EMDR Therapy for Children

EMDR therapy is an evidence based intervention for addressing and resolving symptoms related to exposure to trauma, negative life experiences and more. (Feel free to explore our previous blog post to understand the basics of EMDR therapy and to learn how EMDR therapy is different from other forms of therapy. ) 

But what about EMDR therapy for children? Could your child benefit from working with an EMDR therapist? Today, we will take a look at a few of the commonly asked questions from parents and care givers as they consider if EMDR therapy may be  a good choice for their child, teen or family. 

 Can EMDR therapy really be used with kids? The answer is Yes! There is an abundance of research validating the effectiveness of the use of EMDR therapy with children as young as 3. (And even younger with some modified protocols and special training.) Depending on age, slight modifications are used. For very young children, EMDR therapy can be combined with elements of play therapy for developmentally appropriate processing (and hopefully a dose of fun- EMDR therapy does not have to be all work and no play). For older children, tweens, and teens many modifications can be made to keep them engaged, and get the work done. Anything from art to sand trays to action figures and even specifically designed EMDR therapy board games can be used to make processing effective, possible, and most of all, fun. 

But what if my child has not been abused or exposed to trauma? This is a great question and one that we hear often in the counseling setting. In order to address this question, we must address the definition of trauma in which we are using. Often times, we associate trauma with things like abuse, car accidents, violence, and movie-like scenes of horror. The reality is, any event that surpasses our ability to cope and makes sense out of the event at the moment, can be experienced by our brain and body as a traumatic experience. When considering trauma for children, we have to consider their ability to cope, their resources, their ability to make sense out of hard situations, and their developmental understanding of what they may be going through. Common events that may cause traumatic stress responses for younger children, that may not fit the standard idea of trauma include things like medical procedures, the perception of being left alone or forgotten, family disruption, adoption or family separation, bullying, the death of a loved one, and more. Little brains can only make sense out of so much, and even with the best of intentions, sometimes these little brains can be overwhelmed and need assistance in processing through the events that they have experience. This is where EMDR  therapy can come into play!

What types of child mental health concerns is EMDR therapy effective for? EMDR therapy can be an effective treatment for anxiety, grief, emotional volatility (you know when those big feelings seem to surge out of the blue, the tantrums, anger outburst, crying spells,  or shutdown) attachment disorders or attachment disruption, mood dysregulation and impulsivity, adoption concerns, separation anxiety, and of course exposure to trauma. 

Can any EMDR therapist work with children? There are certain EMDR therapists that specialize in work with children and really work hard to make EMDR therapy with children something that they do well. Like any therapy experience, it is a great idea to look for a therapist with experience in your specific needs. Always know that it is okay to ask questions about the therapist's training, specialties, and experience. If it is not a good fit, it is okay to keep looking or try another therapist. Finding the right person to help you and your child is important

Are you located in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Grand Prairie, or Mansfield area and looking for EMDR therapy for your child or teen? Or are you located in the state of Texas and are the parent of a teen that may be interested in online trauma therapy or online therapy service? We offer EMDR and trauma therapy service in our Arlington, Tx based counseling office?  Our team is ready to help. Contact us today to see if a member of our team may be the right choice to join your team in supporting your family and their mental health needs.