Can EMDR therapy can help heal the effects of racism?
This study is a randomized controlled trail involving one online EMDR session (up to 120 minutes) on one negative racial incident. It is the first empirical study on any intervention for Race-Based Traumatic Stress (RBTS). Here is more info on EMDR and RBTS
This study is completely online.
The study runs from April 1-July 30th.
Each participant will complete some standardized psychological self-assessments as part of the screening process.
After the screening process, each participant will complete three questionnaires on possible stress and distress stemming from one particular negative racial incident.
Those randomized to the therapy group will meet with one of the team of licensed EMDR therapists (not Michelle Marchese) who will conduct one session of EMDR resourcing and processing (up to 120 minutes) on the one incident. Afterwards, participants will be sent a short email survey about their experience.
Other participants will be randomized to the control group which is essentially a wait list. They will have the opportunity to still receive the intervention later.
All participants will again complete three questionnaires on possible stress and distress stemming from the one negative racial incident within two weeks.
This study is unfunded so there is no financial compensation. It is a PhD dissertation project through the Smith College School for Social Work and has been approved by the Smith College Institutional Review Board. Michelle Marchese, LICSW is the principal investigator.