The Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol is a newly developed EMDR early intervention specific to emergency responders to help mitigate and manage the mental stress that accompanies First Responder work and help them stay mentally resilient on the front lines.
ASAP trained Peer Support Officers can help their departments support responders in the immediate aftermath of a critical incident.
ASAP can be used in both small and large group formats with the ability to mix multiple disciplines such as fire, police, dispatch, and EMS all at the same time.
ASAP can also be administered one-on-one to peers who are struggling with a critical incident or for repeated exposure to traumatic events.
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Supporting Resources for EMDR Early Interventions & The ASAP
What is The Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP)?
The ASAP is an EMDR based intervention that is used both as a screening tool and a therapeutic treatment for emergency responders to assess and care for their mental health in the immediate aftermath of responding to crisis.
The Acute Stress Adaptive
Protocol is Preferred By
First Responders Because:
- The experience stays confidential: no need to re-tell and relive the event
- Can be administered by a trusted peer in group or individual setting
- Shorter and more concise process aligns with the procedural training and skill set of emergency responders
- Clear worksheet, protocols, and follow-up care is created
3 Phases of ASAP Training For Your Agency
ASAP TRAINING PART I
Psychoeducation on Stress and Trauma
Part I of the training provides a basic understanding of Psychoeducation. In this phase, the training focuses on two sections. The first part enhances “personal skills.” These skills include
- Understanding stress and trauma
- Exposure to traumatic stress and the DSM
- Neuroscience of trauma
- Vulnerability; the need to intervene
- Why stress and trauma is different in First Responders
The second section includes all the techniques used in working with peers who exhibit traumatic stress. These techniques include but are not limited to grounding and stabilization exercises and mindfulness techniques.
ASAP TRAINING PART II
Part II of the training focuses on working with groups of responders and teaching them the skills and techniques needed to provide the mindfulness, stabilization and grounding techniques of EMDR early interventions. These techniques can be used in the day-to-day support work around common stressors, as well as helping stabilize and ground peers when they are feeling overwhelmed in the aftermath of a critical call. These early interventions are the cornerstone of safety and preparation in performing the ASAP protocol.
ASAP TRAINING PART III
Part III focuses on learning the skills needed to facilitate the ASAP both in a group format and during one-on-one interventions.
In this section, members are instructed on the history of the ASAP and it’s roots originating from EMDR trauma therapy. We discuss how it has been shown to help those who are experiencing or have been exposed to traumatic stress and ways to work through their symptoms in a visual way.
We discuss the requirements needed in the process of administering the ASAP in a group format and expose participants to the theoretical foundation of EMDR to understand the impact of using eye movements and tapping (bilateral stimulation) to enhance the processing of a traumatic memory.
The ASAP is broken into 2 phases. Phase 1 builds resources and screens for appropriateness to engage in trauma processing. Phase 2 focuses on the specific aspects of the traumatic experience, allowing participants the opportunity to reprocess the event and move towards a more adaptive understanding of the experience.
An important part of this training helps peers/facilitators detect if participants are ready and feel safe enough to reprocess the traumatic memory.
Supporting Research
USE THE ASAP
ASAP AFTER TRAUMA
Learn more about the research and effectiveness of using EMDR Early Intervention tools to reduce the risk of developing PTSD and other critical incident stress symptoms with research and resources from other Mental health and Trauma Experts.