What’s the Difference Between Crisis Response and Early Intervention?

 

 

 

Transcript

[INTRO]

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Scaling Up Your Impact, the podcast for trauma-informed therapists who want to make a difference without burning out. I’m Kelly Smyth-Dent, founder of Scaling Up, and today we’re diving into two powerful group interventions that can change the way you respond to trauma in communities: ASSYST-G and EMDR-IGTP.

We’ll talk about what they are, when to use each one, and how they fit into the larger humanitarian mental health landscape. You’ll leave this episode understanding not just the differences, but also how they can work together to support recovery after disasters, crises, or collective trauma.

[Segment 1 – Setting the Stage: Why Timing Matters]

When we respond to trauma—whether it’s a natural disaster, mass violence, a humanitarian crisis, or even a workplace tragedy—timing is critical.

In humanitarian mental health, we generally distinguish between:

• Crisis Response – the immediate phase right after the event
• Early Intervention – the recovery phase, typically three months after the event
  Why the distinction? Because the brain and nervous system respond differently depending on how recently the trauma occurred.
• Immediately after an event, people are often in acute stress—high arousal, intrusive imagery, sleep disruption, physical symptoms.
• Months later, symptoms may shift—some people will have recovered naturally, but others may be stuck with ongoing trauma responses.

And this is where ASSYST-G and EMDR-IGTP come in. Each is designed for a specific moment in the recovery timeline, using different approaches to meet people exactly where they are.

[Segment 2 – Crisis Response & ASSYST-G]

Let’s start with Crisis Response.

This is immediately after the traumatic event—within hours, days, or the first few weeks. The focus here is stabilization & triage—reducing intrusive physiological symptoms and restoring enough nervous system regulation so that people can function in the short term.

This is where the Acute Stress Syndrome Stabilization Group Protocol, or ASSYST-G, shines.

What it is:

ASSYST-G is a group intervention adapted from the individual ASSYST protocol. It’s designed to be rapid, scalable, and usable even in chaotic or resource-limited settings. It neutralizes the acute physiological symptoms of trauma—the racing heart, hypervigilance, flashbacks—that can derail recovery if left untreated.

Why it’s powerful:

• It’s a treatment intervention, not just coping skills training.
• Research shows it can help prevent the development of PTSD when used promptly.
• It can be delivered to large groups—dozens or even hundreds—by trained clinicians.

What it looks like:

You gather a group affected by the same type of event—survivors, first responders, or community members—and lead them through a structured process that uses bilateral stimulation in a contained, safe way. The goal isn’t deep trauma processing—it’s stabilization.

ASSYST-G says, “We’re not diving into the whole story right now. We’re taking the sting out of the most intense symptoms so you can rest, eat, sleep, and get through the next day.”

[Segment 3 – Early Intervention & EMDR-IGTP]

Now let’s fast-forward three months after the traumatic event. This is the Early Intervention phase.

By this point, the acute stress response has typically subsided. Many people will have naturally recovered. But for some, symptoms persist: flashbacks, avoidance, hyperarousal, or emotional numbing. This is where trauma processing can be more effective and sustainable.

Enter the EMDR-Integrative Group Treatment Protocol, or EMDR-IGTP.

What it is:

EMDR-IGTP is a group adaptation of EMDR therapy, originally developed by Dr. Ignacio “Nacho” Jarero during the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Mexico. It combines a modified EMDR 8-phase model with group therapy principles and creative, non-verbal elements—like drawing—to help participants safely access and process trauma memories. It utilizes a team of providers – the therapist and Emotional Protection Team (EPT) members to provide individualized support when needed. The EMDR-IGTP is the most researched group EMDR protocol in the early intervention and ongoing traumatic stress field.

Why it’s powerful:

• It allows for progressive processing over time, often across multiple group sessions.
• It’s culturally adaptable—you can modify language, metaphors, and activities to fit local norms.
• It’s effective for collective trauma—people see that others have survived and are healing alongside them.
• It can be used in situations where the traumatic event is ongoing or doesn’t have a distinct “end” in sight.

What it looks like:

Participants work through the EMDR phases together in a structured group format. Instead of verbalizing all details, they often use visual or symbolic representations (through a type of art therapy), which increases safety and accessibility.

And unlike ASSYST-G, the focus here is on resolving and reprocessing the trauma—not just calming the nervous system.

[Segment 4 – Key Differences at a Glance]

To make it crystal clear, here’s how these two interventions differ:

ASSYST-G (Crisis Response):

Timing: Used immediately after trauma
Goal: Stabilize and help prevent the onset of PTSD
Symptom focus: Designed for acute stress symptoms
Structure: Short-term, often a single session
Depth: Focused on symptom neutralization, not deep processing
EMDR-IGTP (Early Intervention):

Timing: Used about three months after trauma
Goal: Facilitate trauma processing and resolution
Symptom focus: Targets ongoing PTSD or trauma symptoms
Structure: Delivered across multiple, progressive sessions
Think of ASSYST-G as emergency care for the nervous system, and EMDR-IGTP as rehabilitation and healing once the initial crisis has passed.

[Segment 5 – Why Therapists Should Learn Both]

If you work in trauma—whether in humanitarian aid, community mental health, schools, or private practice—having both of these protocols in your toolkit makes you incredibly versatile.

Why?

• You can meet needs immediately after a crisis, when access to individual therapy may be impossible.
• You can return months later and help survivors truly process the event once they’re ready.
• You can scale your impact—helping dozens or even hundreds of people in a short time.
• And from a professional standpoint, being trained in both positions you as a resource in disaster response networks, NGOs, and even government contracts.

At Scaling Up, we teach both:

• ASSYST Complete Online Training covers ASSYST-G and other applications.
• EMDR GAP Training – advanced EMDR training that covers the ASSYST and EMDR-IGTP alongside other advanced protocols

Learning them doesn’t just add to your skillset—it expands your ability to be where the need is, when the need is greatest.

[OUTRO]

To sum it up:

ASSYST-G is your go-to immediately after a traumatic event to calm acute symptoms and prevent PTSD. Any mental health clinician can learn and offer it.

EMDR-IGTP is your early intervention approach three months later, for deep processing and long-term healing. Designed for EMDR trained therapists.

Both are structured, research-backed, and adaptable to diverse cultures and settings. And both are about scaling up your impact where it’s needed most.

If you want to get trained in these life-changing group protocols, check out our ASSYST and EMDR GAP trainings at scalingupemdr.com. The communities you serve will thank you.

We also offer a free Crisis Response Preparedness Package on our website – link will be in the show notes, so make sure to check those out on our website.

Until next time—take care of yourself, and keep showing up for the work that matters.