EMDR for Children & Teens
Can My Child/Teen Do EMDR?
In short - yes! Children and teens have been shown to benefit quickly because developmentally, their brains are more malleable and have less complex memory networks. As a result, memories are easier to recall and reprocessing often occurs more rapidly.
EMDR is an easily understood, sequentially step-based process that involves less direct questioning than other traditional forms of therapy like cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). Other therapies may feel interrogative and intrusive for some children and teens, especially those who have suffered severe or complex trauma.
Research shows that EMDR with children and teens can be helpful in reducing:
separation anxiety
impulsivity/tantrums
processing grief (e.g., from death, divorce or separation)
phobias
anxiety (including social anxiety)
depression
PTSD
trauma
abuse
natural disasters/COVID-19 pandemic
adjustment to life situations (new sibling/family members)
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Is EMDR performed the same way with children and teens?
EMDR with children and teens looks different than with adults. The complete eight-stage model of EMDR is adapted by highlighting their developmental strengths of imagination, artistic creativity and storytelling. In addition, play therapy and mindfulness is incorporated to maintain focus, encourage feelings of safety and increase core mindfulness skills.
All of these practices, together with the eight-stages of EMDR, create a therapeutic experience where children and teens can speak openly and simply about their experiences and receive relief from negative symptoms such as triggering at school or home.
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Do parents become involved in EMDR with their child/teen?
Parents are not involved in the EMDR sessions directly. However, a parent’s support outside of the sessions increases EMDR’s effectiveness.
Many children/teens will experience mixed up feelings during the phases of treatment. Parents can help their children by asking open-ended questions, showing non-judgemental compassion and being open and supportive to their child/teen’s process. Parents will receive support from the EMDR therapist to do this, as this is not as easy or natural for some parents as it is for others for various reasons, often because parents have experienced trauma or other challenges themselves. Often, the best questions for a parent to ask a child/teen experiencing EMDR are:
How is it going? Is it easy, or are you in a tough spot right now?
Can you show me how you do your bilateral stimulation (BLS)? Do you need help to practice?
How can I help you remember to use your coping skills?
Can you show me how to do a body scan? Do you want to do it together?
What are your positive/negative thoughts you have been working on? Are there any words or phrases you need me to help you remember?
You will know EMDR is working with your child when you see positive changes in thoughts, behaviour, emotions or understanding about events that previously would have aroused negative emotions of anxiety, shame or depression.
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Who will my child/teen be seeing for EMDR?
Presently, EMDR with children and teens is an area of speciality. Advanced training and supervision are voluntary but necessary to work effectively and safely with children and teens. As basic EMDR training often focuses only on adult populations, it is important for any EMDR therapist to seek out such training and supervision after practising with adults for a period of time.
At Spirit, Anita Sablone, RCT, CCC treats adults with EMDR and has engaged in advanced training to extend her EMDR practice to children and teens. Anita is actively supervised by a Certified Play Therapist who is also a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDR Trainer. While under supervision, Anita discusses cases anonymously with her supervisor to benefit from her clinical direction that focuses entirely on EMDR. Anita also brings expertise as a Registered Psychologist to her EMDR work and, in particular, her experience working with diverse cultures using a trauma-informed lens.