Despite the potential benefits, children are often very reluctant to participate in EMDR therapy. Prescriptive play therapy for trauma involves a phase based approach with the goal of supporting trauma exposure/trauma narrative work. This workshop will establish 8 essential considerations in fully integrating EMDR in a play therapy setting, and examine the idea that active play may be the preferred avenue to access and reprocess with EMDR the implicit memories involved so often in complex trauma in children. We will use attachment theory and polyvagal theory to understand how to use grounding and attachment repair to promote the interoception of safety for the child. Finally, we will apply structural dissociation theory through the use of play and expressive therapy interventions to prepare and support highly dissociative children in EMDR reprocessing.
Presenters: Annie Monaco & Ann Beckley-Forest