As mental health professionals explore EMDR professional training and consider expanding their clinical toolkit to include group-based trauma interventions, one question consistently arises: What’s the difference between EMDR-IGTP and GTEP?
Both protocols emerged from Dr. Francine Shapiro’s foundational EMDR therapy framework, and they both obtain similar results of reducing anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms, as EMDR therapy does. However, the way in which the protocols are conducted are quite different.
The confusion is understandable—both are group protocols, both utilize bilateral stimulation, and both fall under the umbrella of EMDR advanced training opportunities. However, understanding their differences is essential for therapists seeking to match the right intervention to their client populations and practice settings.
This article clarifies these distinctions in practical, clinically grounded terms, helping you determine which protocol—or which training pathway—best serves your professional development goals.
EMDR Group Protocols Within the Broader Training Pathway
Before diving into the specifics of IGTP and G-TEP, it’s important to understand where these protocols fit within the larger landscape of EMDR training for therapists.
EMDR therapy begins with an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training—a foundational 50-hour program covering the eight-phase Adaptive Information Processing model, standard protocols, and individual client work. This training meets EMDRIA training standards and prepares clinicians to work with individual clients using core EMDR protocols.
Once clinicians have completed EMDR Basic Training and gained clinical experience, many seek EMDR advanced training to expand their scope of practice. This is where specialized protocols—including group interventions like IGTP and GTEP—enter the picture.
At Scaling Up, the IGTP is taught as part of the EMDR GAP Training:
GAP Training (Group, ASSYST, and PRECI protocols), which represents advanced-level EMDR professional training for clinicians ready to work with more complex or specialized populations.
GAP trainings, which you can explore further at https://scalingupemdr.com/gap-training/, are typically offered as multi-day intensive workshops and require participants complete an EMDRIA-approved EMDR Basic Training first.
What Is EMDR-IGTP (Integrative Group Treatment Protocol)?
The EMDR Integrative Group Treatment Protocol (EMDR-IGTP) was developed by Dr. Nacho Jarero and Lucy Artigas to address ongoing traumatic stress—situations where individuals are living with recent, present, or past prolonged adverse experiences. This might include populations affected by natural disasters, war zones, ongoing community violence, or systemic oppression.
IGTP is designed for flexibility in both group size and session structure. Groups can range from as few as 2 participants to as many as 150+, making it particularly well-suited for large-scale humanitarian efforts, community mental health initiatives, or disaster response settings. The protocol typically requires two to six sessions, depending on the complexity and duration of the traumatic stress being addressed.
Key Features of IGTP:
- Target population: Children, adolescents, and adults experiencing ongoing or prolonged traumatic stress
- Session structure: 50–60 minutes per session, 2–6 sessions total
- Group size: Highly scalable (2–150+ participants)
- Privacy approach: No group sharing of trauma narratives. Individual EMDR treatment occurs within the group setting, preserving complete confidentiality.
- Materials needed: Paper and crayons for drawing exercises
- Bilateral stimulation: Primarily the Butterfly Hug, allowing for full reprocessing with long chains of association
One of the most distinctive aspects of IGTP is its emphasis on preserving confidentiality while still delivering group-based treatment. Participants do not share their stories aloud; instead, they engage in guided drawing exercises and bilateral stimulation individually, supported by facilitators who move through the group. This makes IGTP particularly valuable in settings where trust and safety are paramount, or where cultural norms discourage public disclosure of personal trauma.
IGTP follows the eight phases of EMDR therapy but adapts them for group delivery, including a body scan to ensure complete reprocessing. Because it does not use positive cognitions (each participant may be at different stages of processing), IGTP relies instead on future vision drawings and careful clinical assessment to evaluate treatment effectiveness.
What Is GTEP (Group Traumatic Episode Protocol)?
GTEP, the Group Traumatic Episode Protocol, was developed by Elan Shapiro to address recent single-incident trauma with ongoing consequences. This protocol is ideal for groups that have experienced a shared traumatic event—such as a workplace shooting, natural disaster, mass casualty incident, or school-based tragedy—and need relatively rapid intervention to prevent the development of chronic PTSD symptoms.
Unlike IGTP, GTEP is more structured and time-limited, typically delivered in just two 90-minute sessions. The protocol works best with smaller groups (8–12 participants) and employs a worksheet-based approach rather than drawing exercises.
Key Features of G-TEP:
- Target population: Adults only, typically those affected by a recent shared traumatic event
- Session structure: Two 90-minute sessions
- Group size: Small groups (8–12 participants)
- Privacy approach: Group sharing is advised but not mandatory; participants have more flexibility in disclosure
- Materials needed: GTEP Worksheet (structured protocol tool)
- Bilateral stimulation: Butterfly Hug, eye movements, or tapping—with shorter chains of association compared to IGTP
GTEP uses positive cognitions and does not include a body scan, which distinguishes it significantly from IGTP. The protocol moves through phases more quickly and is designed for episode-level processing rather than full reprocessing of complex or layered trauma. Participants use a worksheet divided into sections (labeled A, B, C, and D) to identify Points of Disturbance (PoD) and systematically process each element of the traumatic event.
Because GTEP includes the installation of positive cognitions, it more closely mirrors individual EMDR therapy in its structure—making it a natural fit for clinicians who are comfortable with the standard protocol and want to adapt it for group settings.
Historical and Conceptual Origins
Both IGTP and GTEP have roots in early EMDR intervention research and have been refined over decades of use in humanitarian and crisis settings.
EMDR-IGTP emerged from the work of clinicians responding to large-scale disasters and ongoing conflict zones. Its emphasis on scalability, confidentiality, and full reprocessing reflects lessons learned in settings where mental health resources are scarce and cultural factors require sensitive, non-disclosive approaches. The protocol was designed to honor Dr. Shapiro’s insistence on complete reprocessing—including the body scan—while adapting delivery for group formats.
GTEP was developed more recently as a response to single-incident mass traumas where rapid, structured intervention could prevent long-term psychological distress. Its use of positive cognitions and episode-level processing reflects a more compressed timeline and a focus on stabilizing acute symptoms rather than addressing chronic or complex trauma histories.
Understanding these origins helps clarify why each protocol is structured as it is—and why choosing the right one depends so heavily on the clinical context.
Side-by-Side Comparison: IGTP vs. GTEP
Below is a summary table comparing the two protocols across key dimensions:
| Feature | EMDR-IGTP | GTEP |
| Intended Use | Recent events, ongoing or prolonged traumatic stress | Recent single-incident trauma |
| Number of Sessions | 2–6 sessions (50–60 min each) | 2 sessions (90 min each) |
| Target Age Group | Children, adolescents, adults | Adults only |
| Group Size | 2–150+ participants | 8–12 participants |
| Group Sharing | No—complete confidentiality | Advised but not required |
| Uses Positive Cognition | No | Yes |
| Body Scan | Yes | No |
| Processing Approach | Full reprocessing with long chains of association | Episode-level processing with short chains |
For a more detailed technical comparison of early EMDR interventions, clinicians may also reference this comparison table on ResearchGate.
Common Misconceptions About IGTP and GTEP
As therapists explore EMDR professional training options, several misconceptions often arise:
Misconception #1: IGTP and GTEP are interchangeable.
While both are group protocols, they serve fundamentally different clinical purposes. IGTP is designed for ongoing traumatic stress contexts, while GTEP targets recent single-incident events.
Misconception #2: GTEP is faster and therefore more efficient.
GTEP’s shorter timeline reflects its focus on recent, discrete trauma—not superior efficiency. IGTP’s longer structure allows for the full reprocessing needed when addressing complex, layered, or ongoing adversity. Speed should never be prioritized over clinical appropriateness.
Misconception #3: Group protocols are less effective than individual EMDR.
Research supports the efficacy of both IGTP and GTEP when applied appropriately. Group protocols are not substitutes for individual therapy in all cases, but they offer vital access to care in settings where individual therapy is logistically or financially unfeasible.
Misconception #4: Any EMDR-trained clinician can deliver these protocols without additional training.
Both IGTP and GTEP require specialized training beyond EMDR Basic Training. Facilitating group trauma work demands distinct clinical skills, including group dynamics management, cultural sensitivity, and crisis intervention competencies.
How IGTP and GTEP Fit Into EMDR Advanced Training
For clinicians who have completed EMDR Basic Training and are ready to expand their practice, learning IGTP and GTEP represents a natural progression into specialized trauma work.
The IGTP is only taught through Scaling Up’s EMDR GAP Training program (https://scalingupemdr.com/gap-training/), which covers a range of advanced EMDR interventions. EMDR GAP trainings typically include modules on group protocols (IGTP), the ASSYST procedures for stabilization, and the EMDR-PRECI for recent events and ongoing traumatic stress. GTEP is taught by various trainers and training companies easily found through a Google search.
Completing an EMDR advanced training in group protocols allows therapists to:
- Expand their clinical competency beyond individual EMDR therapy
- Provide care in settings where individual therapy is not feasible or scalable
- Serve underserved populations, including rural communities, disaster survivors, and those affected by mass violence
- Contribute to crisis response teams and humanitarian efforts
- Enhance their professional reputation and marketability in trauma-focused practice
EMDR training for therapists is a continuum, and group protocols represent an important milestone for clinicians committed to deepening their expertise.
Simple Guidance: Which Protocol (or Training) Should You Pursue?
If you’re trying to decide which protocol or training pathway is right for you, consider these questions:
- What populations do you serve (or aspire to serve)?
If you work with populations experiencing ongoing adversity—refugees, survivors of chronic violence, displaced children—IGTP training is essential. If your focus is on acute, single-incident trauma in relatively contained settings, GTEP is more aligned with your needs.
- Do you prefer a “top-down” or a “bottom-up” approach?
IGTP’s protocol takes a bottom-up approach with more focus on “where the client is feeling it in their body?” and GTEP takes a more “top-down” approach focusing more on cognitions and details of the story (or “Google search”) and process accordingly.
- Do you have experience with group facilitation?
Both protocols require competency in managing group dynamics, but IGTP’s larger groups and emphasis on confidentiality demand additional skill in creating safe, non-disclosive spaces.
- Are you ready for EMDR professional training beyond the basics?
Advanced training assumes foundational mastery of the eight-phase EMDR protocol and comfort working with complex trauma. If you’re still building confidence in standard EMDR therapy, focus on consolidating those skills first.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Understanding the differences between EMDR-IGTP and GTEP is essential for clinicians who want to deliver trauma-focused care with precision and cultural sensitivity. Both protocols expand the reach of EMDR therapy, offering pathways to serve populations that might otherwise lack access to evidence-based treatment.
If you’re ready to pursue EMDR advanced training and add group protocols to your clinical repertoire, consider exploring EMDR GAP Training opportunities. These trainings provide hands-on instruction in IGTP, ASSYST, and EMDR-PRECI, equipping you with the skills to make a meaningful impact in your community.
EMDR GAP trainings often fill quickly due to high demand and limited availability. If you’re interested in securing a spot, we encourage you to plan ahead and reserve early.
Learn more about upcoming EMDR professional training opportunities and explore GAP Training options at https://scalingupemdr.com/gap-training/.
