptations; they do not replace formulation or establish that a target is suitable.
Recent trauma and group formats
R-TEP means Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol and organises points of disturbance within a recent episode. G-TEP applies related principles in a structured group format. IGTP is another integrative group protocol that may use drawings, symbols and the Butterfly Hug.
EMDRIA collects early-intervention research and resources, while studies differ in population, comparator, timing and quality. A tool used after disaster should not automatically be applied to everyone exposed or replace practical support and safety.
CIPOS, DeTUR and Blind to Therapist
CIPOS means Constant Installation of Present Orientation and Safety: very brief contact with stressful material is interspersed with reorientation to the present. An experimental pilot with 30 healthy volunteers found subjective changes, not definitive clinical effectiveness for PTSD or dissociation.
DeTUR focuses on triggers and urges within addiction treatment; the pathological-gambling publication was a four-person case series. Blind to Therapist permits work without describing details, while its paper relies on vignettes and states that quantitative evaluation was still missing.
Parts, Loving Eyes and assessing a variant
Loving Eyes and parts-oriented approaches aim to reduce internal conflict or avoidance within complex-trauma or dissociation formulations. Loving Eyes, all our parts, narrative methods, silent-memory protocol and similar labels do not necessarily share one manual, training standard or evidence base.
Ask what problem the adaptation addresses, which of the eight phases remain, what direct evidence exists, what training and supervision the practitioner has, how outcomes will be measured and what alternative is available. Avoid using PDFs or scripts to process memories alone.
Frequently asked questions
Do all EMDR protocols have the same evidence?
No. Standard EMDR for PTSD has the clearest support; many variants rely on pilots, case series, clinical practice or extrapolation.
What are R-TEP, G-TEP and IGTP?
R-TEP addresses a recent traumatic episode; G-TEP and IGTP are structured group formats with their own differences.
Can I download a protocol and use it alone?
Using scripts to process memories without assessment and clinical support is not recommended. A worksheet cannot replace training, consent, adaptation and safety.
Sources and scope
Informational content based on guidelines and professional bodies. It does not diagnose, recommend individual treatment or replace clinical assessment.