Elan Shapiro and the Origins of ASAP
The Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP) is a derivative of the Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP), developed by Elan Shapiro.
G-TEP is an EMDR-based group intervention designed to facilitate the safe, nonverbal processing of traumatic events using bilateral stimulation (BLS). Its effectiveness across diverse, high-stress populations—including first responders—established a strong foundation for adaptation.
With the gracious permission of Elan Shapiro, Sonny Provetto, an EMDR consultant and former police officer, modified the G-TEP protocol to meet the specific cultural and operational needs of first responders. This version, originally known as modified G-TEP , evolved into what is now known as the Acute Stress Adaptive Protocol (ASAP).
Elan’s endorsement of this adaptation reflects his enduring commitment to Francine Shapiro’s vision of innovation, research, and expanding access to EMDR-based care. ASAP retains the theoretical integrity and neurobiological mechanisms of G-TEP while offering a peer-delivered, responder-specific intervention designed for use in high-stress environments.
Elan Shapiro, Psychologist, became active in EMDR early in his career in 1989, after attending one of Francine Shapiro’s first ever trainings, and later served as an EMDR Institute Facilitator. He was a Charter member of EMDRIA and one of the founding members of EMDR Europe and of EMDR Israel. In 2003, he was elected Secretary of the EMDR Europe Executive Committee and Board, serving two terms until 2011.
He received the EMDR Europe Association 2016 David Servan Schreiber Award for his outstanding contribution to EMDR therapy, in the development of the Recent Traumatic Episode Protocol (R-TEP in 2008) together with Brurit Laub, and his development of the Group Traumatic Episode Protocol (G-TEP) in 2013. He recently received the Humanitarian Award from Trauma Aid Europe at the Dublin European conference, 2024 & The Francine Shapiro Award from EMDR Latin America at the Conference in Chile 2024
Elan was a member of the “What is EMDR” and the EMDR Research groups in the Council of Scholars. He has published over 20 articles on Early EMDR Intervention topics, and continues to write and teach on developments and refinements of the protocols.
