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Modifying EMDR to Help Children Resolve Trauma and Develop Loving Relationships

Timothy Ward

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Published in Trauma Attachment Tangle: Modifying EMDR To Help Children Resolve Trauma And Develop Loving Relationships

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Trauma-Attachment Tangle: Modifying EMDR to Help Children Resolve Trauma and Develop Loving Relationships

by Joan Lovett

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Print length	:	249 pages

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating trauma in both adults and children. EMDR works by helping people to process traumatic memories in a way that reduces their emotional impact. The traditional EMDR protocol involves having the client recall a traumatic memory while simultaneously moving their eyes back and forth. This eye movement is thought to help the brain to process the memory in a way that makes it less emotionally distressing.

However, the traditional EMDR protocol can be challenging for children to understand and follow, which can make it less effective. This is especially true for young children, who may not be able to verbalize their experiences or understand the concept of eye movement. As a result, a number of modifications have been made to the traditional EMDR protocol to make it more appropriate for children.

One of the most common modifications is to use play therapy techniques to help children process their trauma. Play therapy is a type of therapy that uses play to help children express their emotions and experiences. Play therapy can be used to help children to tell their story, to process their feelings, and to develop coping skills.

Another common modification is to use puppets or other objects to represent the traumatic event. This can help children to distance themselves from the event and to feel more safe and in control. Puppets can also be used to help children to express their feelings and to develop coping skills.

Art therapy is another helpful technique that can be used to help children process trauma. Art therapy can provide children with a safe and creative way to express their emotions and experiences. Art therapy can also be used to help children to develop coping skills and to build self-esteem.

In addition to these specific modifications, there are a number of other general principles that can be used to make EMDR more appropriate for children. These principles include:

Using a language that children can understand
Keeping the sessions short and focused
Providing plenty of breaks
Making sure that the child feels safe and supported

Modified EMDR has been shown to be an effective treatment for trauma in children. It is a safe and effective way to help children to process their traumatic experiences and to develop healthy coping skills. Modified EMDR can also help children to develop loving relationships with their caregivers and with others.

Case Study

The following is a case study of a child who was successfully treated with modified EMDR for trauma. The child, a 9-year-old girl named Sarah, had witnessed her father being killed in a car accident. Sarah was very traumatized by this experience and she began to have nightmares, flashbacks, and difficulty sleeping. She also became withdrawn and isolated from her friends and family.

Sarah's therapist used modified EMDR to help her to process the trauma of her father's death. The therapist used play therapy techniques, such as puppets and art, to help Sarah to express her emotions and experiences. The therapist also used EMDR to help Sarah to process the traumatic memories of her father's death.

After several sessions of modified EMDR, Sarah's symptoms began to improve. She stopped having nightmares and flashbacks, and she began to sleep better. She also became more engaged with her friends and family. Sarah is now a happy and healthy child who is able to enjoy life without being haunted by the trauma of her father's death.

Modified EMDR is a safe and effective treatment for trauma in children. It is a gentle and compassionate approach that can help children to process their traumatic experiences and to develop healthy coping skills. Modified EMDR can also help children to develop loving relationships with their caregivers and with others.

Trauma-Attachment Tangle: Modifying EMDR to Help Children Resolve Trauma and Develop Loving Relationships

by Joan Lovett

4.6 out of 5