Psychotherapy Using EMDR Technique on a Case of Post-Traumatic Stress –Victim of Natural Disasters – Flood

Abstract

This study aims to provide a clinical applied model for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) resulting from a natural disaster, through a case study of a 41-year-old man who lost his father during a sudden flood. The study relied on the case study method using a quasi-experimental (pre–post) design and the PCL-5 scale to diagnose and measure symptom severity.The EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) protocol was applied across ten integrated therapy sessions, including desensitization, installation, body scan, and homework assignments. Results showed a significant reduction in symptom severity from 64 to 22 points on the PCL-5 scale, with a marked decrease in indicators of re-experiencing, avoidance, negative cognitive changes, and hyperarousal. The Validity of Cognition (VOC) index increased from 2 to 7, while the level of distress (SUD) decreased from 9 to 1.The study concludes that EMDR is effective in the Algerian context for treating PTSD resulting from natural disasters and recommends expanding its use and training specialists in it.