Legacy of Love: EMDR Therapy for (Wounded) Parents of Wounded Kids

The transmission of trauma from one generation to the next is an issue that motivates many clinicians to address trauma in their adult clients. Few approaches directly address the impact of childhood maltreatment on current parenting. This workshop guides clinicians to apply the Standard EMDR Protocol to work with these parents of traumatized children to improve parenting skills and reduce barriers to parenting. A review of recent research on the intergenerational transmission of trauma will be presented to substantiate the importance of addressing the critical issue of how past trauma underlies parenting responses. Clinicians will hone their case conceptualization skills, learn how to develop resources to improve parenting, and identify targets to reduce past trauma that impact current parenting and attachment. By focusing directly on the client’s maltreatment that impacts their parenting, clinicians will be able to support the creations of a healing home environment.